Gallery - Ma Mo Jewelry Design

GALLERY

“I adore Ma Mo, they have some of the most unique jewelry in Seattle made by the two owners Maurice and Morgan who are always extremely helpful, knowledgable and trustworthy.”

Jenifer M, Seattle WA

“We have been getting our jewelry needs at Ma Mo for quite some time. We bought our wedding rings there, after having shopped for quite a while. They are very helpful, courteous, and very knowledgeable about metals and stones. We’ve advised many friends and colleagues to go shop there.”

Robert D, Seattle WA

“It is obvious that Morgan and Maurice do what they do because they love it and are talented, and that’s it. They are your advocates and are amazingly talented and generous. Go to them!”

Shelby B, Seattle WA

- Jewelry in Paintings - (Highlighting men's jewe

- Jewelry in Paintings -
(Highlighting men's jewelry)

Take a moment to focus on this fine painting. A beautiful painting can easily captivate the eyes and mind.

A subtle expression, the pose of the subject, the colors used, then you notice details. At Ma Mo it's always about the jewelry!

The artist had to paint the jewelry. They studied the pieces before the brush hits the canvas. They captured the details so well one could recreate the jewelry just from the painting.

Painting 1:
A Goldsmith in his shop by Petrus Christus 1449
-The couple is shopping or selling? The goldsmith is weighing something.
-The shelf behind holds loose gems and finished jewelry.
-The window shopers in the reflection of the mirror, one with a falcon.

Painting 2:
Portrait of a man with a Rosary
Lucas Cranach the Elder 1508 German
- The man wears two rings, a band and then a possible star sapphire. If you look close it almost looks as if there are initials on the gem.

Painting 3:
Lukas Spielhausen
Lucas Cranach the Elder 1532 German
-Lukas wears a signet ring with LS, and a gold band in front. Perhaps it's a tad loose? It may be keeping the signet on tighter. Then a sapphire cabochon ring.

Painting 4:
Portrait of a Man
Circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder 1537
-This gentleman is stacked with rings. The coat of arms ring and multiple colored gems. His pinky has quite a stack.

Image 10:
A lovely book, Jewels in Painting
by Marie-Christine Autin Graz

All paintings are part of the collection of the MET Museum.

#mamojewelry #jewelryinpaintings #fineart #artjewelery #jewelrydesign #rings

Blue Gold: Turquoise There are several locations

Blue Gold: Turquoise
There are several locations where turquoise is mined. Each with different attributes and color tones.

This design I wanted a high dome, so I had it custom cut.
The color, texture, and size gave the statement I was after.
Fortunately the rough didn't have to travel far. It's from Arizona, USA.

The unique part of turquoise is the matrix. Each location has different attributes and colors vary from black to brown. Some have no matrix, this is considered gem quality.
However the matrix webbing or veins adds to the look and can add another layer to a design.

#mamojewelry #turquoise #bluegold #americangemstones
#independantdesigner #waxcarver #decemberbirthstone

The final Jewelry History post with a highlight of

The final Jewelry History post with a highlight of Decembers birthstone of Turquoise.

Edwardian and Art Deco are popular choices for engagement rings. They are for a few reasons but one being they can be found in good wearable conditions. This is mostly due to the fact the rings are usually platinum.

In 1903 the oxyacetylene torch was invented which could reach the necessary temperatures needed to work Platinum. This expanded the ability to create intricate and durable designs.

The last jewelry period to derive it's name from a British monarch, King Edward VII (1901-1910) image 2.

The Edwardian era of jewelry is known for it's delicate garland styles. The inspirations were taken from the 18th century, frills, bows, tassels, lace, and flourishes.

Image1: 1880-1910 France, Anoniem Brooch Rijksmuseum

The 20's, "Jazz age" and Art Deco. The name came from the Paris Exposition International of decorative arts and industrial modern in 1925. The Geometric, bold repetitive patterns and graphic styles. The bold use of gemstones creating strong shapes with color contrasting the white diamonds was very popular. Inspiration was taken from Egypt, South America, Africa, and the Orient.
The embrace of modernism in the designs makes rings from this era the most popular.

Image 3: 1029 Turquoise, Diamond, Black Chalcedony
George Fouquet, brooch/pendant V&A Museum

Closing the 20's with the rise of the Great Depression into the 30's brought a new wave in jewelry, Costume. The use of paste, silver, rhinestones, and plastics being more prevalent. Costume was fashionable and trendy. As the depression began to end and the industry recoverd, the new "fashion jewelry" trend became a permanent fixture.

We hope you have enjoyed our posts through jewelry history.
As we end in the 20th century 1901-2000, there are many distinct styles and trends we could pick out. But most of us have lived with those trends, or inherited some items.

What are some of your favorite eras or styles?

#mamojewelry #jewelryhistory #edwardian #artdeco #turquoise #turquoisejewelry #jewelrydesign

Who doesn't like Thanksgiving leftovers? Here is

Who doesn't like Thanksgiving leftovers?

Here is one for you, a commission from a few years back.
Pacific Northwest Coast native totem bolo tie with a natural nugget of Turquoise they found. No cutting of the nugget could be done, so that gave some extra challenges.
The size as well, incorporated into a frog.

Eagle, Frog, Bear

Being given the blessing to do native styled work a few times now has been truly an honor. A lot of learning and great reward has come from them. For that I am thankful.

#mamojewelry
#turquoise
#totem #totemjewelry #spiritanimal #northwestcoast #waxcarver #lostwax #sculpture #oneofakind #independantdesigner #jewelrydesign #pacificcoast #nativedesign #bolotie

Amulets, talismans, or charms, call them what you

Amulets, talismans, or charms, call them what you will.

But be sure that you have one, or two.

Man has always worn a small object for many reasons. Good luck, protection, superpowers, religious or spiritual empowerment, remembrance, health/healing, and wealth.

1: Ram head amulet of gold
712-664 BC Nubia/Egypt/Sudan

2: Antler/Abalone whale and raptor pendant
1840-70 Alaska Tlingit Shaman

3: Tooth pendants set in gold
4th century BCE Etruscan

4: Topaz intaglio of Hermes
1st century BCE - 3rd century CE Roman

5: Gorgon eye charm Gold
1874-76 Cyprus

6: Medusa Carnelian intaglio
3rd-1st century BCE Greek

7: Greek incantation in Onyx
2nd-3rd century CE Rome

8: Clenched hand with thumb between first and second finger. Rock Crystal, emerald, enamel, Gold
17th century Spain

9: Gold oil lamp with monogram of Christ
1870. Italian, Rome

10: Crescent shape pendant , Gold
1st-3rd century CE Rome

11: Rabbit, Silver with pearl eyes
Ma Mo original

1-10 are in the collection of the Met Museum

#mamojewelry #talisman #amulet #charm #christmonogram #crescent #gorgon #medusa #hermes #tlingit #amun #ram #evileye #tooth #totem

Some sets are just made for each other #mamojewe

Some sets are just made for each other

#mamojewelry #waxcarver #lostwax #weddingbands #weddingset #independantdesigner #modernbride #matchingrings #modernjewelry #style #twotone #design #platinum #gold #symbolism

Form and function, elegance and design This bol

Form and function, elegance and design

This bold hand carved ring has sculpted tilting angles shifting to soft curves creating fluid movement around the finger. Making a statement piece with comfort in mind.

This substantial ring was carved and sculpted by hand in wax, cast and finished by hand.

No gemstones, no engraving, just the elegant statement of bold sculpted gold.

#mamojewelry #waxcarver #lostwax #statementring #goldring #boldgold #architectonic #sculpture #independantdesigner #glowofgold

It's the season of the gourd! The candle burned

It's the season of the gourd!

The candle burned out in the jack-o'-lantern and now they are going into the pies, and muffins, and coffee.....

Solid silver hand carved pumpkin ring
(Spice not included)

#mamojewelry #waxcarver #lostwax #pumkinring #statementring #oneofakind #independantdesigner

Cats eye : the phenomenon resembles the slit pupil

Cats eye : the phenomenon resembles the slit pupil of the eye of a cat. Caused by reflecting light from included fibrous crystals or long parallel cavities or tubes in the gem.

Tourmaline is one gem of only a few that has this phenomenon. The chatoyant band or streak across the summit of the stone moves and the stone is turned about.

Just another option for the October birthstone.

1, green tourmaline cat eye

2, cat eye tourmaline all from Brazil.
GIA and Harold & Erica Van Pelt

3, microscopic image of the fibrous needles and a few crystals which cause the chatoyance

4, real cats eyes

#mamojewelry #tourmalinecatseye #tourmaline #naturalgemstone #catseye #catseyetourmaline #catseyegemstone #chatoyance #netsuké #octoberbirthstone

---Gold--- At an all time high, another record da

---Gold---

At an all time high, another record day
for this shiny yellow metal.

Here at Ma Mo we use Karated gold, 14k and up.
We also use 24 karat but that's a whole different post.

Karat is used to describe the purity.
Abbreviated as "Kt" or "k".
An essential factor in FINE Jewelry.

Look for the stamps. The higher the karatage, the greater the proportion of pure gold it contains.

Know your karat:

24k: Is 100% gold and is absolutely pure.

22k: Is 91.67% gold

18k: Is 75% gold and is recognized as the ultimate performance metal by the finest jewelry and watch brands.

14k: Is 58.5% gold and is the most popular choice in the United States. This is the minimum karat to be considered fine jewelry.

10k: Is 41.7% gold and is the least pure but can still legally be called gold in the United States.

Anything below 10k cannot legally be called "gold" in the United States.

If you bought a ring 20 years ago it would cost you over 10x's that amount today.

#mamojewelry
#finejewelry #gold #goldpurity #hardmoney #au #element79 #assay #chrysophilist #bullion ft

Ethiopian Opal: a few design ideas to ponder Thes

Ethiopian Opal: a few design ideas to ponder

These Opals are little colorful jellies and don't need to be big to attract your attention.

Strong design balanced with a fine lively gemstone makes a great statement piece.

All designs are hand-carved by me, as always

#mamojewelry
#waxcarver
#lostwax
#opal
#ethiopanopal #design #independantdesigner #octoberbirthstone

October is a great time to have Opals! Precious

October is a great time to have Opals!

Precious gem opals come from a few select locations in the world. Each having their own unique characteristics.
The largest deposits are in Australia.
They also come from Mexico and Ethiopia.

A true kaleidoscope of colors are found in this gem.

Image 1: Boulder opal pendant -sold-

Image 2: Prescious Mexican Opals

Image 3: Gem Australia Opal inlay with lapis ring -sold-

Image 4: A collection of a variety of Australian opals and an opalized petrified tree specimen

#mamojewelry #opal #octoberbirthstone #mexicanopal #boulderopal #giaalumni #independantdesigner

Gemstones have inspired more than just jewelers.

Gemstones have inspired more than just jewelers.
Writers, musicians, and poets also have gained inspiration from gems and jewelry.

One writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, (image 1)most famously created the character Sherlock Holmes. Published in the strand magazine, his stories of mystery sometimes involved a gemstone.

The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. A Carbuncle was known as a red gem, using the color blue gave an unusual twist. If you are not familiar with the story, spoiler ahead....
The gem was hidden inside a Christmas goose.

Other stories are:
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

The Adventure of the Mazarine stone: Yellow crown diamond

The Adventure of the Six Napoleons: A large Pearl

The sign of four: Pearls

The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual: a Crown of Gold

Actor Basill Rathbone was a notable Sherlock (image 11)

Jeremy Brett (image 12) revised Sherlock Holmes for a series by Granada. If you wanted to watch these stories we suggest this series.

Can you think of any other stories centered around gemstones? The Pink Panther?

Share in the comments if you have a favorite!

#mamojewelry #sherlockholmes #gemstories #sirarthurconandoyle #bluecarbuncle #mazarinstone #berylcoronet #sixnapoleons #signoffour #musgraveritual #liturature #gemstoneinspiration

Sapphires are not always used in jewelry. Object

Sapphires are not always used in jewelry.
Object d'art and some functional items are made more significant with the addition of fine gemstones.

Image 1&2:
Reliquary Arm of St. Valentine from the 14th century.
Silver, partial gilt, Sapphire ring

Image 3:
Triptych with the Mandylion
Russia, early 17th century
Silver, gilt, Sapphire, Rubies, Spinels, Pearls

Image 4&5:
Ivory carving of the crucifixion
10th century ivory, late 11th century setting
Silver, gilt, Sapphire cabochons, Ivory

Image 6:
Snuff bottle
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
This is from the 19th century.
Sapphire with pink glass stopper

Image 7&8:
Flintlock rifle
Mix of 17th century with 19th century decorations.
Silver, wood, Pearl, Sapphire, Garnets, Gold, Iron

Image 9&10:
Dagger with Sheath
18th century, India
Steel, shark skin, Jade, Gold, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Silver

All objects are in the collections of the Met museum.

#mamojewelry
#septemberbirthstone #reliquary #stvalentine #triptych #gemstoneart #snuffbottle #dagger #flintlock #decoration #art #objetdart

Excluding Platinum, Gold has been an emblem of Lov

Excluding Platinum, Gold has been an emblem of Love that you wear for the rest of your life.

No precious metal has been as sought after or captured mankind's fascination more than Gold.

Your wedding band not only symbolizes the timelessness of Love, it honors the tradition of marriage.

Gold is everlasting and indestructible.

All the gold that has ever been mined still exists.

Gold does not corrode or tarnish and can be subjected to the elements and intense pressure without being destroyed.

The oldest gold jewelry dates over 6,000 years old and looks the same today as when it was first given.

Malleable, yet strong, allowing a wide range of intricate and custom made designs.

Image 6: Antique
Wedding ring engraved, 13th 1862 can still be sized and worn today.

#mamojewelry
#weddingring
#gold
#goldring #weddingbands #betrothal #independantdesigner #finejewelry

It's a great month to be born in, September. Sapp

It's a great month to be born in, September.

Sapphires come in many colors of the rainbow and even with amazing phenomenon of stars and color-change stones.

One of our favorite is green.
There are many variations of green shown in picture 2.
Shades of yellow-green, blue-green, earthy-green, deep-green.

This would be a fantastic engagement ring or an equally fabulous right hand ring. Available on our website

#mamojewelry #greensapphire #sapphire #septemberbirthstone #modernbride #statementring #righthandring #classicjewelry #addmorecolortoyourlife #giaalumni #gia

A block of wax and some gold With a design and t

A block of wax and some gold

With a design and tools

Some heat and labor

Becomes a piece of jewelry

Happy Labor Day weekend !

#mamojewelry #waxcarver #lostwaxcasting #independantdesigner #finejewelry #lostwax #sculpture #gold #artofjewelry #jewelrybench

Jewelry History: The 20th Century 1901-2000 Ushe

Jewelry History:
The 20th Century 1901-2000

Ushering in the new century we had two movements that brought craftsmanship and creativity to the forefront.

The Arts and Crafts movement reacting to industrialization and mass production, emphasizing handmade artistry.
Along side the Art Nouveau movement, inspired by nature, sensual lines, exotic flowers, and plants. The designs were dynamic and asymmetrical with unexpected materials.

These jewelers said " the value of the jewelry lay in it's design, not the monetary value of the materials".
This caused a dramatic shift in jewelry design.

They selected materials for their aesthetic appeal rather than it's preciousness. They were after artistic refinement.
Thus we saw the use of glass, horn, ivory, along side precious gemstones and metal.
Great technical achievements were made with enamels especially plique-a-jour (backless) on undulating surfaces. This technique is the art of placing "cells" of colored glass with no backing creating a stained glass effect.

This movement was short lived, 1890-1914 roughly. The artistic refinement and use of unconventional materials has inspired designers still today.

1: Brooch of 18k gold, platinum, enamel, diamonds, and conch pearls. By Marcus and Co. N.Y. USA 1900.
Met museum collection

2/3: Dragon fly necklace, gold, enamel, diamond, hessonite garnet. By Lucien Gaillard 1900.

4/5: Celtic inspired necklace, gold, silver, enamel, pearl.
By Archibald Knox 1902.

6: Orchid, gold, enamel, diamond, rubies.
By Philippe Wolfers 1905-7.

7: Tiara hair comb, gold, enamel, horn, cast glass, and fire opals. By Rene' Lalique 1903-4.

8: Holly choker, gold, enamel, coral.
By Rene' Lalique 1897-1900
Lalique museum France

9/10: Dragonfly brooch, gold, enamel, chrysoprase, diamonds, moonstone, chalcedony.
By Rene' Lalique 1900-10
Calouste Gulbenkian museum Lisbon Portugal

Items 2-7 are in the collection at the VA museum

#mamojewelry #jewelryhistory #artnouveaujewelry #artnouveau #enamel #jewelrydesign

August's most recently added birthstone is Spinel.

August's most recently added birthstone is Spinel.

Often confused with Ruby, until 1783 when spinel was differentiated chemically from Ruby. Both gems get their color from Chromium but Spinel also has Magnesium, which Ruby does not.

Image 1&2: The Carew Spinel
133.50 carat Spinel drilled vertically with a diamond at both ends and engraved with inscriptions to the Mughal emperors, Jahangir (r. 1605-1627), Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1658), and Alamgir (Prince Aurangzeb) (r. 1658-1707)
Bequeath to the V&A museum by Lady Carew.
Images from V&A Museum

The most famous Spinel is the Black Prince Ruby which resides at the front of the state crown of England. The 170 carat gem is one if the oldest parts of the crown dating back to the 14th century. It has been in possession of England's kings since it's namesake, Edward of Woodstock ( the Black Prince) when it was given to him in 1367.

Image 3&4: the Black Prince Ruby in the state crown and Queen Elizabeth on her coronation.
Image by Cecil Beaton.

Spinel comes in many colors from Ruby red to vibrant Blue.
Variations of pinks, orange, purple, grey, and black as well.
Hard enough for daily wear coming just under a sapphire in hardness.

#mamojewelry #spinel #augustbirthstone #carewspinel #theblackprinceruby #historicalgemstones

Our favorite color, Green One of the rarest colo

Our favorite color, Green

One of the rarest colors of diamond.
Naturally colored green diamonds are among the most rare and enigmatic of the colored diamonds.

There can be several different causes of the green color in diamonds. The most common is exposure to radioactive material and fluid in the earths crust.

The colors grades range from faint to fancy dark.
Gem quality diamonds span a wide range of color description. The GIA fancy colored diamond grading system can include pure green, dominant green, and mixed with blue, brown, grey, and yellow.

Photo 1: a few natural colored diamonds in our collection
Photos 2-3: taken from gems and gemology magazine Spring issue 2018.
Photo 4: taken from colored diamond grading scale GIA.

For more in-depth information on green diamonds visit GIA.edu

#mamojewelry
#greendiamond
#naturalfancycolordiamond #fancycoloreddiamonds #giaalumni #coloreddiamonds

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