CARVING UP SUNSHINE

Finally! I've gotten a chance to use the few carved carnelian beads that I have left with the remainder of the Chinese turquoise with the copper veining. I love carnelian because of its variations in color -- from the very light toasty tones of these beads to the incredibly deep, dark and mysterious rust of the carnelian I have in an antique signet ring. That's the thing about carnelian: it's soft enough to be used in intaglio etched cabachon or to be manipulated into really interesting shaped beads, like these fluted ones. Besides which, carnelian is my birthstone and I've always been drawn to oranges and reds. What Leo isn't? Price: $120.