I'm Back!!! And with Jewelry!

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.

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.

 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.

 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 rubies with gold!

Genuine rubies and Sleeping Beauty turquoise with sterling silver.

I'll be back!!!

Gray Days of February are Brightened by Jewelry!

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 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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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!

Gemstone Bracelets with Color

 I love color in the middle of cold winter.  Above and below, Pierres a Trois is a gemstone bracelet with a strand of citrine a strand of garnet, and a strand of apatite.  Sterling silver charms hang around the bracelet and a sturdy sterling silver toggle clasp is the closure. Guaranteed to go with something you have in your closet!

 Below, purple goes so well with labradorite whether it's in the form of Swarovski crystals (tanzanite color) or in this case, genuine gemstone amethyst.  Very flashy labradorite and pretty quality amethysts make this bracelet very special.  With sterling silver accents and a wonderful sterling box clasp with a cabochon amethyst set into the top. A plethora of labradorite and amethyst charms hang from rings on one side of the bracelet.

 Perk up your spirits these cold days. Buy some new jewelry to add that je ne sais quoi to your boring winter clothes! Remember that shipping is free!

Garnets: The January Birthstone

 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.

 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.

 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.

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.

 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!

 A 14 karat gold-filled chain bracelet with a heart charm and a Swarovski crystal cross.

 A Renaissance style necklace with faceted glass beads, gold-plated filigree, vintage glass opals and a cameo like medallion featuring a princess.

 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.

Shipping is always FREE on the Cluny Grey website for purchases over $50.00! Now FREE for Australia and New Zealand also!

Gemstones and More! Bracelets, Earrings, and Necklaces

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.

   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.

   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.

   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.

   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.

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.

Below, fire agate earrings with gold-filled beads and accents.

I am closing for Christmas vacation on December 13th.

Life and Bracelets and Where's the Fall Collection?

Apatite Bracelet

I have been spending some time in Hot Springs, Arkansas lately where my best friend and most of my family live. That means that I am woefully behind on so many things and  I am struggling to catch up. 
 From the Fall Collection, now long overdue to be shown, are these bracelets that look great alone or stacked together on the wrist.  Above is a bracelet with sterling silver, apatite and a single lotus charm; below,  a similar bracelet with gem-quality faceted coin amethysts, sterling silver, and a fleur de lis charm.  The bracelet has a lobster clasp with a pretty flower on it.

Amethyst Bracelet

Chalcedony Bracelet

Above, a bracelet of blue chalcedony faceted ovals with sterling silver and a puffy star charm.

Below, simple round garnet beads are enhanced by a pretty little toggle clasp with a leaf design.  Thai Karen Hill Tribes charm has three sterling rounds hanging from a single loop.

Garnet Bracelet

Below, my favorite, because it's gold, of course, is this lapis bracelet with 14 karat gold-filled components including an oval blank that can be stamped with your initial. The coin lapis beads are especially pretty.

Lapis Lazuli Bracelet

Above and below, the bracelets paired.

Lapis, Carnelian, and Turquoise Bracelet with Gold-fill

I love the classic combination of carnelian, lapis, and turquoise in this mixed gemstone bracelet.  The large lapis nugget is especially beautiful with its golden sprinkling of pyrite. The gold is a mixture of gold-filled and vermeil.  The vermeil charms are little dragonflies hanging from a 14k gold-filled chain.  Two of the carnelian beads are beautifully carved and rather unusual. The turquoise is from the Sleeping Beauty mine and is a wonderful deep shade of blue.
  Please order early for Christmas this year as I will be heading off to Vienna, Salzburg, and then Bulgaria in mid-December.  If you need a custom piece, remember that they seldom cost more than any similar piece you would find on the site, yet you get personal attention and preferences.
  Now shipping is FREE to AUSTRALIA as it is in the USA: anything over 50.00 is FREE while purchases under $50 are only 1.95 to ship.