I know folks in this group have some definite opinions on Fire Mountain Gems and the whole issue of how/under what conditions gemstone beads are produced.
I'm looking for some nice carnelian beads, and I've found some nice African carnelian ones at Gilbert & Frech. Does anyone know anything about this big, big company, or about African carnelian? All I know is that a) it has been mined in Africa since antiquity, and b) some of the good red colors are produced by heating the stone (which I don't mind.)
If anyone knows of some fair trade carnelian from Africa or India, I'd be interested.
All of this is in aid of a hare-brained project. I have an insane desire to recreate some of the lapis and carnelian jewelry excavated from the royal tombs in Ur. I have some gold leaf shapes. Gold-colored or brass beads I can find. I've located some Afghan lapis that probably comes from the same region--and the sale of which is supporting actual Afghani families. Now I just need the carnelian.
Monique in TX, anticipating playing with her latest bead acquisition--some really fun beaded fringe from the decorating store (on sale!), which will be disassembled into its fun little Indian glass beads