Goldstone Glass / Sandstone – The Stone of Ambition

Goldstone, also known as sandstone in some contexts, is a man-made glass infused with particles to create a glittering effect. Traditional goldstone is made by melting glass with copper or other metals like cobalt or manganese for color variation. It’s not a naturally occurring stone but is renowned for its sparkling appearance, reminiscent of a starry night sky.

Etymology

The name “goldstone” comes from its golden sparkles, though it contains no actual gold. It’s also referred to as:

Aventurine Glass due to its similarity to the natural aventurine stone’s shimmer.

Monk’s Gold or Monkstone, from a legend suggesting it was accidentally created by Italian monks.

Stellaria, for its star-like appearance.

Blue Sandstone or Gold Sandstone for colored varieties.

Cosmic Junction

Goldstone resonates with the Sun, symbolizing vitality, ambition, and manifestation. It’s linked to the sacral chakra for creativity and the root chakra for grounding:

Legend of Creation: One story claims goldstone was discovered by accident when copper shavings fell into molten glass, giving it its unique sparkle. This accidental creation is believed to imbue it with energies of chance and luck.

Modern Metaphysical Use: Goldstone is considered a stone of motivation, helping to achieve goals with persistence and determination. It’s thought to enhance one’s confidence and optimism, encouraging a positive outlook.

Techniques for Making Goldstone:

Melting and Cooling: The base glass is melted with copper oxide in a reducing atmosphere (low oxygen) to create copper crystals. The glass is then cooled slowly to allow these crystals to form, giving goldstone its characteristic glitter.

Color Variation: For blue goldstone, cobalt is used instead of copper; for green, chromium oxide; and manganese for purple, each altering the glass’s color while maintaining the sparkling effect.

Annealing: After the formation of crystals, the glass is annealed to relieve internal stresses, ensuring the goldstone is durable and less likely to crack.

Stainless Steel | Steel Finish

Material Composition: My earrings feature jewelry-grade fish/french hooks made from high-grade stainless steel, typically types 304 or 316L. These types are known for their high corrosion resistance and hypoallergenic properties.

Manufacturing Process:

• Material Selection: High-quality stainless steel is chosen for durability.
• Wire Drawing: The steel is drawn into thin wire.
• Cutting & Shaping: The wire is cut and shaped into hooks.
• Polishing & Finishing: The hooks are polished for a smooth finish.
• Quality Control: Each hook is inspected to meet jewelry standards.

Why They Don’t Oxidize

Thanks to the high chromium content, a protective chromium oxide layer forms on the surface, preventing rust. Molybdenum in 316L stainless steel provides extra protection against corrosion.

Magnetic Properties

Your stainless steel earrings may be slightly magnetic due to the manufacturing process, which can alter the steel’s crystal structure. This does not affect their quality or safety.

Hypoallergenic Assurance

The nickel in stainless steel is encapsulated by the chromium oxide layer, preventing it from coming into contact with your skin and reducing the risk of allergies.