Mining the beauty of colorful stones Store features amethyst treasures
Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH)
April 26, 2006
Author: JUNE SCHARF; SPECIAL TO THE PLAIN DEALER

PLACES IN STYLE
Formations

What: Gemstone store specializing in amethysts.



Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, but amethysts certainly can be a close buddy.

A treasure-trove of these potential pals exists at Formations, a new store at Legacy Village that sells amethysts, along with other semiprecious stones, configured as jewelry and decorative items.

When shopping for a diamond, one looks for perfection, but with an amethyst or rose quartz, it's "the perfect flaw that makes them unique and desirable," says store co-owner Steve Karklin. Most of the jewelry he offers further distinguishes itself from diamonds by costing less than $100.

Formations' collection includes necklaces featuring large polished or natural stones hung by rope, leather or rubber. In many cases, matching earrings, pendants and rings are available. All of the pieces reflect the Brazilian style of jewelry, noted for its large size and sterling-silver accents, say the owners.

Brazil is one of the world's most concentrated sites for amethysts, and the partners have an operating interest in an amethyst mine there.

Now they operates a business in which they harvest and refines raw amethysts from the mine, then supplies the store and other clients worldwide with stones and products. Brazilians, who have a multigenerational history of cutting and processing amethysts and making jewelry, handle those tasks.

An amethyst's value is determined by hue and weight. The deeper the color, the finer the stone. Its singularity also is a factor and is something that separates it from more uniform jewelry made of glass.

Great beauty can be found among Formations' many stones that are cut into heart, teardrop and rectangle shapes. Many are set in sterling-silver frames to create elegant and sophisticated jewelry. Each item is one of a kind.

"People are so utterly fascinated by the idea of buying something so unique and different yet still in fashion,"

Scharf is a free-lance writer from Beachwood.
Copyright, 2006, The Plain Dealer. All Rights Reserved. Used by NewsBank with Permission.