Showing posts with label handcrafted jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handcrafted jewelry. Show all posts

Thursday, July 05, 2018

I'm Back!!! And with Jewelry!

ruby bracelet with emeralds and sterling silver
After 3 difficult years of health problems and the passing on of 3 close family members, I'm back on The Jewelry Blog.  I hardly know what to tell you except that I've been making jewelry, intend to make more jewelry, and I am as excited as I can be!
   Because July is the month of the ruby, I'm featuring my newest ruby bracelets today, as well as a couple of favorites from the past.
ruby bracelet with sterling silver
And these two bracelets look great when paired!  The top bracelet with the focal emerald should be on the Cluny Grey Jewelry site by tomorrow evening.


layered ruby bracelets
ruby bracelet with sterling silver
ruby bracelet with lampwork beads
 Above, very special artist's lampwork beads with great depth and clarity combine with very large faceted genuine ruby nuggets and chunky sterling silver Bali beads. A pretty strawberry charm and a leaf charm hang beside the toggle clasp with a cabochon bezel-set ruby.
ruby bracelet with gold-filled accents
 Above, two strands of rubies are accented by 14k gold-filled beads and accents, including a 14k toggle clasp.  Small oval rubies, large oval rubies, and faceted rondelle rubies join together in a symmetrical design.
lapis and ruby bracelet
 Lapis and rubies with gold!
turquoise and ruby bracelet with sterling silver
Genuine rubies and Sleeping Beauty turquoise with sterling silver.
I'll be back!!!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Cheery Pink, Green and Aqua for Spring

gemstone bracelet of rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite Bracelet
    At 18 degrees here outside, I know that there are other people dreaming of Spring (not I; I love this!)  Just a couple of pieces today that I've finished this weekend.  Above and below, a gemstone bracelet in rhodochrosite, a pink gemstone that is relatively rare on the jewelry scene. This bracelet has 4 strands: one of gemstones, two of Thai Karen Hill Tribes tiny sterling silver beads accented with a few rhodochrosites, and a sterling silver oval-linked chain with sterling silver charms, a fleur de lis and 2 puffy hearts.  The clasp is a sterling toggle.  This will shortly be on the Gemstone Bracelets page on the Cluny Grey Jewelry website.
gemstone bracelet of rhodochrosite
 Below are two stackable bracelets made of green rutilated quartz.  I love this gemstone and it is a beautiful fresh green with just a touch of lime perhaps, but I have more difficulty photographing it for some reason than almost any other gemstone.  I love the little hammered hearts on the second bracelet! These will go on the Gemstone Bracelets page shortly, and you will be able to buy them together or separately.
Stacking bracelets of green rutilated quartz
 Below, aqua freshwater pearls and tiny little Thai Karen Hill Tribes beads lead to a large modern pendant of faceted faux aqua quartz in this pendant necklace.  This is in the JewelrybyChloemarie Etsy store that I have.
pendant necklace
Aqua Freshwater Pearl Pendant Necklace

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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!

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Sunday, January 04, 2015

Garnets: The January Birthstone

garnet bracelet with gold
 I am extremely fond of garnets and wear them almost everyday.  I have an oval garnet ring I love that I've had for many years; it goes with everything and especially looks good with black.  I have made myself a garnet nugget bracelet that I wear also almost everyday.  The garnets are large (large garnets are hard to come by) and the flat faceted nuggets really catch the light.  The best part is that garnet jewelry goes from an everyday situation to a dressy one and looks perfect for both.
   Above and below, a garnet bracelet very like the one that I wear almost everyday.  14 karat gold-filled beads and accents look great with the deep red garnets.
garnet bracelet with gold accents

garnet bracelet with sterling silver
 Above and below, this 2 strand garnet bracelet features smooth garnet nuggets and a second strand of Thai Karen Hill Tribes chain dangling 3 garnet charms and 2 leaf charms.  Lots of sterling silver give it a really rich look.
sterling silver and garnet bracelet

garnet necklace with teardrop garnets
 Garnet necklaces are good for every occasion. Again, both of these necklaces can be worn to work and then out to dinner or a party.  The garnet necklace below features gem-quality faceted oval garnets that give it a really feminine look.
garnet necklace with gem quality garnets
I love fluorite! Below is the newest fluorite bracelet to grace the Cluny Grey website. The faceted nuggets are especially colorful and pretty. The focal lampwork beads pulls all the fluorite colors together.
fluorite bracelet with lampwork bead and sterling silver
 NEW:  Some of you may know that I have opened an Etsy shop called JewelrybyChloemarie to sell my jewelry that I make that may not be on the website.  I've had a love affair with vintage costume jewelry since I can remember and many of the pieces that you find there are made with Czech beads, vintage beads, crystal, Swarovski, gold-plate, silver-plate, brass, and bronze.  Everything from minimal necklaces with a single drop to assemblage necklaces can be found here.  Below is a bracelet that I've been making since 2007 but have never sold online.  It features vintage lucite, silver-plated filigree and chain. It covers the top of the wrist and is really a feminine and fun piece!
flower bracelet with vintage lucite flowers

 A 14 karat gold-filled chain bracelet with a heart charm and a Swarovski crystal cross.
gold bracelet with Swarovski cross
 A Renaissance style necklace with faceted glass beads, gold-plated filigree, vintage glass opals and a cameo like medallion featuring a princess.
gold pendant necklace with glass beads
 Another favorite bracelet: silver-plated filigree hugs the top of the wrist completely and 4 chains wrap around to a swirling leaf toggle clasp.  The flowered filigree is topped with a larger flower and leaves and centered with a light blue sparkling vintage rhinestone.
flower bracelet in silver filigree

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  • Wednesday, November 26, 2014

    Gemstones and More! Bracelets, Earrings, and Necklaces

    unique handmade bracelet
    Ah, the frenzy of the holiday season begins! And no where is it more frenzied than here on the fourth floor in my studio.  I watched heavy snowflakes today (that unfortunately melted right away) only when I chanced to look up from my busy workbench.  I will be closing shop starting December 13th this year, so be sure to get any custom orders right away!
       Above, a multi-gemstone bracelet with sterling silver contains several shades of touraline including pink and green, aquamarine, citrine, apatite, and chrysoprase.  Three sterling silver charms dangle on one side of the bracelet which features sterling silver chain; a sterling toggle clasp is the closure.
       Below, cloisonne earrings with vermeil earwires and Swarovski crystals.
    cloisonne earrings
       Below, Swarovski crystals in Indocolite look wonderful with special cloisonne beads; the cloisonne contains a rhinestone embedded on both sides. A vermeil toggle clasp is the closure.
       Next, another cloisonne bracelet, this one features pretty blue genuine faceted agate stones with cylindrical gold and blue cloisonne.
    cloisonne bracelet

    cloisonne bracelet

    fire agate bracelet
       Above and below, a fire agate bracelet that is full of fire. Charms in vermeil and fire agate hang from 3 points of the bracelet.
    fire agate bracelet

    turquoise bracelet
       I'm in love with this beautiful turquoise bracelet.  The borosilicate lampwork beads are stunning and streaked with the colors of the turquoise and gorgeous shades of pink.  Sterling silver charms are from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes; the hefty sterling toggle clasp is from Bali.
    turquoise bracelet

    rose quartz bracelet
       Above, the romance of rose quartz deepens when paired with rose gold-filled accented and lobster clasp.  Rose gold and rose quartz? They're perfect together.  And this rose quartz is an especially pretty pink.
       Below, blue fluorite bracelet is one of my favorites! Blue fluorite is unusual and so pretty, and is more striking when it's paired with sterling silver.  The two strand bracelet features one strand with faceted blue fluorite nuggets and another of tiny Karen Hill Tribes beads and charms.

    fluorite bracelet
    Below, fluorite in different shades is complemented by very special artist's lampwork beads that are exquisite. A pretty Thai Karen Hill Tribes "S" clasp has a flower atop it.
    fluorite necklace
    Below, fire agate earrings with gold-filled beads and accents.
    fire agate earrings
    I am closing for Christmas vacation on December 13th.

    Sunday, August 03, 2014

    Cleopatra and the "Gem of the Sun"

    peridot bracelet
     Peridot, the August birthstone, is a pretty gemstone with a clear green color. It is fairly easy usually for us to find translucent peridot that are especially pretty for the jewelry that I make. I do like working with it; the only drawback to peridot is that it is usually difficult to find very large stones.
    three strand peridot bracelet
        Peridot has a rich history, full of legends and lore that makes it an especially interesting gemstone.
    The Egyptians called peridot the "gem of the sun" and believed that it was best mined at night when it shone brightly; during the day, it shone so brightly that it couldn't even be seen!
        Most of the peridot mined in the ancient world came from St. John's, an island about 50 miles off the coast of Egypt.  It was so overrun by snakes that the miners had a difficult time until the Pharaoh had all the snakes killed.  Much easier for the miners, not so good for the snakes. As a result, however, peridot is still believed by many to be a guard against snakebite!
       The first three photos are of Minuet Verde, a three strand peridot bracelet with a two-sided sterling bead in the middle of the middle strand.  The bead has two cabochon peridots bezel-set into it.  The bracelet also has a double sided toggle clasp with a faceted square peridot set diagonally in each side of the toggle.
    peridot bracelet with 3 strands of peridots and sterling
        Many historians believe that the emeralds that Cleopatra wore were not emeralds at all, but actually peridots which would have been readily accessible to her and can easily be confused with emeralds. 
       For many centuries, people thought the 200 carat gems in the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Cologne Cathedral in Germany were emerald. They are really peridots (gia.com).
       Above and below, another three strand peridot bracelet. The gemstones are small and sparkling and accented by 5 sterling silver flower charms and a pretty heart-shaped sterling lobster clasp.
    peridot bracelet with sterling charms


    peridot bracelet with quartz crystal
        Peridot is thought to help one achieve harmony in marriage. The ancients believed that it would give one eloquence and also protect one from evil spirits. It is often used today by proponents of crystal healing for asthma and a slew of other ailments.
       Above and below, this peridot bracelet has 5 strands of peridots on one side of the bracelet and faceted peridot rondelles set between large faceted nuggets of quartz crystal on the other.  In the center, sterling silver and peridot charms are clustered next to a faceted rose quartz square.
    peridot bracelet with rose quartz
     Today, most peridots come from Burma since St. John's island has not been mined since the 1950's.  The largest peridot is approximately 310 carats and resides here in Washington, D.C.'s Smithsonian museum.
    peridot bracelet with lampwork beads
        Above, a double-stranded bracelet of peridots with the main strand featuring quite large faceted peridots while the second strand has small peridots. The peridots are accented by square artist's lampwork beads shot with silver handmade by Robin Weber. Below, a bracelet made of peridot rondelles and sterling silver butterflies from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes.
    peridot bracelet
        Below, another peridot bracelet featuring lampwork beads and large faceted peridot nuggets.  The second strand is a large oval-lined chain dangling Thai Karen Hill Tribes flower charms.
    peridot bracelet with peridot nuggets and sterling silver



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