Swarovski & Opals

I've been working with blue Peruvian opal and Swarovski (among other things) this week; I adore blue Peruvian opals when they are really blue, or that pretty aqua colour. I feel about blue opals the same as I do the pink ones - the dark inclusions make them better much of the time - giving them character and contract. Above, the blue opal bracelet is mixed with antiqued vermeil accents. This is listed on the Opal Bracelets page. I always find Swarovski addictive once I start working with it - the sparkle, the colours, the finishes. I don't often work with pink Swarovski, except for the opal colours, but I had the large Helix beads (10mm I believe), and the larger the Swarovski is, the better. Below, the copper crystal bracelet has the new large crystals (about 14mm) mixed with the Helix, rounds, and rondelles, and all goldfilled accents, including the toggle clasp. These are listed on the Swarovski Crystal Bracelets page.
Below is a pink Peruvian opal necklace with a large, flat, faceted nugget as its focal. The focal nugget is wonderful. I mixed small pink opals, flat rectangles, rondelles, and carved scarab beads along with the sterling silver. I like working with opals, but pink opals can be challenging because I like the opals to match in colouring - and pink opals are often very disparete even on the same strand. Some will be peach, some pink, some have a slight yellow to beige tinge; others will be slightly translucent with dark inclusions, and some almost perfectly pink. I don't really like to mix them all, but keep them together according to hue. The pink opal necklace below can be found on our Opal Necklaces page.

What next? A charm bracelet - I haven't made a nice full one for a long time!


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