Who Attention Mr. Ma Re...

[chrono]

You've been a great resource, friend and teacher in the Coloured Stone forum. I hope you'll share as much as you feel comfortable here in Who's Who so that others may know you better while enjoying your unique sense of humour.

 

[ma re]

No problem. So some basics would be:

- location; Croatia
- age; 28
- lives; with parents
- siblings; youngest of three
- parents; retired
- favorite color; try to figure out from the avatar
- pets; a cat
- pet''s name; a literal translation would be "a male cat", cause in Croatian there are separate words for a he-cat and a she-cat; BTW, that''s the only name any of my four cats ever had
- employment; unemployed
- profession; economist (accountant)
- education; high-school degree
- foreign languages; fluent English (at least I hope so), not so fluent Spanish and German

I''m also partially disabled (meaning that I don''t use wheelchair, but I have a bit of a problem walking) due to an inborn disease which weakend my leg muscles and influenced my sense of balance (among other things).

Well, that would be pretty much it when it comes to the more important stuff. Let me know what I missed

 

[LaraOnline]

How very interesting.
Your persona seemed somewhat exotic to me.. how can that be, when it is only an avatar and your posts that would give me that feeling...and now I see you live in Croatia!!

Nice to make your 'virtual' acquaintance, Mr Ma Re!

 

[ma re]

Well, maybe you were influenced by my avatar, but it only indicates my prefered style of jewellery (actually one of them).

Oh, forgot to mention that I sing in a church choire for about 10 years now (I''m a bass) and that my favorite sport is tennis, whose results I follow quite regularly.

 

[Harriet]

Hi,
Whereabouts in Croatia do you live? I''ve only been to Dubrovnik.

 

[LaraOnline]

I''ve never been to Croatia, and I''d be interested to ask all sorts of naff questions, like... how big is the town / city that you live in? Inland or by the sea? Do you have any photos of your surrounding environment? Is it a Catholic choir...? See, dumb questions, like that!

 

[ma re]

I''m on the east end of Croatia, inland, about as far away from Dubrovnik as you can be without crossing the border. I was actually once there on vacation - well, not the city itself, but a small place nearby so one day we went to see Dubrovnik. It was like a million years ago. Harriet (or anyone interested), if you come visit again, do a bit of research as to where to buy corals in Croatia, cause in the past we were known for some of the highest qualities of red coral in the world. On one island there are still small workshops where people string them into necklaces and stuff (I can find things out if you''re interested). But for long periods throughout history we were often occupied by other countries, and seaside places were no exceptions, so historic books will often write about high qualities of "Venetian" or "Italian" corals - while in fact, those were mostly Croatian.

Oh, the choire is Catholic, the place is about 10 thousand people and you''ll have to wait for some photos, but I think I can provide them.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Hello ma re,

I am reading your thread with great interest, and I too hope you will be able to post photos of your corner of the world. I am sure it is very green and very beautiful.

We actually got married in Hvar last year. We spent time in Opatija, visited some of the hilltop towns in Istria, Plitvice and Zagreb. I had hoped to make it to Cigoc (to see the storks). Have you been there? That''s as far east as we would have made it, but never did.

Croatia is so beautiful. We hope to make it back again one day. I''d really like to do a farm stay on our next trip there. Oh, and the food was also so beautiful and delicious. Our favorite dish, which we try to replicate unsuccessfully at home, is very simple. I forget what it is called, but it is potatoes, garlic, olive oil and swiss chard. It was so unbelievably good. It is a side dish, but I would have been happy with it as a main meal. Do you know what I am referring to?

Ok, so now back to you -- how do you know so much about gem stones? And, again, I would love to see some photos!

 

[ma re]

Wow, seems like all the tourists that ever come to Croatia are PriceScopers

Loves Vintage, yes, my part of Croatia is quite green as east is part of the country dedicated to agriculture, due to a lot of very fertile soil. Around my town there are a lot of villages with a few hundred residents each, where people grow crops and feed livestock. It''s still far from developed like in the EU or USA, so people from those places would probably consider it somewhat exotic.

I haven''t been to Cigoc, but have heard a lot about it. Due to my dissability I''m not much of a traveler, but hope I''ll change that soon. BTW, storks are very common here and we have them building nests on rooftops and all kinds of elevated structures. They come every spring, and return to Africa in the late summer. Your stay in Croatia sounds really great, cause you''ve seen some of the most beautiful parts of the country. One place that I think you should also see is Krka National Park, near the town of Sibenik. It''s got some really beautiful nature and amazing waterfalls.

Regarding the dish you mention, sounds like something you tried while on the seaside, and that''s not something we often have here, inland. Their dishes are influenced by Italian and sometimes Greek cousines, and ours gravitates more towards Hungary etc., so can''t help you with dish I. D.

- but I can do a research and let you know what I come up with. BTW, how come you decided to get married here?

I know a lot about gems only because I''m passionate about the subject. I guess there are even some good sides of being unemployed and disabled - you have a lot of spare time and don''t go out much, so I''m most of the time in front of my laptop, reading and researching about gems and jewellery. I''m also interested in some other fields that are to a point connected with these two, like optics, nature of light, physics of color etc., so I combine knowledge from all of them and use it as needed to make conclusions.

Well I''ve really gone the distance this time...

 

[LaraOnline]

How interesting!

I would like to hear you wax lyrical about your opinions regarding coloured stones...
No doubt, I should be trawling through your cooured stone posts, but if yu have an essay in your head, [please feel free...

Are you interested in the historical aspect of coloured stones (eg their importance in royal jewels)?
What is your opinion regarding the wearability of coloured gems, particularly in relation to hardness, durability, uv issues etc?

What are your favourite gems? I know this has been undoubtedly been canvassed, but I would be interested in your own personal experiences as well, for example do you put your knowledge to work and collect at all?

Are there ''gem favourites'', either mined or popular in Croatian history and culture? You''ve already mentioned the coral, thank you for the intersting snippet!

 

[ma re]

Larra,

Essay - I don''t have it planed in the near future and have really never thought of doing something like that, but now that you mention it, I actually have some writting talent (according to my teachers) and have won some competitions in writing during my education, so you never know. Speaking of books, one that tought me a lot about not only gems, but jewellery in general is Gemstones, quality and value by Yasukazu Suwa. There are three volumes available, and a large part of vol. 3 is available in a form of articles on the author''s company website, www.suwagem.com
But be warned, that after reading that book, you''ll become so picky about gems that nothing will be good enough anymore

History - absolutely! Actually, gemstones made me fall in love with history. In school, I remember that I was always bored to death in history classes, but after discovering gems (so to speak) I can''t get enough of it.

Wearability - no gem should be worn daily in rings, if you ask me. Especially when it comes to quality pieces, I think they should be enjoyed, but also cared for, so that their beauty is preserved for as long as possible. They are gifts of nature and should be treated as such. I wouldn''t wear stones with a hardness lower than 7 in bracelets or rings, unless they''re cabochons or something really affordable. Cabs don''t wear off as much as faceted stones, of course. But I think people over-emphasize hardness and neglect considerations such as toughness, which tells even more about particular gem''s wearability. Oh, as much as I know, there is not a lot of gems which are light or heat sensitive, so I wouldn''t even start with that. Not to mention that there are some much more qualified experts than me here...

Jee, now I see that I''m not even half way down your questions list...

Favorites - in no particular order; citrine, lapis, opal, spessartite (yellow and orange), pearl, ruby, amber, emerald, rhodolite, sapphire (yellow, orange, blue or violet) and zircon (red or brown) - I''m kind of indecisive

Collecting - it''s still on a wish list since I''m unemployed. But even when I find a job, I''m not sure I''d be able to collect as economic situation here is such that folks can''t afford top quality stones, and there are also no places to buy such things. Of course, you can buy stones online, but importing duties are such that I''d probably pay more for postage and duties than for the stone I ordered (well almost). I''ll probably only buy things that I''ll wear.

Gems in Croatia - nope, nothing, nada. Unfortuantelly, we don''t have any real deposits except some agates and similar things found near the mountain ranges. I heard there were small qualities of natural freshwater pearls, but gems are just not popular here, so it''s hard to even get the information about them. In the past, people here adorned themselves mostly with gold and coin jewellery was especially popular. Even today, most folks don''t even show interest in buying gems, and they consider stuff like CZ or other synthetics they see in mass produced jewellery, to be gemstones

We don''t even have a single cutter, as there''s no market in such a "cultural climate", and even if people would know more about them, there''s only about 4 million of us, so it''s a really small market. I know of maybe 2 real jewellers (meaning, more than just goldsmiths) in the whole country, and according to my knowledge, there''s 2 or 3 qualified gemologists in the whole country. Pathetic.

Does this qualify as an essay?

 

[Loves Vintage]

mr. ma re,

Ahh, the area in which you live sounds very beautiful. I once visited a farm in southeast Poland that sounds like it might be similar to the villages near you. To me, it was one of the most perfect places I've ever been. They too have storks visiting every year. The owner built a platform on a very high pole and the same storks come every year. Unfortunately, I was there in late September, and they had already left. I suppose you really don't have to visit Cigoc at all, since you have your own storks.

I saw a travel special on Plitvice. After that, I always wanted to visit Croatia. My husband and I wanted to elope (sort of a planned elopement) and thought it would be special to go away. I always wanted to get married in a national park, so at first we talked about Plitvice and even considered Krka (beautiful poppy fields too) at one point. We agreed on Hvar because I wanted to see the lavender fields. We got married at the summer residence of 16th century poet Hanibal Lucic. (Perhaps you've read his work?) The home is now a museum. It was very lovely.

I looked up the name of the dish after I wrote about it yesterday. It is called blitva, although that may be the name of the vegetable itself. And, yes, we did have it while on the coast. Perhaps that is the reason why we cannot replicate it. Having it at a seaside restaurant is quite different from having it at home!

I think it's great that you've educated yourself on gemstones to the point of being able to speak about them as an expert. I haven't spent much time at all in the colored stones forum, but after a recent experience with a too small OEC diamond for a pendant (or at least too small for the pendant I had it set in), I think I will be spending some time over there for my next project! Maybe I will see you there!

 

[ma re]

LV,

sounds like you really had a great time here. Plitvice are (are cause it''s a plural in Croatian, as they are lakes) great even in the winter - it''s really cool to see frozen waterfalls; I''ve seen footage on TV. And speaking of Hvar, a neighbour of mine was there on vacation last year (and the year before) and brought me a little wooden treasure chest full of fresh lavender which I emptied once the scent got weaker and now use it as a jewellery box - still smells like lavender. I haven''t read anything from H. Lucic (my teacher would probably be horrified right now), but I learned about him in school. Blitva is a veggie i.e. it''s a Croatian name for swiss chard. Honestly, when you wrote swiss chard in your earlier post, I didn''t even know what it is and didn''t look up the dictionary - if I would''ve, I''d recognize the dish by ingredients, as we also have that side dish sometimes with grilled fish. Can''t say I''m a big fan; I''m more of a "pasta with anything" type of person. As promissed, here''s a recipe I found online (first say your prayers that all my translations are accurate and make sure you both have life insurance

):

2 lbs of potatoes
2 lbs of swiss chard
a bit of salt
2-3 whole garlics
1-3 spoons of oil (olive or other)

Cut potatoes (to cubes) and let cook in salty water. Wash swiss chard and cut it to aprox. 1 cm wide stripes. When potatoes are almost done, add swiss chard and let cook for another 10 minutes (or so). Parch garlic on oil until it''s the color of unheated fancy yellow sapphire

- this is a gem forum, after all. Add garlic to the rest and let it cook a bit more. In the end, mash potates a bit and serve.

Hope it turns out better this time

 

[chrono]

This is great! You are even more interesting that I could ever suspect - all the way from Croatia! I know we PSers come from all over the world but that''s really far away. I hope you''ll be able to share some pictures of your town with us. It sounds like a lovely place.

 

[VRBeauty]

Mr. Ma Re:

I''m reading your posts with great interest! I love the recipe you offered -- I do believe that''s the first time I''ve ever read a recipe that used sapphires (of any color

) as a point of comparison!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Hi, Mr Ma Re! Great reading a little about you.

Your corner of the world sounds very lovely. I hope to visit some day.

 

[Gailey]

Mr Ma Re,

Gosh what an interesting story so far. Please tell us how you came to be so interested in jewellery and gems and so knowledgeable, when you live in a part of the world that doesn''t give you a lot of exposure to your hobby. How did you find Pricescope? You''ve provided such remarkable insight and help to so many since you have been here.

The story of your homeland is fascinating, I would never have guessed in a million years!

 

[ma re]

Gailey,

well I guess I always had some interest in things like color and light. To explain; I was always, and still am, fascinated with things like fireworks, christmas lights, use of indoor lighting etc., and some of my favorite scenes from nature include sunsets and sunrises. So for such a person, it''s really not difficult to develop an interest in gemstones. I also love everything connected with nature, love spending time in the garden, enjoy plants and pets, so I guess I like them (gems) for that reason too. I was always a fan of anything that was brightly colored, and my room is the most brightly colored one in our house (the color of peridot - love it). And since childhood I remember being interested in jewellery, at least those forms of it that I could find (my golden chain and various little charms, mom''s rings and necklaces, dad''s signet and wedding ring...). I guess I first encountered gems in movies, and there were events like televized royal weddings and documentaries - I was fascinated. I found PriceScope the same way I find most things online - by accident; and was it a lucky one or what

To conclude, here are some links for those interested in pics (my personal photos are larger than what you can upload here, so you''ll have to settle with these for now):

HERE are a few from the history of my place

THIS ONE and THIS ONE show a bit of nature

SOME showing local culture and monuments

MY primary school

Well, that''s it for now.

 

[chrono]

Thank you for the links to your country - if only I could read the words. I'd bet it's a very interesting read. I enjoy learning about other cultures.

 

[AdiS]

Ha! It turns out we''re almost neighbours, Mr Ma Re!

It''s so interesting reading about you, you really are such a knowledgeable person!

 

[ma re]

Date: 5/12/2009 5:41:51 AM
Author: AdiS
Ha! It turns out we''re almost neighbours, Mr Ma Re!

It''s so interesting reading about you, you really are such a knowledgeable person!

Details, details, do tell more - I''m not a psychic (yet)

P. S. Sorry for a late response, I almost forgot about this thread lately.

 

[AdiS]

Date: 5/25/2009 2:03:46 AM
Author: ma re

Date: 5/12/2009 5:41:51 AM
Author: AdiS
Ha! It turns out we''re almost neighbours, Mr Ma Re!

It''s so interesting reading about you, you really are such a knowledgeable person!

Details, details, do tell more - I''m not a psychic (yet)

P. S. Sorry for a late response, I almost forgot about this thread lately.

lol I''m from Bulgaria. Hubby and I are actually considering a vacation in Croatia this summer and I had no idea we had croatian PSers!

 

[PinkTower]

Mr. ma re,

How interesting!
I always thought you were from Asia, your avatar looks
Asian to me.

I am not surprised to know you love tennis. Croatia produces some great tennis players. We knew a family here from Croatia, and both their boys went on to play college tennis.

Very nice to meet you. I live in Georgia, in the United States, not the one in your area!

Pink

 

[ma re]

Date: 6/30/2009 3:29:44 PM
Author: Pink Tower



Mr. ma re,

How interesting!
I always thought you were from Asia, your avatar looks
Asian to me.

I am not surprised to know you love tennis. Croatia produces some great tennis players. We knew a family here from Croatia, and both their boys went on to play college tennis.

Very nice to meet you. I live in Georgia, in the United States, not the one in your area!

Pink

I hear that a lot, but I made that one my avatar (don''t own that ring BTW) cause Asian cultures (India and arabian countries in particular) are some of my favorite jewellery influences. Not to mention that my favorite historic jewellery period is art deco which is largely influenced by ancient Egypt and uses a lot of geometry, just like arabian arts.

Nice to meet you too

 

[Indylady]

I have to admit that I thought the same at first!

 

[Arkteia]

Hi Ma Re,

I must admit I enjoy your postings and your advices.
Since we both speak Slavic languages - what is the name of your cat? In Russian it would be "Kot".
I''ve noticed that you spend much time at a computer and that you have limited mobility...Are there any promising ways of treament? Anything new and promising?

 

[MAC-W]

Hi Mr Ma Re,

just found this thread and it''s very interesting to read about you and your life. You are so knowledgeable about gemstones I find it ''sad'' that you dont have the opportunity to view/handle/buy in croatia (sad is the wrong word but I couldnt think of another that expressed my thoughts properly so thats why its in inverted commas). Hopefully at some point in the future you will have the opportunity to travel outside Croatia and visit a gem capital and/or gem show and have a fabulous time.

I''ve never been to Croatia, but I did spend 9 months working in Trieste, which is v.close to the Croatian border. That was back in the late 90''s and I''m ashamed to say I was too scared to travel into Croatia. I worked for an American company at that time and they kept sending out travel warnings about how dangerous Croatia was, so I chickened out, but now really regret it. I''m now back living in Australia (with no intentions of ever moving again) so my chances of seeing Croatia are zero to none, but it is one of my very few regrets in life that I was not brave enough to disregard the travel warnings and pop across the border.

The pictures you posted look wonderful, and I think if I had been brave enough I would have thoroughly enjoyed Croatia. Especially the food. Trieste seemed to have major Croatian influences in its cooking and one of the best meals I''ve ever had was at a fish restaurant down at the harbour, where they served "croatian fish". Probably just a marketing term but yummy as.

 

[Arkteia]

I could understand Chroatian words, Ma Re. At least, most of them. Pannono-illyrian influence, they say? I''m coming to see it!

 

[Imdanny]

Re:

 - foreign languages; fluent English (at least I hope so),

Just so!

I'll add I enjoy reading your posts. You are a nice person with an exceptional level of taste and discernment.