The alarming trend of melting Glacier Ice has begun to take it’s toll on the jewelry industry in Alaska, which has long relied on the cost savings of using frozen water as a gemstone replacement. “It’s been tough, no question.” says Glacier Ice cutter Jason Christnor. “Seems like it’s melting almost as fast as we can cut it this summer.” And with the glaciers receding around the state at an unprecedented rate, the rise in the wholesale cost of loose Glacier Ice has been equally alarming. “Before, I could hardly keep it in my cases it sold so fast.” says jewelry retailer Beau East. “People were like, ‘Wow, it’s so beautiful, and so much cheaper than back home.’ Now, I can hardly afford to have a full case of it-and the cost benefit of using Glacier Ice instead of diamonds and real gemstones is almost negligible.”
Christnor, much like the newly endangered Alaskan Polar Bear, is the victim of alarmingly warm temperatures. Alaska, which is generally well below freezing year round, has been experiencing thaws this year in places where it has never thawed before. “I might have to get some wheels for my sled this year.” jokes longtime Sitka resident Kristian Fergusson, nodding towards his dog sled. “My team just wants to lay around when it gets hot like this.” His wife Heddy agrees, “We might have seen a few days of thaw in July or August before, but never in May. Not like this.” Heddy has been leaving her Glacier Ice jewelry at home since March, afraid of losing it to the unseasonable warmth that is claiming the purchases of many cruise visitors this year.
While the consensus among Alaskan jewelers is that times are tough-most agree that there will continue to be a market for Glacier Ice jewelry. “You can’t make this stuff at home in your freezer.” says a salesman at one of the 65 jewelry stores in downtown Ketchikan. “It takes hundreds of years and the intense pressure of thousands of tons of ice to create a specimen that will have the color and optical clarity to even be considered gem-quality Glacier Ice.” He pauses before adding, “Put an ice cube on your finger and see how good it looks. See how long it lasts.”
Some jewelers are taking a proactive step, replacing their entire Glacier Ice inventories with natural stones. “Hey, the writing is on the wall.” says jeweler Sam Vapcedic. “It’s warming up. I used to think Al Gore was full of hot air, but then he won that Pulitzer, and that makes you think twice.” He continues, “I used to offer a full 1 year warranty for my local customers. Now try reading the small print at some of these places. ” he says, gesturing out the window toward a street lined with shops. “Three day warranty against melting? 24 hour warranty? It’s obscene. Who’s gonna buy that?”
Jewelers like Chris Fondell of Alaskajewelry.com have led the charge in replacing their melting inventories with real gems. “Folks walk into my store and say-hey it’s warm in here! How do you do it?” Well, it’s simple-my Glacier Ice is natural Blue Zircon. It doesn’t melt. Ever.”
While you’ll end up paying a higher price for this new breed of Glacier Ice, the ability to wear it in all seasons seems to have struck a chord with visitors and locals alike. “The days of wearing my favorite jewelry only in the dead of winter are officially over.” declares Juneau resident Kiera Sexton who has replaced all her traditional Glacier Ice jewelry with Glacier Ice Blue Zircon. The new stone boasts the same deep blue color and brilliant sparkle, without the risk of melting.
