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Continuing the discussion on Trollbeads 2010 we move on to the Spring Collection.  In February 2010 Trollbeads released a beautiful collection of new bead designs.  For collectors it was a very welcomed release because it offered a series of black beads and we know how black can be both stylishly modern and pin-stripe suit conservative. Black Armadillo, Black Bubbles, Fashion Flower, Chess, and the new Zebra (not to be confused with the old retired Zebra) are staples in every collection. You can take a bracelet of black and white Trollbeads and add only one other color and it changes the look entirely. The colors that look the best with the black and white beads are red, hot pink and lime green.

The “Aventurine” bead was introduced and like many of the natural “Precious Stone” beads it comes in a variety of tones and lends itself to many applications.  See accompanying photo below.

 Don’t be afraid to use green in any design as it is in the middle of the color wheel and looks good with many complimentary and contrasting colors.  This release saw the two new tassel beads (shown in photo above) in white pearl and black spinel.  The earlier drop pearls had just been discontinued and the tassel beads have a more up to date, cleaner look.  Filling the gap for” baby” beads, the” Little Boy” and the” Little Girl” beads were introduced alongside the “Hope” bead.  Soft blue, soft pink and soft mint green pearlescent/opaque glass with one cz in each bead.  The silver “Zucchini Flower” bead is big and can be used on standard necklaces, Fantasy Necklaces and on bracelets.  I use mine on a bracelet.  The “Soccer Ball” was happily welcomed by all the soccer moms we sell to and this is one of only 3 beads with any hint toward sports so it fills void. There are other beads that deserve mention but will only name two more I use a lot.  The “Paradise Birds” and the “Carved Flowers” both have the heavier feel and width of the “Limited Edition China” (from 2009) and the “Jugend” bead.  The height and width of these beads allows them to be positioned next to glass beads and they are level with the glass so they don’t get lost.  Finishing up the release was the addition of the “Swan Lock”.  I don’t know any Trollbeads Collector who isn’t always wishing for a new lock and The “Swan Lock”  is regal and  beautiful  and has been very popular. 

As far as the versitality of your use of Trollbeads goes the Spring Collection also introduced the double stand leather bracelets.  These are youthful but can also be sophisticated depending on how you dress them up or down. The leather cord is square and just large enough to effectively hold each bead in place so there is no need to fill the bracelet. 

Offered in red, beige, brown and black leather there is such variety it ends up a challenge to come up with the best look.  A nice surprice for me was these bracelets when purchased in the larger size makes a dynamite necklace!

Ok Trollbeads we are all ready for the 2011 Spring release so bring it on!

The Smoky Quartz Trollbead was one of the original precious stone beads released by Trollbeads in 2009.  Like the other natural stone Trollbeads, Smoky quartz beads can be found in a variety of shades from a light translucent smoky brown to a deep dark brown.  The scientific reason for the variety of tones in Smoky Quartz is not known but it is thought to have something to do with the amount of natural radiation the stone has been exposed to while it was in its’ original state.  It is a common practice for stone finishers to alter their precious stones and semi -precious stones by either a heat process or a radiation process to produce the most desirable colors. Most smoky quartz that is sold to rock shops and to some gem cutters has been artificially irradiated to produce a dark black color.  I have found that the tone remains constant with the Trollbeads Smoky Quartz, it’s the shade that varies.  Trollbeads collectors enjoy the hunt for a variety of shades and often want it in the whole range and will find different uses for each bead.  

Smoky Quartz is a popular stone in general and therefore can be seen used in many decorative uses besides jewelry. It has been found in Colorado, in the Swiss Alps, Brazil and Africa.  Like all other quartz stones, Smoky Quartz has a hardness of 7 on the geologists Mohs scale where 10 is the hardest. 

Smoky Quartz is only one of several quartz varieties. Other varieties that form macroscopic (large enough to see without magnification) crystals are as follows:

• Amethyst, in shades of purple. (Available in a  Trollbeads Precious Stone Bead)
• Citrine, is yellow to orange is rarely found naturally but can occur by heating Amethyst.
• Milky Quartz, found in the cloudy white variety.
• Prasiolite, is the soft green variety
• Rock crystal, is the clear variety (no color)
• Rose Quartz, is a pink variety (Available in a  Trollbeads Precious Stone Bead)

Healing Properties of Smoky Quartz:

As with most all gem stones there are healing properties associated with Smoky Quartz.  It is said that it is a good stone to share between people that either work together or have a relationship of some sort.  If you have a common goal with anyone, be it work related or a personal goal, it is a good stone to have.  It is said to also absorb negative thought patterns and it can bring us back to reality by cleansing and strengthening our grounding.

While many gem stones are known to attract money, it’s the Smoky Quartz that helps you keep it.  It guides you to see more clearly a better way to handle your money. 

Some stone specialists believe that keeping several smoky quartz crystals in the bedroom can help couples to overcome communication problems. With couples who have been together a long time, it helps to dissolve mental and emotional blockages that can get in the way of the two of them learning who the other person has grown to become. This is especially important because people change and relationships can sour if the relationship itself stays stagnant and doesn’t keep up with the new needs of the people involved.

Other points of interest:

• If you work at a computer and your hands or wrists hurt from carpal tunnel syndrome, wear smoky quartz crystals as jewelry to help ease the pain. They say if you can wear a bracelet made of smoky quartz around your wrist it is particularly helpful to those with carpal tunnel. In our case I would suggest creating a Trollbeads bracelet using 5 Smoky Quartz Trollbeads, alternating with smaller silver Trollbeads so it is the Smoky Quartz that rests directly upon your wrist.
• Smoky Quartz can be used as a protective shield to block and absorb and negative energies sent your way. You yourself may be very positive but you have no control over the bad energies thought or sent your way.  From someone who has to wait behind you in line to someone who is jealous of you for your good energy! Always wear a Trollbeads Smoky Quartz to protect yourself.
• Are you always looking for lost items?  Are you basically unorganized so things don’t have a proper place?   They say it helps if you can put a few smoky quartz crystals around so they can help you improve your organizational skills.  So wear your Trollbeads Smoky Quartz and you will become very organized.

What are you waiting for?  If you already own a Trollbeads Smoky Quartz bead, that is great but you probably need another one!

Trollbeads Smoky Quartz         Smoky Quartz is on right side!