Jemel

Steven Barben here, owner of Jemel and creator of the wired stone pendants offered here. I love the natural world and the beautiful treasures found in it, especially rocks, minerals, crystals, and the precious and semi-precious stones made from them. I love to find or acquire them, select the best, and make them into unique and interesting jewelry pieces, especially pendants, as pendants are probably the most noticed of jewelry.

But more than love for real and natural stones and gems, I know them. Many expeditions I have taken with my Geologist father prospecting for every kind of worthwhile stone we could find - with some success. I have attended multiple rock, mineral, gem and jewelry trade shows and related events as well. I also hold a minor degree in Geology, and tested highest in a collegiate class for mineral identification.

Currently, all of my hand made jewelry is made with real and natural materials (mineral, fossil, stone, shell, etc.); real, meaning no imitations, synthetics, or artificials; and natural, meaning no dyes, stain, coatings, plating, or other such enhancements. While I cannot say the same for some of the jewelry I have acquired premade and found in other categories, provided titles and descriptions are accurate for all Jemel items, so please read carefully before ordering.

I am more of an artist than a purist, which is reflected in much of my work. I personally value pattern and variation, internal refraction and reflection, free form and organic shape, and the unique and unusual over solid consistent color, flawless clarity, standard geometric shape, and general sameness. I also like to let some natural character remain in some stones if it adds to artistic value, uniqueness, beauty, and/or helps individualize a stone for its wearer. Stone characteristics may include natural vugs and crystal voids, holes, pockets, rough and semi-rough edges and surfaces, surface splits, internal fractures, inclusions, etc. all such features are clearly disclosed in item descriptions as well.

I have also written a book, also offered on the Jemel site entitled "Wisdom’s Way: Tales, Treasures, Truths". It has little relation to the stones and jewelry, but if you like careful thought, meditation, new perspective and consideration over dramatic excitement and entertainment, you’ll probably like this book as well.

I hope you like the items Jemel offers. Thank you for your interest. I am happy to communicate with my viewers and offer any assistance, I'll be glad to chat online when available or get in contact on social media – questions, comments, discussion, criticism, whatever.