A photographer I truly admire took an incredible photo of a Taos Sunset. The vivid oranges and purples were offset with the pale blue sky and some yellow and white in the clouds. This is my version of that photo!

I used Amethyst faceted rounds and teardrops, Blue Lace Agate faceted rondelles, Carnelian facets, Citrine and Quartz Crystal cut ovals and Red Jasper round beads. It's finished with Delica Glass spacer beads and a filigree silver filled slide and lock clasp. The short strand is 18 inches and the longest one is 21 3/4 inches. It's sparkly and has so much contrast in the shapes and colors.

firemountaingems.com says, "With purple being the color of royalty in the ancient Mediterranean, amethyst quickly became a symbol of power and wealth. It adorned the robes and crowns of monarchs and was valued as highly as ruby, emerald, and sapphire. Amethyst continues to hold court in the regalia of royalty and religious leaders alike—including pieces in the British Crown Jewels and those worn by officials in the Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic Church.

Amethyst is also the birthstone for February. Amethyst meaning today often connects to peace, clarity and spiritual growth, making it a thoughtful gift and a powerful choice in jewelry design.

Because of its mythic association with sobriety, amethyst has long been believed to prevent intoxication and curb indulgence. These amethyst properties have made the stone a symbol of clarity, discipline and wisdom. Worn to enhance decision-making and protect the mind, amethyst was often gifted to young warriors to promote clear thinking in battle.

Leonardo da Vinci claimed amethyst could dispel evil thoughts and sharpen the intellect. It has been used by healers to heighten intuition and spiritual awareness. Across cultures, amethyst meaning represents peace, serenity and unity. Many people use amethyst during meditation for spiritual balance and clarity.

Some naturopaths also associate amethyst with supporting sleep, regulating sugar imbalances and relieving headaches."

"Various types of agate, like blue lace agate gemstones, have been valued throughout history, all the way back to the Neolithic Era. It is believed these stones were originally used as amulets of healing, and this tradition continued through Ancient Greek and Egyptian civilizations. It's said the Greek philosopher Theophrastus gave agate its name because he found the stone in the Achates River of present-day Sicily, Italy. (The river has since been renamed the Dirillo River.)

Blue lace agate was first brought to the attention of the Western world in the 1960s, when it was discovered in Namibia, and named for the cloud-like white banding on its sky-blue surface. Since then, it has also been found in India, South Africa, China, Brazil, and Arizona and California in the United States.

With its soft blue color, it's no surprise that blue lace agate meaning is said to involve soothing and peace. The circular, graceful banding is stimulating but still exudes a calm energy. Blue lace agate is said to be a stone of communication, making it easier for people to become confident and articulate. For this reason, it's considered a good idea to wear jewelry with blue lace agate or carry a stone in your pocket when required to speak in public. As a bonus, blue lace agate is sometimes referred to as the Stone of the Diplomat, helping ensure your words are not angry and your meaning is clear. Since agate has a slower vibration frequency than most stones, it is valued as a stabilizing gemstone. Agate is a birthstone associated with the months of May, June and even September, depending on the culture. Agate as a general gemstone is also connected to the Zodiac signs Gemini and Capricorn."

"Carnelian is believed to be named after the red-orange Kornel cherry. Artifacts using carnelian date back to the Bronze Age circa 1800 BC on the island of Crete. Carnelian was believed by the Romans to be a stone of courage—able to shore up confidence and strength. In ancient Egypt, the stone was placed on mummies to assist the dead in their journey to the afterlife while architects to the pharaohs wore carnelian to denote rank and status. In the Middle Ages, carnelian was used by alchemists when boiling stone to release the energy of other gemstones.

Carnelian is the birthstone for the zodiac sign of Virgo (August 23 - September 22). For most cultures, from the 15th to the 20th century, carnelian was one of four birthstones for August. In 1912, the United States adopted peridot as the August birthstone, however in 2013, Britain recognized carnelian as a secondary birthstone after ruby.

From antiquity, carnelian has been worn in cameos in the belief that it would ward off insanity and depression. In contemporary times, carnelian is thought by some to enhance self-esteem and creativity, to combat feelings of inadequacy, to increase physical energy and overcome insomnia. In the home, carnelian is believed to increase motivation towards action. It is sometimes used as a talisman to protect against fire and misfortune."

"Its name is derived from the Latin word citrina because of its pale yellow citrus color (due to its iron content). From the earliest times, citrine was called the "sun stone" and believed to hold sunlight, offering protection from snakebites. The stone’s golden hue linked it to wealth and prosperity, earning it the nickname merchant’s stone. To the Romans, it was associated with Mercury, the messenger god, and commonly used to carve intaglios.

Citrine meaning is often connected to joy, abundance, and positivity. This golden gemstone is known as the success stone, the merchant’s stone and the money stone—each name reflecting its reputation for attracting prosperity and uplifting energy. Citrine meaning also ties into its symbolism as the November birthstone and its association with the zodiac sign Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21). Believed to radiate sun-like warmth, citrine is thought to brighten moods and inspire a more optimistic outlook.

This vibrant yellow gem is linked with personal power, motivation and creativity. Many wearers and designers believe citrine promotes emotional well-being, attracts prosperity and encourages positive communication."

"Quartz crystal was once believed to be an eternal ice sent by the heavenly gods. Until the late 1500s, many scholars thought this stone was fossilized ice. Quartz crystal is actually a mineral—one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust—composed of silicon and oxygen.

Quartz can be icy clear or have inclusions, veils, bubbles and various colors. It is also known as rock crystal, crystal quartz, universal crystal or clear quartz.

People in the earliest recorded times believed in the magical powers of quartz. Ancient Roman, Egyptian and Greek civilizations used quartz crystals as potent talismans. The word quartz is thought to come from the German word "quarz," and the word crystal comes from the Greek word "krystallos," which means ice.

The ancient Japanese believed quartz formed from the breath of a white dragon and regarded quartz crystal meaning to be perfection. Quartz has been used throughout history in rain rituals, in crystal skulls and in crystal balls, used to predict the future since the Middle Ages.

Once thought to be eternal ice sent by the gods, quartz crystal is actually a mineral that is prized by many for magical, mystical and implied metaphysical powers. Not only that, in electronics, quartz crystal meaning is tied to its ability to maintain a consistent frequency when subjected to an electric current. Learn more about this storied gemstone, its believed properties and how to incorporate it into jewelry designs with this video."

"Jasper is an opaque chalcedony that comes in a wide variety of colors. The term "jasper" itself comes from the Greek work iaspi, meaning "spotted stone." Unlike most jasper, which is a heavily banded variety of chalcedony, brick red jasper is almost one pure color. Jasper is a gemstone that has been used all over the world, and it has often been revered as sacred. According to Norse legend, the magic sword of Siegfried the dragon slayer was inlaid with this gemstone. Egyptians believed the stone to be associated with Isis, and it was carved into amulets for the dead. There is also speculation it was actually red jasper (not ruby) that adorned the sacred breastplate of Aaron.

Jasper has long been a favorite stone among ancient civilizations and is still popular today. Learn some fun facts about red jasper, from its physical properties to its place in legend and history.

Jasper, in all its forms, is considered a powerful healing stone. Jasper is regarded as a gemstone that gives a sense of well-being, intensifying that feeling. Red jasper meaning has been associated with protection for thousands of years. It is believed this jasper has an ability to create and help balance aggressive, dynamic energy. Red jasper was used to staunch wounds and increase fertility. Red jasper meaning is linked to the root chakra."

Taos Sunset is an unusual color combination that came directly from the sunset photo! There is always a time for a unique necklace! Adding Taos Sunset to your jewelry wardrobe will give you a true statement necklace that's ideal for Autumn outfits!