"A Palette of Compassion & Stone" Custom Lapidary Creations for you.

Nevada Lazy Old Men Turquoise Mine, Utah Variscite, LostSierra Orchid Crystallene

  The Concept of "Exclusive Lapidary and Jewelry Design". 

In 1991 my world changed. I was introduced to the Dalai Llama. His profound comments to me. After spending time viewing my art which was then being exhibited in a gallery. In Sharing the Dalai Llama words: "If you want others to be happy create with compassion. If you want to be happy create with compassion".

Often while in the studio working lapidary time will stand still. Each stone etching a part into my soul.  In setting professional goals.  My lapidary skills were to be applied as an artistic endevor.  Having gained knowledge, awareness, and understanding of each particular stone. I wanted to be able to use the lapidary medium for creating 3 dimension art.  Injecting compassion in creating a design to match an individuals personality and soul. To be worn as a treasured heirloom eventually being passed on to a special recipient.
  
My dedication to the lapidary business and those as an artist has turned into a 24/7 occupation. Much happiness occurs from surrounding oneself with magnificent stones. Each stone sharing compassion as individuals adorn the inner and outwards of ones soul.
   
Often the unique beauty and respect of a stone is sacrificed by many stone cutters. Grinding stones solely for the sake of an economic interests. Thus currently the stone market is flooded with flat, lifeless,commercial appearing, and mislabeled products. Growth having resulted from heartless replicating, cheap in price.  Lapidary as a true art form is being replaced by those with little compassion in pursuit to make a buck. Oddly supported by sales while ignoring obvious mis-representation. Indeed forgiven! Rewarded with money. Perhaps to those exhibiting a lack of  integrity. Truly an injustice to Stones! Equally felt if one was to ask, ones soul.


 A goal which has come to fruition. The collection featuring Collector Quality Cabochons, exclusively designed for you and your greater being.  Utilizing 35 years of art and design experience in creating an exclusive design as you have wished. Inclusive in your request will be my own artisan created pen and ink rendering before it is completed...If desired will refer you. From our extensive list of Professional Jewelry Designers, Artisan Wire Wrappers, and Metalsmiths to be employed for the purpose of creating a finished piece of jewelry perfect for you as is the stone. The appropriate jewelry designer and if wished my own talents of design all to be available in creating a magnificent piece of finished jewelry. Inspired by the soul featuring that stone.

 Silver-smiths, Wire Wrap Artist, and Jewelry Designers interested in "The Palette of Stone & Compassion" program. Please contact me for exciting further details.
    

Nevada Lazy Old Men Turquoise Mine, Utah Variscite, LostSierra Orchid Crystallene 

The inventory of lapidary stone materials is endless. Please allow 3/4 week delivery, after your signed rendering is completed. Contact for pricing and all inquires.
  
All sizes to be available, as well ear-rings or any other requests.  Do keep in mind a small canvas or in this case a custom stone...is not meant to accommodate mural type designs : )
    
Each stone will arrive with a signed Certificate of Authenticity, The Original Pen and Ink Art Rendering and any known information relevant about your stone. This Custom Collection is available and is offered thru this blog only LostSierraStones.

Nevada Lazy Old Men Turquoise Mine, Utah Variscite, LostSierra Orchid Crystallene

Nevada Lazy Old Men Turquoise Mine, LostSierra Orchid Crystallene

Nevada Lazy Old Men Turquoise Mine, Nevada Fluorite, LostSierra Crystallene

Nevada Lazy Old Men Turquoise Mine, Nevada Fluorite, Utah Variscite,

                                                 

"The Land of Mountain Aroma Therapy"

   Remember those days? When you were a kid, and the family was going for a trip, to a far away place. You could only imagine? The anticipation of collecting almost everything you own, and packing it strategically. You knew you were going to need, just in case, every piece you have packed. Perhaps you should pack more.

    Even when your comfortably past the half century mark in age, a trip through Nevada, re-kindles those youthful memories full-filling identical feelings. Anticipation and excitement of what awaits, just over the next mountain range.
This week-end began on a recommendations. "Hey take Hi-way 50, then along Hi-way 277" Sure why not, who doesn`t like to travel an undiscovered road. About 20 miles along the new road. Which as it turned out what was once, the only passage way thru this part of Nevada. It was as if transported to another world. Incredible out-crops of colored rocks. Sculptural Monoliths all back-dropped by the elusive green pinion pines heavy with ripe nuts. Lavender tinted Junipers were shedding their berries, bows hanging and dripping, as the scent filled the canyons, in an aroma therapy like experience. The Aspens and Choke Cherry`s were a blaze with Autumn Color as every winding turn revealed a new display. Over the mountain range, the hi-way became as straight as an arrow, thru desert playa`s and volcanic moon like rock outcrops along the valley floor. The horizon swallowed ones view matched by a huge blue sky and balmy temperatures. All that was missing was the convertible. Lush Green Alfalfa fields were covered, with healthy antelopes their coats so shiny they glistened in the light, being so close you could see the color of their big brown eyes. Birds of prey, would be perched on their favorite post, as to appear to greet then soar.                                                                                                              

Our first sign of life in near a 100 miles appeared. The small mountain town of Austin, Nevada. With a quick wave and a nod to the folks along main street, was off again traveling, the last leg of the Destination:
                                                THE LAZY OLD MEN TURQUOISE MINE

 Fellow friends and Co-Owners, Jim,Mike&Tony, had arrived the night prior. It`s hard to fully explain, once you arrive at the spiritual like location, the mine transforms ones senses with an invigorating energy. A place where brilliant colored minerals yield magnificent turquoise gemstones. The veins producing an ever changing appearance and beauty to the turquoise stones...
With true vision and quest, the Gem Stone is harvested in the most kind of ways. Never a blasting cap, nor
heavy equipment is used. Only respect for this magnificent stone. I have never proclaimed to be a Singer, a Poet, or even a Writer. I do proclaim to be an Artist. As such it is an honor, to create from this stone.

Wish to express from myself and the other co-owners, a huge "Thank-You"... to all the many supporting
artisans and those wearing admirers. Who have embraced and shared their excitement as well appreciation for "The lazy Old Men Turquoise".  Destined to be recognized as one of the most beautiful of all...
 

     Humphrey Loves the Mine!!

                                                 Bird in Flight!    Courtesy Photo : Mike
                                                      Graced by a Red Tailed Hawk!
                         

A Trip to the Center of Nevada , to visit "The Lazy Old Men Turquoise Mine"

 They say Hiway 50, traversing Nevada is,"The Loneliest Hiway in the world" in truth NOT! Once you leave, Fallon, Nevada, it may seem a bit Bleek. Until you cross, the first small pass, then it turns into an Oasis of remarkable scenery, vegetation, and Huge Skies, with billowy clouds. The rabbit brush, was in full bloom, and what a show they put on.
The landscape of the Mountains, still carried a tinge of green, and the desert, is painted with colorful graphics, as though it speaks to you. You can spend a day, reading Historical Sites, mostly of the
Shoshoni Indian Migratory routes. And of course the, "Pony Express
Trail" is well marked."

 Enjoy a couple of photos, and excitement to reach Austin,Nevada.

 

A Special Mine with a Special Energy and Soul "The Lazy Old Men Turquoise Mine"

 In my WILDEST dreams, would I have ever Imagined , how a trip to a Turquoise Mine, would envelop my entire soul. And refuel it with Energy of none the like. The center of Nevada is a Magical place. Filled with Pristine Valleys and Mountains of Stellar Silhouette .Each tree and Rock placed as a reference guide to Feng Shui . I feel like I have come full circle, with a Gem Stone, that will influence me for along time.  Somebody gifted us with a warm rain, over the week-end, that only  enhanced the Turquoise.

             With-out a doubt, the Most Beautiful Pictorial Turquoise Ever!

Pyramid Lake

A wonderful spot to camp and enjoy the peace and beauty before heading to The Black Rock Desert and Burning Man.

"Stone Mother" A Paiute Story About Pyramid Lake

One day the father of all Indians came to this area and lived on a mountain near stillwater. It is said that he was created near Reese River. He was a very great and good man. He was very lonesome and wished he had someone to keep him company.
One day, much later, Woman heard about man. She was married to Bear. She wished that someday she might see Man, and this made Bear very jealous. One day Woman and Bear had a fight. They fought for a long time and finally she knocked him down and killed him with a club. She decided to leave the country and go north in search of Man. She had many interesting experiences on her trip. Even today, her footprints can be seen along Mono Lake.
Near Yerington, she fought a giant who tried to eat her. She managed to kill him and his body turned to stone, where it can also be seen today.
She arrived at Stillwater Mountain at last. There she saw Man who was so handsome. She hid from him in for fear he might leave. One day, as Man was walking around he saw Woman's tracks. He started to look for her, and called out, saying that he knew she was around. At last she came out from hiding. She was nervous and very tired from her trip. He noticed this and spoke to her kindly. He asked her to go with him to his camp where he would give her food. She meekly followed him.
After they finished eating, Man asked Woman to stay with him. That night she stayed near the fire. The next night she slept by the door. Each night she moved a little closer. On the fifth night they were married. They had many children.
Their first born was a boy who was very mean. He was always causing trouble among the other children. One day when they were fighting, the father called the children together to talk to them. He told them that if they continued to fight he would have to separate them. They started fighting before he finished talking.
Man became very angry. He stopped them and said, I am going to separate you now. I shall go up to my home in the sky. When you die you will come up to me. All you have to do is follow the dusty-road (pointing to the Milky-Way). You will reach my home where I shall be waiting. Some day I hope that you will all come to your senses and live together in peace
Slowly he called the oldest boy and gave him one of the girls. He sent them west. They became the Pitt-Rivers. The other children who were peaceful, he kept at home. He told them that they were to take good care of their mother whom he was leaving with them. They became the "Paiutes". Then he went up into the mountains then up to the sky.
The Paiutes grew into a strong Tribe, but woman still grieved for her other children. Woman was so sad that she began to cry bitterly. She missed her other children very much. She cried more and more each day.

One day she decided to sit near a mountain where she could look toward Pitt River country. She sat there day after day crying. Her tears fell so fast that they formed a great lake beneath her. This became "Pyramid Lake". She sat so long that she turned to stone. There she remained to this day, sitting on the Eastern shore of Pyramid Lake, with her basket by her side.

The "Kuyuidokado" (Pyramid Lake Paiutes/Cui-ui eaters) call her "Stone Mother".

The First World "A Navajo Legend"

The First World

A Navajo Legend

The First World, Ni'hodilqil, was black as black wool. It had four corners, and over these appeared four clouds. These four clouds contained within themselves the elements of the First World. They were in color, black, white, blue, and yellow.
The Black Cloud represented the Female Being or Substance. For as a child sleeps when being nursed, so life slept in the darkness of the Female Being. The White Cloud represented the Male Being or Substance. He was the Dawn, the Light-Which-Awakens, of the First World.
In the East, at the place where the Black Cloud and the White Cloud met, First Man, Atse'hastqin was formed; and with him was formed the white corn, perfect in shape, with kernels covering the whole ear. Dolionot i'ni is the name of this first seed corn, and it is also the name of the place where the Black Cloud and the White Cloud met.
The First World was small in size, a floating island in mist or water. On it there grew one tree, a pine tree, which was later brought to the present world for firewood.
Man was not, however, in his present form. The conception was of a male and a female being who were to become man and woman. The creatures of the First World are thought of as the Mist People; they had no definite form, but were to change to men, beasts, birds, and reptiles of this world.
Now on the western side of the First World, in a place that later was to become the Land of Sunset, there appeared the Blue Cloud, and opposite it there appeared the Yellow Cloud. Where they came together First Woman was formed, and with her the yellow corn. This ear of corn was also perfect. With First Woman there came the white shell and the turquoise and the yucca.
First Man stood on the eastern side of the First World. He represented the Dawn and was the Life Giver. First Woman stood opposite in the West. She represented Darkness and Death.
First Man burned a crystal for a fire. The crystal belonged to the male and was the symbol of the mind and of clear seeing. When First Man burned it, it was the mind's awakening.
First Woman burned her turquoise for a fire. They saw each other's lights in the distance. When the Black Cloud and the White Cloud rose higher in the sky, First Man set out to find the turquoise light. He went twice without success, and again a third time; then he broke a forked branch from his tree, and, looking through the fork, he marked the place where the light burned. And the fourth time he walked to it and found smoke coming from a home.
"Here is the home I could not find," First Man said.
First Woman answered: "Oh, it is you. I saw you walking around and I wondered why you did not come."
Again the same thing happened when the Blue Cloud and the Yellow Cloud rose higher in the sky. First Woman saw a light and she went out to find it. Three times she was unsuccessful, but the fourth time she saw the smoke and she found the home of First Man.
"I wondered what this thing could be," she said.
"I saw you walking and I wondered why you did not come to me," First Man answered.
First Woman saw that First Man had a crystal for a fire, and she saw that it was stronger than her turquoise fire. And as she was thinking, First Man spoke to her. "Why do you not come with your fire and we will live together." The woman agreed to this. So instead of the man going to the woman, as is the custom now, the woman went to the man.
About this time there came another person, the Great-Coyote-Who-Was- Formed-in-the-Water, and he was in the form of a male being. He told the two that he had been hatched from an egg. He knew all that was under the water and all that was in the skies.
First Man placed this person ahead of himself in all things. The three began
Also read:
to plan what was to come to pass; and while they were thus occupied another being came to them. He also had the form of a man, but he wore a hairy coat, lined with white fur, that fell to his knees and was belted in at the waist. His name was Atse'hashke', First Angry or Coyote.
He said to the three: "You believe that you were the first persons. You are mistaken. I was living when you were formed."
Then four beings came together. They were yellow in color and were called the tsts'na. or wasp people. They knew the secret of shooting evil and could harm others. They were very powerful.
This made eight people.
Four more beings came. They were small in size and wore red shirts and had little black eyes. They were the naazo'zi or spider ants. They knew how to sting, and were a great people.
After these came a whole crowd of beings. Dark colored they were, with thick lips and dark, protruding eyes. They were the wolazhi'ni, the black ants. They also knew the secret of shooting evil and were powerful; but they killed each other steadily.
By this time there were many people. Then came a multitude of little creatures. They were peaceful and harmless, but the odor from them was unpleasant. They were called the wolazhi'ni nlchu nigi, meaning that which emits an odor.
And after the wasps and the different ant people there came the beetles, dragonflies, bat people, the Spider Man and Woman, and the Salt Man and Woman, and others that rightfully had no definite form but were among those people who peopled the First World. And this world, being small in size, became crowded, and the people quarreled and fought among themselves, and in all ways made living very unhappy.

LostSierra to Your Bezel : )