The Natural Sapphire Company

[tapio]

From Tapio,
Over the button hole, not in it or the back clutch may slip out if it''s a real lapel buttoniere. Angled toward the heart. I would not advise a hand bag, too risky.

Remember many traditions including the Scots have large gorgeous kilt pins that men have been wearing for a thousand years. These are really hefty 100= carat smokey quartz, etc.

It would look lovely on an Indian Sari with their own traditions and symbols. Just use your imagination.

Tapio

 

[tapio]

I believe one of the problems, for me anyway, in not wearing a tie is that standard shirt necks only go up to 18 and 18 1/2. If you''re big,like me, they''re bloody uncomfortable - so who want to wear a tie in a tight fitting neck -- it''s torture -- ask any man.

I finally came to admitting that I was a size 19 neck. Oh, Oh, I''m getting older and bigger! It happens. Well I got a hold of reality ordered the bigger shirts and voila; it fits great, I love wearing it and have once again begun to love wearing ties. They don''t strangle me anymore because I get a big enough neck. That''s just me.

If you''re big like me you may have to also consider a long tie.

Words or wisdom to women: I never let my wife or kids pick out a tie for me (it''s sheer foley) -- they''re too personal.

Men, you''ll almost never go wrong will a black and white: Prince of Wales check, Houndstooth... but, again ties are very personal - like jewelry.

Tapio

 

[tapio]

Thank you very much.

I understand.

Tapio

 

[tapio]

To: Linda W.,

I loose hats. Bad choice for me and I don''t wear evening bags. The waistcoat and plaid shirt has to do.

For the other person: John Cleese -- if you want and argument it''s two doors down on the right. This is getting hit on the head lessons. Vikings singing "Spam" is in the restaurant next door. But, do be careful they''re out of baked beans.

Tapio

 

[Linda W]

Date: 12/15/2009 8:43:20 PM
Author: tapio
To: Linda W.,


I loose hats. Bad choice for me and I don''t wear evening bags. The waistcoat and plaid shirt has to do.


For the other person: John Cleese -- if you want and argument it''s two doors down on the right. This is getting hit on the head lessons. Vikings singing ''Spam'' is in the restaurant next door. But, do be careful they''re out of baked beans.


Tapio

Ha ha ha ha, I meant for women ha ha ha ha. I don''t think you would have an evening bag.

I am so glad to meet another person, who loves NSC, as much as I do.

 

[chrono]

Linda,
I don''t use a handbag and even if I did, I''d worry about losing it even more. I do like the idea of a shawl or scarf though.

Tapio,
Excellent pictures. Thank you for sharing a lesson in how to dress up or dress down with a stick pin.

 

[Linda W]

Chrono, you know those sweaters that have a big collar??? I think they call them shawl sweaters? I am not sure. I saw a woman with a pin on hers. I thought the tie pin would look beautiful on it. They are pull over sweaters. Some are cashmere.

 

[chrono]

Linda,
Will it look odd on a turtleneck?

 

[Linda W]

no they aren''t turtleneck sweaters, they are larger than that. I wish I knew the correct name for them. They are like a turtleneck, only they come down farther.

 

[arjunajane]

a cowl neck?

 

[Linda W]

Date: 12/15/2009 9:41:01 PM
Author: arjunajane
a cowl neck?

YAY YAY YAY Thank you AJ, yes that is what I meant. See what turning 60 does??? Your mind starts to slip, ha ha ha ha ha.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 12/15/2009 9:44:22 PM
Author: Linda W

Date: 12/15/2009 9:41:01 PM

Author: arjunajane

a cowl neck?

YAY YAY YAY Thank you AJ, yes that is what I meant. See what turning 60 does??? Your mind starts to slip, ha ha ha ha ha.

he he, glad I could be of assistance. Done is my good deed for the day

for those wondering, here is a quick image. I agree the pins would look fab with a cashmere or wool cowl neck!

 

[chrono]

Yay! I have 2 of those. What I need now is a stick pin.

 

[Linda W]

PERFECT AJ, that is exactly what I was talking about. Love the picture.

 

[arjunajane]

If I wear the sweater in 38C weather for an Aussie Christmas, will Santa bring me a pin?

 

[Linda W]

That''s right it is your summer now. ha ha ha. It is cold here in California.

 

[Gailey]

Date: 12/15/2009 10:11:09 PM
Author: Linda W
That''s right it is your summer now. ha ha ha. It is cold here in California.

Not as cold as it has been with me. It hit -31°C this week. I have barely worn anything but a large cowel necked sweater (and my vest!).

Tapio, I welcomed you early on in this thread and I am delighted to see that you are a "real" person and a lover of beautiful gems to boot. I do hope that you stick around. You already seem to have a larger than life personality and the combination of that, your love of gems and fine workmanship will be hugely welcomed here.

We look forward to getting to know you better.

I''m intrigued by your use of English slang. Do you feel comfortable sharing your nationality with us?

BTW, it was stars such as yours that first led me to fall in love with coloured gems, many, many years ago when I was a small child.

 

[tapio]

Hello Gaily (I hope I have it right),

Thank you for your kind words. I am glad the conversation has turned it''s tone. It feels more comfortable now.

I think you ladies(I assume ladies) have a wonderful idea of using stick/tie pins with cowl neck sweaters etc. They would look gorgeous.

But, don''t just pick anything off a shelf. Make sure it has meaning to you. As in a new piece for each new trip. Something hand made to pass down to grandchildren or children. We are only here for such a short amount of time.

Even though I may not seem like it -- I spent 10 years in the tree-planting industry (even though it sounds impossible I was responsible for putting over a million trees in the ground -- i care about the environment and the money was very good) and trained as a logger as well (selective-eco logging; not clear cutting) and then three years as a fishing guide on the cold north pacific during all hours. That is an odd juxtaposed image gemstones/logging and fishing But, all have their beauty. Hence the plaid shirt and gemstones. Find the beauty in all the small things around us: a child''s laugh, a sunny day, and a quiet moment.

Also, I think Walter Gropius (sp)(a minimalist) said, "More is a bore". I always go for quality versus quantity. When I pass away - and I will - I don''t want to have my children find out, "Oh, that gorgeous piece was paste is worth $U.S. 75.00.

On the other hand I have a lovely friend and she is a Senior V.P. of a well known bank (I won''t say which bank because banks are not in people''s good books now, but her bank has not been in any negative news) and she loves costume jewelry and has tonnes of it! I gave her some of my grandmother''s jewelry when my grandmother passed away and she loves it and wears it all the time. My grandmother loved jewelry and I can probably say she had too much. She would hide sapphire and diamond rings in potpurri dishes, in sneakers/wellies/muck-a-bouts under the feet of her metal bed (in case the house was ever struck by lightning). You get the idea. She misplaced more jewelry than I''ll ever have, but she went with the flow. So we gave some away to good friends. Price didn''t matter - the friendship matters. Some of her pieces I received and can be as closely as GIA can determine are from the 1700''s.

Remember too men and women out there: never be envious of what you see on T.V. Most of it is fake and for the Hollywood Academy Awards most of it is rented from high-end jewellers who have their own security guards just for the pieces - they go with the 24 hour rental. Most real and good jewelry is kept quiet.

I''m also fortunate one of my great-grand-dads was the first curator of a major International museum. Some of his collections are in the MET in NYC. He taught me how to look for quality.

Hand-bags, don''t knock "man-bags" one of my favourite private music teachers in the early 70''s, while I was studying abroad, was as straight as a dime and carried a "man-bag". But, they''re not my cup of tea.

Waist coasts are starting to make a come back. They can be light, conservative, fun and very practical.

As to the "who I am question, where am I from? Does it really matter? We all move around and are citizens of the world.

I believe from what you have seen you can understand I wish to keep my privacy and whing at loosing my privacy. I merely chanced upon this group. I am an every-day working stiff, paying bills, having had some exciting opportunities and I am a performer (not a rock star {pardon the pun}), now growing older: have played for QEII and worked with Johnny Depp many years ago and been in a few movies, have travelled a wee bit, published a wee bit, but now I enjoy teaching grades 1 -6 and love instilling a passion for music and life into young children. And, going back to University because I love learning.

Children are our only future and their education is the only way the problems of 2050, which we cannot even dream of -- will be solved.

Men, it seems to me that from some of the entries from women that there may be a few pointers for you - they have worked for me. But, that''s just me and I''m very happily married to the same women for over thirty years now.

As a passing thought I am a recovered alcoholic. I have not had a drink in over 17years. One of the keystones in AA (and I''m not promoting it) is anonymity. I would ask that you not ask me to break that.

I hope you all have a wonderful one-day-at-a-time.

Cheers,

Tapio

One parting photo for the gentleman who liked the single star. It still is one of my favourites. I have worn it daily for at least year. I still go wilderness camping, paddling, fishing, portaging in the the North Wilderness with it. I never take the pin off, I sleep with it on, and not once has either clutch broke. This is one well made piece to withstand miles of bush hiking and really rough wear. When I mean bush hiking I mean no trails, clearing our own paths, branching whipping you all over, climbing rock slides and falling. I would trust wearing this piece anywhere and it''s tough as nails and still as beautiful as the day I bought it. The light is natural light. I stuck it on a tree and just decided to take a picture. Thank you to the makers! "You make good cookies Mr. Christie" (You''ll get it if you''re old enough.

 

[Gailey]

Date: 12/16/2009 5:26:09 AM
Author: tapio
Hello Gaily (I hope I have it right),

Thank you for your kind words. I am glad the conversation has turned it''s tone. It feels more comfortable now.

I think you ladies(I assume ladies) have a wonderful idea of using stick/tie pins with cowl neck sweaters etc. They would look gorgeous.

But, don''t just pick anything off a shelf. Make sure it has meaning to you. As in a new piece for each new trip. Something hand made to pass down to grandchildren or children. We are only here for such a short amount of time.

Even though I may not seem like it -- I spent 10 years in the tree-planting industry (even though it sounds impossible I was responsible for putting over a million trees in the ground -- i care about the environment and the money was very good) and trained as a logger as well (selective-eco logging; not clear cutting) and then three years as a fishing guide on the cold north pacific during all hours. That is an odd juxtaposed image gemstones/logging and fishing But, all have their beauty. Hence the plaid shirt and gemstones. Find the beauty in all the small things around us: a child''s laugh, a sunny day, and a quiet moment.

Also, I think Walter Gropius (sp)(a minimalist) said, ''More is a bore''. I always go for quality versus quantity. When I pass away - and I will - I don''t want to have my children find out, ''Oh, that gorgeous piece was paste is worth $U.S. 75.00.

On the other hand I have a lovely friend and she is a Senior V.P. of a well known bank (I won''t say which bank because banks are not in people''s good books now, but her bank has not been in any negative news) and she loves costume jewelry and has tonnes of it! I gave her some of my grandmother''s jewelry when my grandmother passed away and she loves it and wears it all the time. My grandmother loved jewelry and I can probably say she had too much. She would hide sapphire and diamond rings in potpurri dishes, in sneakers/wellies/muck-a-bouts under the feet of her metal bed (in case the house was ever struck by lightning). You get the idea. She misplaced more jewelry than I''ll ever have, but she went with the flow. So we gave some away to good friends. Price didn''t matter - the friendship matters. Some of her pieces I received and can be as closely as GIA can determine are from the 1700''s.

Remember too men and women out there: never be envious of what you see on T.V. Most of it is fake and for the Hollywood Academy Awards most of it is rented from high-end jewellers who have their own security guards just for the pieces - they go with the 24 hour rental. Most real and good jewelry is kept quiet.

I''m also fortunate one of my great-grand-dads was the first curator of a major International museum. Some of his collections are in the MET in NYC. He taught me how to look for quality.

Hand-bags, don''t knock ''man-bags'' one of my favourite private music teachers in the early 70''s, while I was studying abroad, was as straight as a dime and carried a ''man-bag''. But, they''re not my cup of tea.

Waist coasts are starting to make a come back. They can be light, conservative, fun and very practical.

As to the ''who I am question, where am I from? Does it really matter? We all move around and are citizens of the world.

I believe from what you have seen you can understand I wish to keep my privacy and whing at loosing my privacy. I merely chanced upon this group. I am an every-day working stiff, paying bills, having had some exciting opportunities and I am a performer (not a rock star {pardon the pun}), now growing older: have played for QEII and worked with Johnny Depp many years ago and been in a few movies, have travelled a wee bit, published a wee bit, but now I enjoy teaching grades 1 -6 and love instilling a passion for music and life into young children. And, going back to University because I love learning.

Children are our only future and their education is the only way the problems of 2050, which we cannot even dream of -- will be solved.

Men, it seems to me that from some of the entries from women that there may be a few pointers for you - they have worked for me. But, that''s just me and I''m very happily married to the same women for over thirty years now.

As a passing thought I am a recovered alcoholic. I have not had a drink in over 17years. One of the keystones in AA (and I''m not promoting it) is anonymity. I would ask that you not ask me to break that.

I hope you all have a wonderful one-day-at-a-time.

Cheers,

Tapio

One parting photo for the gentleman who liked the single star. It still is one of my favourites. I have worn it daily for at least year. I still go wilderness camping, paddling, fishing, portaging in the the North Wilderness with it. I never take the pin off, I sleep with it on, and not once has either clutch broke. This is one well made piece to withstand miles of bush hiking and really rough wear. When I mean bush hiking I mean no trails, clearing our own paths, branching whipping you all over, climbing rock slides and falling. I would trust wearing this piece anywhere and it''s tough as nails and still as beautiful as the day I bought it. The light is natural light. I stuck it on a tree and just decided to take a picture. Thank you to the makers! ''You make good cookies Mr. Christie'' (You''ll get it if you''re old enough.

Ha! I get it, I''m old enough! and Mr K did make exceedingly good cakes!!

You answered my question well enough. I did not mean to pry, which is why I didn''t ask you where you lived, merely your original nationality.

As an Englishwoman living in Canada and a professional gardener, you pique my interest on a number of levels Tapio. Planting a million trees, albeit not personally I guess, is a huge achievement and you are to be commended.

You certainly have led a rich and colourful life and if it wasn''t for the fact you wear size 19 shirts I''d say your name was "Sting"!!!!

Love to hear more about your Grandmother''s pieces, did you keep any pieces that you can share pictures of?

 

[Harriet]

Tapio,
Welcome and thank you for your excellent pointers, especially your spirited defence of the "''middle-man." I trust you won''t mind if I added one more -- see and handle as many gems you can.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 12/15/2009 3:15:30 PM
Author: StonieGrl
Since the politics/danger of mining and gemstone acquisition was raised here, I am going to add my voice to say that the local native miners don't reap the profits, working conditions are horrifying and dangerous, and in most cases the goverment and nonnative mining entities get the much larger portion of the end result.


I did think it was a sad way for Campbell Bridges to die and certainly wrong but he knew the risks and continued on. Why? Huge profit. He made a judgement that he had that situation under control and he guessed wrong.


Most of the natives or indigenous people in gemstone locations live lives of horrifying poverty, terrible infant mortality, and early mortality if you make it to adulthood. Balancing that off against privateering for gemstones, you can see why the terrible anger exists amoung the locals.

Stonie Girl,

Campbell was regarded as one of the most ethical miners around. Please trust me that he was fighting for his mine as a matter of principle. He loved his country and tried to give back to it. I am not even sure that the mine was making "huge profits."

I understand what you are saying about miners in general. Please take my word that Campbell was an outstanding counter-example. May he rest in peace.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 12/15/2009 10:15:47 AM
Author: MakingTheGrade
The tsavorite I have in my ring was from Mr. Bridges'' mines, it''s such a shame to hear he was victim of such a violent crime.


Lovely pins Tapio. Although having grown up in a ''jeans and tshirt'' generation, could someone post a photo of how one wears a pin? I honestly haven''t the slightest clue how a man wears a pin...

MakingtheGrade,
Would you mind sharing how you concluded that it was one of Campbell''s? From my exchanges with Barry, I trust that it came from a mine in Taita Hills, not necessarily the Bridges'' one. I know that the Bridges have never sold rough. You have a beautiful stone, and I would hate for it to be sullied.

 

[Harriet]

Allow me to pre-empt any hint that I am a "shill" for the Bridges. Suffice it to say that they are wholesalers, not retailers.

 

[tapio]

Well you learn something new everyday. I had no idea Bruce and Campbell never sold rough. I always just what they could do and asked them to do it and they did. Bruce always did the selling from the U.S. for me anyway.

Tapio

 

[Harriet]

Tapio,
I am glad to be of service. I am not at liberty to disclose the details of how Bruce operates. Would you mind keeping mum as well? I brought up the point about their rough only because I do not wish to see the cutter concerned associated with black market goods.

 

[tapio]

Yes, of course Heriot,
Discretion is the better part of valour. I will cease this conversation and don''t want to step on the toes of any long time people on this forum. I am the "newcomer".

I would trust that if I say something inappropriate someone would chide me rather quickly -- that is my hope -- please and thank you.

In due course, if appropriate and allowable I may say how much I have enjoyed seeing some of the gem-cutters and goldsmiths work. Much I have seen on the web before entering here. I am happy to see some of them here.

I have welcomed very valuable advice from others which I strongly believe is true: i.e. education, Education, EDUCATION; see as many stones as you can, buy inexpensive man mades, ones with treatments, and the odd real stone so you can actually see the fine striations, or curvatures (boules). They are all very beautiful and help one learn. Be aware sometimes it takes a 40x''s scope just to tell some excellent man mades.

So find someone, it doesn''t matter, but someone you trust. And, please (i am not a dealer), but don''t haggle them to death. It just makes things go sour from the start. A little haggling is good. You''ll eventually learn to trust your dealer and know he is giving you the best deal he/she can (and still make some profit - she/he - has to live) and you''ll know when not to haggle. But, it''s always wise to keep an eye on trends. It is your privilege to be educated or ignorant.

Oh, I love gardening as well: my daffodils, tulips and crocuses to poppies, hanging roses, wisteria, there is some much beauty in the world.

 

[tapio]

Yes, of course Heriot,
Discretion is the better part of valour. I will cease this conversation and don''t want to step on the toes of any long time people on this forum. I am the "newcomer".

I would trust that if I say something inappropriate someone would chide me rather quickly -- that is my hope -- please and thank you.

In due course, if appropriate and allowable I may say how much I have enjoyed seeing some of the gem-cutters and goldsmiths work. Much I have seen on the web before entering here. I am happy to see some of them here.

I have welcomed very valuable advice from others which I strongly believe is true: i.e. education, Education, EDUCATION; see as many stones as you can, buy inexpensive man mades, ones with treatments, and the odd real stone so you can actually see the fine striations, or curvatures (boules). They are all very beautiful and help one learn. Be aware sometimes it takes a 40x''s scope just to tell some excellent man mades.

So find someone, it doesn''t matter, but someone you trust. And, please (i am not a dealer), but don''t haggle them to death. It just makes things go sour from the start. A little haggling is good. You''ll eventually learn to trust your dealer and know he is giving you the best deal he/she can (and still make some profit - she/he - has to live) and you''ll know when not to haggle. But, it''s always wise to keep an eye on trends. It is your privilege to be educated or ignorant.

Oh, I love gardening as well: my daffodils, tulips and crocuses to poppies, hanging roses, wisteria, there is some much beauty in the world.

Tapio

 

[tapio]

Dear Cut Rock,

You sound very interesting. Another variation, since I assume you cut rock, for men is what every man knows as the signet ring. Generally standard, all men know what they look like. But, you can make them special. See attached the gold and the bloodstone are all hand carved. They make a beautiful seal in sealing wax for letters and important documents. Even thought letters are 1mm or less you can make out everything. I it done locally in Europe. Maybe you could suggest some North American hand carved signet ring makers?

They make a beautiful male statement and can turn an ordinary bloodstone into something quite spectacular. Of course as you would know many rocks can be carved to make very, very beautiful objects d''art.

Tapio

 

[Harriet]

Thanks, Tapio. Please don''t mistake my request as a chiding though.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Date: 12/15/2009 8:24:28 PM
Author: tapio
I believe one of the problems, for me anyway, in not wearing a tie is that standard shirt necks only go up to 18 and 18 1/2. If you''re big,like me, they''re bloody uncomfortable - so who want to wear a tie in a tight fitting neck -- it''s torture -- ask any man.

I finally came to admitting that I was a size 19 neck. Oh, Oh, I''m getting older and bigger! It happens. Well I got a hold of reality ordered the bigger shirts and voila; it fits great, I love wearing it and have once again begun to love wearing ties. They don''t strangle me anymore because I get a big enough neck. That''s just me.

If you''re big like me you may have to also consider a long tie.

Words or wisdom to women: I never let my wife or kids pick out a tie for me (it''s sheer foley) -- they''re too personal.

Men, you''ll almost never go wrong will a black and white: Prince of Wales check, Houndstooth... but, again ties are very personal - like jewelry.

Tapio

I just love the the tie pins. Star sapphires are my fave. BTW- Your reference to sheer foley (folly) had me spitting out my coffee on the keyboard. But then again I am a Registered Nurse.

Lisa