The holiday season will soon be upon us. Avaia Artistic Jewelry has 3 orders on the go in Indonesia. We have some never seen before carved plugs and some silver inlay hanging designs that you will find no where else. In addition, we have a stone order on the way that includes some more of the high demand single flare faceted plugs and labradorite in larger sizes. Watch for updates on these orders in the upcoming months. In the meantime, join our Facebook page and tell us what you are looking for. Our customers are number one to us so we will try our best to find the items that you desire!

How to care for organic horn jewelry

Water Buffalo horn is a popular item in ear gauges and other body jewelry. Proper care of organics is essential. We are going to tell you a few tricks to help keep your horn jewelry looking new.

First, horn should be oiled with pure jojoba oil. This will enhance the colour and any depth to carving. It will make the jewelry shine and hide imperfections. Rub a small amount of oil into the jewelry, then wipe clean in a polishing fashion. Horn can also be buffed with a jewelry cloth. If there is silver inlay, this is an excellent means of shining up the silver without damaging the horn.

Second, over time the horn, being an organic, may absorb water vapor from the air and in the process warp. We have developed a method to restore your jewelry. What you need to do is wrap the item in a moist small towel or washcloth. Make sure the item will lay flat, so the towel should be square folded. Place the item in the towel on a flat, solid surface and set a relatively heavy item on top of it. A gallon jug of a liquid, such a bleach on top of the towel and leave it for 24 hours. After this time, check that the item has straightened. You aren't done yet. Now you need to place the jewelry in a heavy book, shut the book and pile more on top. Basically you are using a make shift press, much like flowers are pressed. Leave the item for a week or so. The shape should be restored!

Bone spiral gauge earrings

Bone carving is an ancient art that predates modern civilization and has provided us with windows into the past. Early civilizations worked bone for tools and functional purposes. Many cultures are known today for their bone carvings. In New Zealand, the Maori people developed their own artistic style that is recognized world wide. Tradionally, bone carving was used in New Zealand to tell stories as the Maori had no formal written language.

Today, the majority of reasonably priced bone carvings and bone jewelry such as bone spiral gauge earrings are made in Indonesia, Vietnam or Thailand. Both countries have a rich tradition in artisan wares and their culture is often reflected in their work. In Indonesia, almost all bone carving that is produced for mass markets is made from Water Buffalo bone. Water Buffalo are used as a meat source and all parts of the animal are used. The horn is involved in carving as is the bone.

Techniques for preparing bone can greatly vary. Ultimately, all meat, fat and cartilage is removed and the bone is allowed to dry. Sometimes it is also bleached. Tradional bone carving involved hand tools and polishing by rubbing with fingers or cloth. Modern bone carving involves cut into flattened pieces using a bandsaw or hacksaw. A design template is placed over the bone and stenciled onto the bone creating a pattern. Next the bone is rough cut into the appropriate shape with a jewelers saw, bandsaw or similar device. Once a rough pattern is produced, the item is ground using an electric grinding or sanding wheel to produce the overall shape. Smooth curves are produced by skilled hands which keep the item being carved in continual motion to produce a smooth finish. Final detailing is provided by an electric hand piece and treadle with a revolution of approximately 15,000 RPMs. Various finishing bits are used depending on the desired effect. The item is then sanded with a fine grit sandpaper. The last step involves polishing the item to perfection using a polish such as white rouge and a cotton polishing wheel on the grinder.

Faceted opalite plugs

Although often classified as an organic material, faceted opalite plugs and other opalite stone jewelry are actually made from a synthetic glass. To confuse consumers, there are some natural stone materials referred to as "opalite", however this is not the typical material used in the making of most jewelry, including plugs.

Opalite is a type of silica based glass that has an opacifier added to it to interrupt clarity and allow greater light refraction. It is also called Tiffany stone or opalized flourite. It is considered an ideal stone for meditation and communication. It can produce a calming effect.

Historically, the first types of glass produced that involved this process are today called "milk glass". In the 16th century in Venice, Italy, a new type of glass made by adding tin dioxide or bone ash produced an opaque or translucent white glass that gained in popularity. Other colours including blue, pink and yellow followed.

Opalite is a popular jewelry material because it produces a luminous, glowing, blue colour on dark backgrounds and in low light, that is certain to gain attention. Milky, blue tinted, white under bright light, it surprises with an amber hue when held up to light and viewed directly through the glass.

Opalite plugs can be faceted by cutting and polishing the jewelry piece at specific angles, creating a light reflecting brilliance, which makes them a popular choice for today's style conscience consumer.

Organic stone ear plugs in mahogany obsidian

Mahogany obsidian stone plugs are a volcanic silica stone of the obsidian family, which includes other common stones such as snowflake obsidian, rainbow obsidian and apache tears. It is a beautiful natural glass that takes a high polish. The colour is dark red with darker inclusions which is brought about by the high iron content. Mahogany obsidian has been used by ancient cultures and valued for its beauty. Native Americans and the Incas used it in jewelry making as well as the design of arrowheads and spears. It was also used in the stone ages in various parts of the world including Greece as a stone ideally suited for crafting weapons.

Mahogany obsidian is known as "the stone of purity". It is a protective stone and enhances positive outlooks. Today, many people wear mahogany obsidian to relieve stress and to allow positive energy channels to open up.

Visit www.avaiaartisticjewelry.com to see our mahogany obsidian plugs and other body jewelry

Iron Tiger stone gauge ear plugs

Tiger Iron, also called Iron Tiger or Mugglestone takes a beautiful polish showing off nature’s artistry. This is a difficult stone to work because of the three minerals that comprise it vary greatly in their physical properties. Tiger Iron is billions of years old and is composed of tiger eye, hematite and red jasper. Only experienced lapidaries can work this stone to show off its potential.

Colours flash gold, red, bronze and silver. Anyone seeing a well polished Tiger Iron piece of jewelry will take note of the exceptional colour display it reflects, even in low light.

Tiger Iron is valued for its grounding and balancing properties. It has protective value and can bring out artistic abilities and enhance creativity. Tiger Iron is known for providing strength, endurance and confidence.

Visit us at www.avaiaartisticjewelry.com to see our full line of quality body jewelry.

Red tigers eye plugs

Red tigers or red tiger eye plugs have far more interest than yellow tigers eye plugs. They capture a play on light that is absolutely brilliant. The nature of this stone asks to get noticed. Subtle until light strikes it, but then WOW. We have a range of sizes in red tigers eye plugs and tunnels starting at 6g and going up to 1 1/4". You will not find our quality at our reasonable prices elsewhere. Visit www.avaiaartisticjewelry.com