It’s not often that I press my nose against the window of a jewellery store and really drool (aural alliteration intended!) but today, in Sisters, Oregon, we discovered a treasure! The window display lured us in and pure seduction awaited us! For rock junkies, the lure was fossilised dendrite slate, stunning lab0radite, agates in rock form, jasper, amethyst, petrified wood, fossils, and the list goes on….. And in addition to these beautiful rocks, set out on other rocks were stunning jewellery which were inspired by the rocks they rested on.
I have never seen such an attractive display of jewellery in my life! The owner of The Jewel, a jewelry arts gallery, was brought up surrounded by rocks in a mining family (hope I got that right!) and obviously absorbed the inner structure and beauty of the rocks in her DNA because the work is so attuned to the natural forms. Peggy, the general manager, was on hand to give some background information and to admit that she has THE best job in the world set in a stunning geologically marvellous place (Sisters is in the geologically active Cascade Mountain range on the edge of Central Oregon surrounded by volcanic mountains which are skiers paradise in winter and the exposed lava fields and flows attract many summer visitors). I can quite see why!! All the staff were really enthused with the work and we left with Agnes having succumbed to a stunning piece of laboradite. Unfortunately (fortunately for DH!!) I already have my full luggage weight allowance and couldn’t indulge!! :^((
But I give advance warning that if I ever am so fortunate as to come to this part of the US again, and Oregon in particular, wild horses would not stop me from paying another visit and buying a gem of a rock to accompany me home. If you are in the area, I would suggest it as one of the top places to visit if you like beauty/natural beauty/jewelry. Inthe meantime, I will just have to make do with the inspiration gleaned from the stunning examples of geology in rock form, and the memory of beautiful wearable rock art in the form of unusual jewellery in a memorable display.
PS The frozen yoghurt shop just down the road is well worth a visit too!! Especially on a day where the temperatures have hit in excess of 96F… :^))