Purple and Proud – A Provincial Keepsake
Background
People have long used natural materials such as bone, wood, shells, fibre or stone for artistic expression. Some of the most lasting creations have used rocks and minerals. Today, we can appreciate rock-based art created anywhere from many thousands of years ago to the present day because of the endurance of stone. From prehistoric pictographs (drawn or painted) and petroglyphs (carved) on cave walls and the famous Stone Age Venus figurines through to spectacular Greek friezes, intricately carved Asian temples (Angkor Wat) and Renaissance masterpieces, rocks and minerals have yielded incredible art.
Your kids can also produce works of art with rocks and minerals. First of all, they are natural collectors; how often do kids go home with rocks in their pockets? Ask them to use any rocks and minerals they have collected to create a short “show and tell” video to share. Naturally creative, they can then transform their rocks into beautiful pieces of art, with some additional lessons, guidance and resourcefulness.
While many may know that the provincial flower of Ontario is the White Trillium and the provincial bird is the Common Loon, few know the provincial mineral emblem. Ontario’s mineral emblem is the Amethyst. Adopted in 1975 as Ontario’s official mineral emblem, Amethyst represents the mineral wealth of the province. It is a form of quartz that is found in clusters throughout northern Ontario, concentrating around the area of Thunder Bay. Amethyst crystals in that area are believed to be over one billion years old.
Have your teens create beautiful Amethyst necklaces for themselves or to give as a gift. They will each wrap an Amethyst stone with a cradle of copper wire and attach it to a cord or create a macramé knotted gemstone bag. If you don’t have a sample of amethyst - use any rock or mineral sample.
Materials
- A roll of medium gauge copper wire
- Tumbled Amethyst stones or other regional gemstones
- Waxed cotton / hemp cords or chains
- Long-nose pliers
- Clear nail polish
Instructions
- You will need 30 cm of copper wire, an Amethyst and enough cord to meet their desired length of necklace.
- Using fingers and long-nose pliers, wrap the copper wire around the stone in several directions. No two cradles will be the same since each gemstone has its own unique shape and each teen will use their discretion on how to best cradle the gemstone.
- Twist the copper wire together at the top of the stone to hold it in place.
- Create a loop for the cord to pass through.
- Coat the wire and stone with clear nail polish to prevent tarnishing and allow to dry.
- Thread the hemp/cotton cord through the loop and tie the ends together.
