Thursday, February 12, 2015

Gray Days of February are Brightened by Jewelry!

gemstone bracelet of mookaite
Mookaite Bracelet featuring the color Marsala
   It's cold and gray here in Arlington, Virginia, but that's okay because when it's cold and gray outside, I get lots of work done inside.  And I have so much work to do!  
   I am looking forward to my visit from my Brazilian daughter, Fernanda, next week!  She is always a breath of fresh air, and I haven't gotten to see her for a while.  Thank goodness she has a job that brings her to the US periodically and allows her to come to see us.  We've known her since she was 16 and came to stay with us in Arkansas.  We have seen her almost every year after that, (and occasionally several times each year) with the exception of a couple of years when she was beginning her career (she is an engineer and businesswoman).
   I've been working on jewelry both for the Cluny Grey site and for my new Etsy site. The Cluny Grey site features the new bracelet above that is made of Australian mookaite and sterling silver.  Mookaite happily possesses one of Pantone's colors of the year: marsala, which is prevalent in the bracelet you see here. Mookaite also has other vibrant shades varying from mustard to rose to red and all shades in between in the warm spectrum. 
    Below, a labradorite bracelet with sterling silver and lots of flash which may not be readily visible here.  The true beauty of labradorite displays with movement.
labradorite bracelet
Labradorite Bracelet with Sterling Silver
   The bracelet below is another labradorite bracelet, but this time mixed with genuine amethyst. I chose the name Velvet Orchid because there was something about the bracelet that reminded me of the dark, mysterious Tom Ford perfume of the same name. The special accents here include the pretty box clasp with a cabochon labradorite inset into the swirling top, and a plethora of labradorite and amethyst gemstone charms hanging from huge rings on one side of the bracelet. A special note: the amethysts in the bracelet are gemstone (high) quality.
labradorite bracelet with amethyst
Labradorite and Amethyst Bracelet with Sterling Silver
   I have so many new pieces in my Etsy shop, JewelrybyChloemarie, that I can't mention them all, but here are a few:
   1. A "Downton Abbey" Edwardian style necklace with genuine pale blue freshwater pearls, and white opal Swarovski crystals leading to antiqued gold filigree with more opal Swarovskis and a blue rhinestone in the center of the oval filigree. Very romantic.
Downton Abbey necklace
Edwardian Pearl Necklace
2.  A pretty 14 karat gold-filled chain necklace with a lotus charm and an amethyst charm. The amethyst is there for 2 reasons: first, because it is a sacred stone to Buddhists, and second, because it is the February birthstone. 
gold lotus necklace
Gold and Amethyst Lotus Necklace
3.  Another lotus necklace, this one featuring a rectangular plaque with the lotus in silver-plate and a pretty translucent amethyst nugget hanging from a silver chain.
silver lotus necklace with amethyst
Silver Lotus Necklace with Genuine Amethyst
4.  A lotus necklace in vermeil and genuine ruby (the tears of the Buddha were said to be rubies).
gold lotus necklace with genuine ruby
Gold Lotus Necklace with a Genuine Ruby
5. Below, an amulet necklace featuring a globe made of gemstone and glass with an amethyst charm because amethyst has been used as protection for travelers for thousands of years. All metal components are 14 karat gold-filled.
amulet necklace
Gold Amulet Necklace for Travelers' Protection - with Amethyst
6.  A favorite necklace of mine (and I'm making one for myself and my 5 year old grand-daughter has requested one) is this freshwater pearls necklace of gray pearls and gold chain dangling a huge bluish-gray rectangular crystal. It is so luxe looking!
pearl and crystal pendant necklace
Pearl Necklace with Large Crystal Pendant
I hope these cold, gray days are inspiring for you, too!  And if you are further northeast than I am, know that I am envying your snow!  I want snow!!! (Well, a reasonable amount anyway).
  Ciao for now, joolies!

Cluny Grey Jewelry always has free shipping for purchases totaling over $50.00!


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