Sunday, September 27, 2009

Fall Collection: Part V


No, I'm not finished posting the new Fall Collection - not by a long shot! Because I am doing the photos, pricing, and web myself without help since my move, it means that I am going much more slowly than I would prefer. However, if you like anticipation....
Today I have another mixture of bracelets beginning with the blue lace agate and amethyst bracelet that you see at the top. The focal is actually a blue chalcedony faceted nugget, the amethyst is transparent and the lampwork beads are some of the absolute best I've had (from an artist whose work sells at a premium). Below is an amethyst bracelet that is complimented by rutilated quartz, thus combining two of the season's hottest colours, purple and grey. I love the amethyst gemstone toggle clasp. The lampwork beads are the perfect purple and grey!

The tourmaline bracelet above features three strands of all shapes and sizes of tourmalines and includes little tourmaline charms hanging at intervals from the bracelet. There is only one lampwork bead, a green transparent lentil with mauvey purple swirls, but it is wonderful. Tourmaline is a great gemstone for this fall since it either has the most popular colours or accents those clothing colours wonderfully well.
The blue lace agate bracelet below is all about flowers: sterling silver flower beads, sterling flower charms, and a focal lentil lampwork bead that has the look of a flower also. Below the blue agate bracelet is one of my favorite combinations: sunstone and dark blue apatite that has the slightest hint of teal in it. Another favorite of mine is the little sterling bird charm that hangs near the center of the bracelet.There are just three pairs of earrings here, but many more will be appearing on the Cluny Grey Jewelrysite.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Fall Collection IV: More Colour!

The first two pieces today, top and bottom, will be listed under chalcedony jewelry on the Cluny Grey Jewelry website. The chalcedony necklace above is a single strand necklace featuring faceted nuggets of aqua chalcedony along with the prettiest faceted coins of a strong pink chalcedony, Bali sterling silver and the unique lampwork beads of Suzette Celestin. The lampwork picks up the aqua and pink and adds a creme colour to the mix as well. The necklace would look great against a dress or blouse in one of the season's hottest neutrals, a deep creme with a touch of brown called creme brulee.
Below, more chalcedony, this time faceted nuggets of a golden yellow chalcedony that positively glow! The only silver: the tiniest Karen Hill Tribes silver beads, barely noticeable, between the beads, and the pretty sterling toggle clasp. Why? Because the nuggets themselves are so beautiful and so strong in colour, I wanted a very gemmy look for the bracelet, a look that calls for very little silver. This is a simple nugget bracelet with a lot of impact!
One of the Fall 2009 season's colours is "rapture rose." It is a colour that is epitomized by the rhodonite bracelet that you see below - a strong but soft deep pink or rose colour. Sterling silver and two borosilicate artist's lampwork beads add a dash of different colour to the bracelet which consists of two strands of different shapes and sizes of rhodonite gemstones. If rose is not your colour or you can't afford to add this colour to your wardrobe right now, this is a perfect way to get a dash of the colour! Rhodonite is a matte gemstone making it suitable for daytime or nighttime wear, so the bracelet is quite versatile - it also looks great with the iron grey that is one of the most popular neutrals this Fall.
The last two jewelry pieces are a necklace and bracelet and both feature blue. Above, the simple sapphire necklace is made entirely of blue sapphires with the addition of a focal dichroic that sparkles in natural or artificial light. (It's also this month's birthstone).
The last piece is a double strand bracelet that features amethysts and kyanite. Very special lampwork beads add a magical touch to the bracelet and the geometric toggle with the amethyst cabochon keeps it from looking too froufrou.
Next: See more from Cluny's Fall Collection 2009 in a couple of days! There is still more colour to come!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

The Fall Collection III: The New Motley Crew

There is no real theme for today's jewelry - part of the Fall Collection. I know that I should group the jewelry pieces in some intelligent way, but WOW! getting all the jewelry on the site is a ton of work and I've been at it for several days now! So this is really a random sampling of some of the new bracelets that are going to be on the Cluny Grey Jewelry site.
Above, a moonstone bracelet with touches of genuine aquamarine. It really has quite a bit of flash and the aquamarine accents that flash. Below is a bracelet pairing aquamarine with sunstone; I love the hot and coolness of the two gemstones together, and together they are smashing mixed with the great sterling silver that you see here. I am especially fond also of second strands consisting of those tiny Karen Hill Tribes beads that you see here. And the bird clasp is a real favorite! (Can you tell that I am partial to this bracelet?)


More colour here when great lampwork in soft yellows and blues with a touch of pink is mixed with faceted citrine nuggets. It's a soft, romantic bracelet that will look great with all those ruffled blouses that are in style this Fall. And if you are like me, you like to keep up with some trends, but some I cannot do in a big way. Animal prints are still big, but I never feel comfortable wearing them. To the rescue, this lampwork bracelet with the great tiger stripes that give you that touch of the trend without overwhelming.
Above, moonstone in a dusky mauvey-peach colour and greys. I love these beads with the raised symbols (moons, stars, other shapes) on them. They give a mystical feel to any jewelry piece. Below, two tourmaline bracelets, one with one of the largest faceted garnet nuggets I've ever had. What can I say about tourmaline that you don't already know? That it goes with just about everything. It's perfect for Fall and Winter, and it looks equally good with bright or dark clothing.
And stay tuned - there is still more jewelry to come!!!

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

The New Fall Collection - Part II


The following jewelry pieces feature gemstones in colours that are based on Pantone's colour guide (Pantone produces the dyes that are used by the fashion world, so that they are the true forecaster of the hottest colours). Above, the double strand bracelet has three of the season's hottest colours: olivine (in Swarovski crystals); majolica (kyanite); grey (rutilated quartz). The second strand is a type of bangle accented only by the Swarovski crystals.
Below, more rutilated quartz celebrates another big trend for Fall: the chunky necklace. The large, flat faceted nuggets (over an inch long) are primarily grey with touches of tan/brown. Each nugget is over an inch in length.
Citrine is always a favorite stone, and one of Fall's newest colours is honey yellow. With its range of colours from pale yellow to a deep golden colour, citrine can add a touch of this year's colour to an older outfit or blend with a new one.

Below, this unique bracelet has quartz (creme brulee), chalcedony (majolica), and carnelian (American Beauty) for a blend of colours exceedingly versatile. The next bracelet has chalcedony and yellow opal (majolica and honey yellow), and the bottom bracelet of African opal and vermeil will go equally well with both the off-white creme brulee and a neutral colour called nougat that is a pale taupe.


More tomorrow!

Monday, September 07, 2009

The New Fall Collection!

This week I will be posting different pieces almost every day from the new Cluny Grey Jewelry Fall Collection. Most of the pieces are made to match or to complement the new colours for this Fall. Chunky gemstone necklaces are really in right now, but so are long chains with charms - and we'll be showing you both. Our pieces will show up here on the blog before they are actually on the website. Give us a couple of days to put the jewelry on the website with the price and description.
Above, chunky gemstone necklaces are really in this Fall, and this necklace is certainly chunky! It features sanded rock crystal nuggets (they have a frosty look). This great necklace dresses up or goes casual - very versatile!
Above, an aquamarine bracelet with gold vermeil and 14 karat goldfilled accents (gold is quite the thing this season!); sunstone is a great partner with aquamarine and brings in the sienna colour that is one of the season's best.
Below, a feminine chalcedony bracelet has gemstones echoing the colour of the lampwork beads.
Below, the iolite bracelet has a sparkling druzy as well as very special silver-laced lampwork beads. The Fall colours represented? Majolica (blue) and creme brulee.

The bracelet below is, believe it or not, moonstone - a dark peachy moonstone that represents Fall's sienna colour; again, gold is really hot this season.

Fire agate bracelet features a focal that is gorgeous!

One of the season's big colours is purple. These amethyst bracelets will be the perfect accessory to accent many of the Fall season's outfits.
We'll have more tomorrow!