Ambaji Shinde, the jewel behind the jewel

I recently read the book « Shinde Jewels” by Reema Keswani and would like to share with you my impressions. I didn’t know who Ambaji Shinde was and this book opened a whole new window on the Indian 5000 years old tradition of jewelry and above all on the personality of a great designer and man. Shinde (1917- 2003) was born in a poor family in India. He first studied textile design in Bombay, but the first job he could find was in a jewelry workshop. He started his career as a jewelry designer by accident and in a few years showed himself to be a very talented and hardworking designer. The Nanubhai Company that hired the young designer was dealing at the time with Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels. That’s how Shinde met Harry Winston who invited him to work for his company fist in Geneva and then in New York. He created for HW some of the most beautiful jewelry the world has ever seen. He mastered his techniques creating pieces in which the precious stones look like they are floating in the air and the metal parts are invisible. The most amazing trait of his personality was his modesty. At Harry Winston, Mr. Shinde was referred to as the ''jewel behind the jewel''. No matter how famous he became, creating pieces worth millions of dollars, Shinde stayed a very humble person, who worked 7 days per week, living a very small apartment and taking the bus every day to go to work. New York Times consecrated him many articles praising his professionalism and personality, calling Ambaji Shinde “The man who romanced the stones” Here for you some of his creations

Amethyst, February and Pisces birthstone

The idea, that some stones are precious and some others semi-precious, is familiar to most stone-buyers and stone lovers. It is important to explain though that the “precious” or semi-precious” are market related terms. Today we consider as precious stones the diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds, because their reserves are rare. Other stones such as amethyst were considered as precious not long ago. Amethyst was reclassified as semi-precious after large deposits were found in Brazil and Uruguay in the first half of the nineteenth century. Amethyst is the birthstone for Pisces and the month of February, and the gemstone for the 6th anniversary of marriage. Its use dates back to ancient Greece and Egypt. The name comes from the Ancient Greek ἀ a- ("not") and μέθυστος methustos ("intoxicated"), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. That’s the reason why drinking vessels were carved out of amethyst. Historically, the stone was believed to assist prophecy and visions and to bring riches and powers to its owners. It has always been associated with the civil and religious classes that have ruled human cultures. In the Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui, the amethyst enhances the wealth corner focusing on the giving and receiving of material wealth. At the highest level, amethyst bestows the spiritual understanding required to reach the state of bliss. It is associated with the crown chakra at the top of the head where divine essence enters. Amethyst is one of several forms of quartz. As quartz it is a Silicon dioxide SiO2. The purple color of amethyst is due to iron impurities at specific sites in the crystalline structure. If the iron impurities within the crystal are highly oxidized, the gem takes on the deep purple of an amethyst. If the mineral is heated, the oxygen is removed from the iron and the gem fades and will turn brown then yellow, green or colorless depending on the location of the iron within the crystal. If it turns yellow, it is then known as a citrine. Chemically it is closely related to other varieties of quartz such as citrine, smoky quartz, rose quartz, and even aventurine, agate, carnelian and opal.

Here is a selection of beautiful jewelry made using amethyst stone, from different shops on Etsy. If you are interested in them; you just go on Etsy and type Amethyst as a keyword. Enjoy Littlewomen is coming soon with her own collection of February birthsone.

An other Etsian in Paris

Hello everyone. Yesterday I met another Etsian that lives here in Paris. For your information, the Etsians are not some kinds of aliens coming from a distant planet. They are the members of this wonderful creative community that is Etsy. Anyway, her name is Jonua, she is American and came to Paris to follow her loved one. She is the first member of Etsy I have ever met in person. I am new to the community and meeting other people that are there since long time is always an enriching experience as much as it is a pleasure to meet like-minded people. My next step will be to participate to Etsy France meetings and try to know as many Etsians as possible in order for all of us to increase the visibility of our shops. Ah and last, but not least I want to share with you this great address. It is a small coffee shop in Montmartre, where they make delicious cupcakes. The space is tiny but the atmosphere and the decoration are very girly. So next time you need to have some time with your girlfriends bring them at Miss Cupcake at 22, rue de la Vieuville 75018 in Paris.

The joy of my first sale on Etsy

Two weeks ago I made my first sell on my Etsy shop. After reading Rena Klingenberg tips on her website I was not really expecting for sales any time soon. There it goes I open my email account and see the message `Congratulations on your first sale`. What a joy! Her name is Barbara and she was my first client. I felt so grateful to her for trusting my shop and make the first purchase. She bought an amethyst and black pearl necklace, my first production ever. I want to spoil my clients, to have a direct relation with them. So i created some matching earrings as a present and two days later she confirmed the reception. That was a great adventure. Here is the necklace. My beautiful friend and model Ana is wearing it.

I will make the necklace again and put it back on my Etsy shop, this time under the name of Barbara model.

Romantic necklace in bronze and coral beads

Did you like this necklace. Yes? In that case find it on my Littlewomenbusiness Etsy shop at :

Valentine earrings wire wrapped in green aventurine beads and green agate briolettes

This wonderful earrings have been made using the wire wrapping technique. The big briolette is in agate verte. The small beads are inaventurine gemstone et crystal. To make these earrings I have used laiton wire, which will not change with time. The hoops are insured with small plastic pins, perfect for not loosing your earrings between your scaref in winter time. Give them as a present to you sweet lady in Valentine's day. They will be perfect on her during that romantic evening under the candle lights.

Find them on Littlewomenbusiness Etsy shop at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120872318/valentine-earrings-wire-wrapped-in-green

Valentines Pink agate and Grey agate gemstone earrings

Valentine`s beautiful grey and pink agate earrings. They have been created using the wire wrapping technique. Perfect for a very girly day look they can be worn also for an elegant evening. The metalic parts are in silver color and the wire is laiton. Each purchase will come to you in a velvet pouch.

Find these earrings at

Red Jasper and onyx beads Valentine earrings

These earrings are my favorite ones. The small beads are onyx. I found them in an Indian shop during the Parisian gemstone fair of 2012. The briolletes are in red jasper. I used the technique of wire wrapping. They come with a plastic pin to assure the earrings wont fall. Let them be the perfect gift for Valentine.

Find these earrings at Littlewomenbusiness Etsy shop

The Valentine newcomes

Hello everyone. These are some of the last earrings I have created. I recently discovered wire wrapping and started with experimenting. These earrings have been created using agate, jasper, and aventurine gemstones for the big briolletes and small beads of onyx, aventurine and grey agate. Hope you like them.

It is so cold today, and maybe the coldest place in Paris is arround Bibliotheque Francois Miterrand. I think is also one of the best places to take pictures. The light is soft and the whole place is in wood, which with time has turned into a beautiful grey color. One day in spring I wish to come here with a model and take goergous pictures. Have already spoted a few places. For today I challenged the wind to take some pictures of my last creations. Coming soon after the editing ;)

Earrings with Lapis lazuli gemstone pearls and bronze metallic elements

These beautiful earrings were made using big lapis lazuli gemstone beads. Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious gemstone. My beads come from Afghanistan were are situated the biggest mines for the extraction of the stone. The metallic elements in between each bead and the hoops are in bronze. The hoops will have a plastic pin behind to ensure that the earrings do not fall.

Find them on Etsy at

Aurora Borealis- Long necklace with a labradorite gemstone pendant and bronze chain

I found this labradorite big cabochon in the Fair of Gemstones of Paris. I a beautiful piece, coming from Madagascar. What the picture doesn't show, is the deepth of the colour and the way it changes light when you move the stone. I beaded it then into sof felt and finished with a long chain. You can, as well, ask for a shorter necklace if you wish.

According to an Eskimo legend, the Northern Lights were once imprisoned in the rocks along the Labrador coast, until one day an Eskimo warrior found them and freed most of the lights with a blow from his spear. Not all the lights could be freed from the stone however and for that reason we have today what is known as labradorite.

Find this necklace at Littlewomenbusiness Etsy shop

Turquoise long necklace

The idea for the design for this necklace, was turning into my mind for a couple of weeks. I love turquoise gemstones. Its color reminds me of warm summer days. It matches so well with white so it is a summer color. And when the hot days are gone and is cold as it is now, having a summery souvenir helps. I made this necklace with turquoise chips and bronze chain. I am thinking of making the same with onyx chips or even coral chips. 

Find it on Littlewomenbusiness Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120501088/a-summer-day-long-necklace-in-turquoise

Statement ponpon earrings in green Pandora style beads and emerald green ponpons

These statement earrings unite big crystal bead , Pandora style and big green  ponpons. The metallic elements are in bronze.You will love them for the rich emerald green color and  the statement they make.  To wear everyday with a simple white tshirt and jeans or with a black evening dress. One thing is for sure, you wont pass unnoticed.

Find them on my Etsy Littlewomen business shop at https://www.etsy.com/listing/110222732/statement-ponpon-earrings-in-green

Birdy beetle wings earrings

These beautiful earrings were made out of bronzed metallic elements and real beetle wings. The beetle wings come from Thailand and their use does not constitute any danger to the beetle species. The earrings are very light and the beetle wings will lightly whisper at your ear while you walk.

Find them at Littlewomenbusiness Etsy shop at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/110833872/beetle-wings-earrings

Beetle wings earrings

Another pair of wonderful earrings made of bronzed metallic elements and beetle wings. You will love them for their intense emerald color and fun structure. The (Sternocera aequistignata) jewel beetle wings come from Thailand and this insect is not an endangered species. They have been used to embellish textiles and jewelry in Asia for centuries.

Find these earrings at my Etsy shop:

Pendant beetle wings earrings