Another day! Another sweltering day. The show closed early for safety as it was just too hot.

My brain does not like to be too hot, but I valiantly shopped on and bought quite a lot today. I could have taken loads of photographs but the show was open to the public today and it was packed. Walking around with bags, a dog and my brolley took a lot of focus so I only managed a few. Marcus has been a saint - looking after me with cold water, ice creams, general care.

I couldn't resist taking a photograph of this Lapis Lazuli - such a fabulous colour. There’s a lot of Lapis here of varying quality. I bought a few top grade pieces - not cheap but very lovely. I also bought some gorgeous Manganocalcite and Pink Aragonite - and a stunning piece of Nephrite Jade for myself. I didn’t know there was Jade in Afghanistan. I was chatting to one of the men and told him that I had been to Afghanistan almost 50 years ago. It’s true. That was an adventure and a half. If you’re interested, you can ask me about it one day.
He introduced me to his ‘big boss’ who told me that Jade is a new discovery from the Hellman area of Afghanistan.

I almost had one of those moments where my children comment on my statements with a strong ‘Mother!’ I cought myself in time, so I will just say - just look at the size of those spheres.

Sorting bags and boxes and receipts is another task when we get back but I have managed a few photographs of a very few of today’s purchases.

Yesterday I saw these super sparkly guys! I’m pretty sure they’ve had a little help from human hand but I loved them. I went on to buy lots of ‘natural pieces’ but couldn’t get these out of my head. They have a very happy, uplifting, zingy energy that is fresh and bright so today I went back and bought quite a lot - shapes like these, standing points, hearts. Here’s a taster. I haven’t yet worked out the prices so these can’t be preordered.

I absolutely love these sparkly Rutilated Quartz polished pieces. I don’t find it easy to buy lovely Rutilated Quartz. They will be £12 when they get to the shop, which isn’t cheap but this quality is hard to find. Preorder for £9

SPECIAL OFFER - PREORDER - Save £3

Email to preorder

What about these!!
Herkimer necklaces!
They’ll be Afghan ‘Herkimer type’ but they are so sparkly.
Aren’t they just gorgeous.

They will be £63 in the shop but you can preorder for £59

SPECIAL OFFER - PREORDER - save £4

Email to preorder

You know how much we love Smokies so I was very excited to find these beauties. I love them! Buying by the kilo requires quite a lot of maths to work out individual prices and my brain is beyond that at present, but I wanted to show you,

From the same man, I bought some nice little Lemurians. These aren’t top grade but they are nice. I bought some top grade Lemurians and other crystals yesterday but they are very carefully wrapped for our journey home.

We had a sprinkling of rain and even a bit of thunder. How strange it is, after what has felt like a spring of endless rain, to be so excited by a few drops of precious water. I’m writing this sitting outside our lovely Airbnb on the edge of a pine forest. The birds are singing. Merryn is napping in her bed next to me. All is good in my world and I hope it is in your world too.