This necklace and earring set is composed of faceted Labradorite roundels, vintage sky blue faceted crystal cones and gray freshwater pearls. The arrangement of the cone-shaped crystals remind me of little bow ties. The Schiller (eye-catching optical effects) quality of the Labradorite beads is stunning. This gem is named for Labrador, Newfoundland, northeast Canada, where the gem was first identified by geologists in the 1770's.This set reminds me of my friend Jim Jontz (photo provided by Jim's first wife, Elaine Caldwell Emmi) who passed away last Saturday in Portland, Oregon. Jim studied geology at Indiana University. I met Jim while I was a student at Purdue University. Bill and Penny Parmenter brought him to one of our meetings of Purdue Environmental Action, a student chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America. Jim was serving as the caretaker for Fall Creek Gorge Nature Preserve, a uniquely beautiful spot in Warren County, Indiana. For a description and photos please see http://www.dcwi.com/~eric/goot/fallcrk.htm. The gorge was threatened by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam proposed for Big Pine Creek. This was Jim's home base when he decided to run for the Indiana House of Representatives. Later, Jim would run and serve in the Indiana State Senate and the U.S. Congress.
Jim and the dam fighters prevailed so this spot of natural beauty is still there for our enjoyment. I think that whenever I visit a place of natural beauty such as Fall Creek Gorge or look at a gemstone with such special qualities it will remind me of Jim Jontz.
Continuing the comparison between Jim Jontz and Labradorite, I have the following additional thoughts:
- Jim Jontz was a "true-blue" (loyal, faithful, staunch) supporter of the environment, working families, senior citizens and utility ratepayers.
- Jim Jontz was "like a rock" to borrow the title of the song written by Bob Seger. See if you think the lyrics apply to Jim--
Words and music by Bob Seger:
Stood there boldly
Sweatin in the sun
Felt like a million
Felt like number one
The height of summer
Id never felt that strong
Like a rock
I was eighteen
Didnt have a care
Working for peanuts
Not a dime to spare
But I was lean and
Solid everywhere
Like a rock
My hands were steady
My eyes were clear and bright
My walk had purpose
My steps were quick and light
And I held firmly
To what I felt was right
Like a rock
Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
Like a rock, nothin ever got to me
Like a rock, I was something to see
Like a rock
And I stood arrow straight
Unencumbered by the weight
Of all these hustlers and their schemes
I stood proud, I stood tall
High above it all
I still believed in my dreams
Twenty years now
Whered they go?
Twenty years
I dont know
Sit and I wonder sometimes
Where theyve gone
And sometimes late at night
When Im bathed in the firelight
The moon comes callin a ghostly white
And I recall
Recall
Like a rock. standin arrow straight
Like a rock, chargin from the gate
Like a rock, carryin the weight
Like a rock
Like a rock, the sun upon my skin
Like a rock, hard against the wind
Like a rock, I see myself again
Like a rock
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