Cheery Pink, Green and Aqua for Spring

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.

 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.

 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.

Aqua Freshwater Pearl Pendant Necklace

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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!

Cleopatra and the "Gem of the Sun"

 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.

    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.

    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 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.

 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.

    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.

    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.

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Coral Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings: Gifts from the Sea

 I adore coral; it's an organic material straight from the sea with all the magic of the sea. Coral combines well with pearls and other gemstones, and of course, it looks wonderful with artist's lampwork beads. I'm especially fond of peachy-pink colored coral of any kind, and I am bewitched by  branch coral with long twiggy-looking sprigs.
Above, a coral bracelet with peachy-pink coral nuggets mixed with irregularly shaped freshwater pearls and sterling silver.  The sea-themed charms include a mermaid, a seahorse,and a fish.

 Above and below, coral bracelets with slices of red coral.  The bracelet above has deep red coral mixed with brightly colored artist's lampwork beads; a second strand features a super-heavy length of sterling chain and tiny Thai Karen Hill Tribe beads and dangles sea-themed sterling charms. The coral bracelet below has brighter red slices of coral with special artist's lampwork beads and vermeil accents.

 The coral bracelet below combines slices of darker peachy-pink coral and short twigs of coral as well as golden coral tubes.  The mix in this bracelet includes charms of sterling and artist's lampwork beads.

    Above, a wonderful mixture of corals with accents of genuine turquoise and sterling silver. 
    Below, golden tube coral with special golden and sterling silver leaf artist's lampwork beads, sterling silver charms.

Above, star-fish themed coral bracelet with red coral slices.              

    Below, a double-strand branch coral necklace with coral rounds and special artist's lampwork beads including a lampwork flower.

    Below, a black coral necklace with golden coral tubes and artist's lampwork beads.

    Below, huge red coral slices and coral nuggets with vermeil and artist's lampwork beads.

    Above, black onyx, vermeil, and coral earrings.
    Below, large coral slices with Bali sterling silver and special earwires with diamond-shaped decorations.

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Warm Weather Bracelets: Gemstones and Coral and Pearls, Oh, My!

Coral and Freshwater Pearl Bracelet

 Dark clouds are gathering outside; there are severe thunderstorm warnings for areas surrounding me.  It's the perfect time to make jewelry! 
Why a storm puts me in a creative mood, I have no idea.  I am just glad that it does.  I cannot wait to hit the workbench.  Meanwhile, here are some of the newest creations:
Above and below, coral, it's a sign of the season.  I especially like pinky-peachy angelskin coral that you see here which I've paired with the prettiest color aqua freshwater pearls.  These pearls have such a pretty glow and they are perfect with the coral.  Three strands of the pearl and coral mixture also have little sea-themed charms hanging from them.  The clasp is one of my favorite elegant toggle swirls.  All sterling silver.

 Below, I love mixing gemstones and this bracelet is an unusual mixture that I've never used before.  A large prehnite faceted nugget centers the bracelet; on either side are pretty faceted dark lemon quartz nuggets that are a yellow color.  Little faceted prehnite rondelles, each with its own faceted ruby rondelle on the bottom, dangle from around the bracelet.  The toggle clasp is sterling silver with an oval cabochon ruby bezel-set into the toggle diamond.  Two very intricately decorated sterling beads from Bali are on either side of the bracelet.

Gemstone Bracelet with Prehnite, Lemon Quartz and Rubies

 This gemstone bracelet features lapis, aqua chalcedony, and citrine.  On one side larger rounded corner rectangles of lapis glitter with pyrite.  On the other side is a double strand of gemstones, chalcedony and citrine.  In the midle are charms of citrine, chalcedony, and rubies with one of our favorite sterling silver cherub coin charms.  The sterling toggle clasp feautures a double-sided toggle clasp with a faceted iolite on both sides.

Unique Bracelet with Genuine Lapis, Chalcedony, Citrine, and Rubies

 Cluny always helps me when I work!  He finds it a great time to nap.  The more I work, the more he naps!

Cluny, my number one helper!

Lemon Quartz Nuggets with Sterling Silver

The chunky bracelet above is made up of some of our prettiest quartz nuggets with beautiful faceting.  This simple bracelet has minimal silver so that the nuggets get all the attention.  The toggle clasp is a larger sterling one with flowers both on the toggle ring and on the toggle bar.

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Oscar Nominees and the Cluny Grey Jewelry They Should Wear

As I was looking at the Oscar nominees for this year, I thought about what Cluny Grey jewelry I would choose for several of them, not for the Oscars, of course, since Harry Winston and Bulgari among other famous jewelry houses generally outfit the stars. But I thought it would be fun to choose some jewelry for them for other occasions.
 Here are my picks for some of the Oscar Nominees:
Amy Adams:  I love Amy Adams' look, and that she has that gorgeous red hair.  With her warm coloring, she just has to go gold!

I chose the lariat necklace below as a piece for Amy because it features copper Swarovski crystals and bright gold which would look great with her hair and skin.  I've also noticed that she apparently likes to wear small chain necklaces and lariats based on her photos.

Lariat Necklace

For a striking statement, I would love to see her wear the Biwa pearl necklace below.  It has large Swarovski red magma crystals in it and a gold toggle clasp.  It would look dynamite against her wonderfully fair skin.  I would need to make a pair of earrings with the red magma crystals in gold to match this necklace and to sparkle against her gorgeous hair!

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Below, aqua and turquoise look great with hair this color.  This Peruvian opal 14 karat gold-fill wrapped necklace suits Amy Adams perfectly!

Meryl Streep:  I love the way Meryl Streep looks here.  The simple black dress with that wonderful collar, her hair pulled back, she is the epitome of elegance.  The necklace, above, made of tourmalinated quartz faceted ovals would look great for an elegant look everyday.  Plus the colors, with the black and many shades of grey, would not overpower her features although the gemstones themselves are rather large.

The ruby earrings, below, would also enhance Meryl's look by adding color and shine to her face.

Garnet Necklace

Cate Blanchett:  I am a huge Cate Blanchett fan; she is probably my favorite actress. I think of her as a chameleon, which is a good thing to be if you are an actor. Whether she is wearing stark black hair as in The Shipping News, red hair as Queen Elizabeth, or a pale blond, her looks are striking, interesting.
With her shorter blond hair, I would put her in garnets; above is a wonderful, double-stranded garnet necklace with a gemstone cross pendant that would look fantastic on her (shades of Queen Bess?), and the garnet earrings, below, would be marvelous with her skin.
Cate would also look amazing in the citrine necklace with the carved carnelian flower pendant, below.

Citrine always enhances blondes!

Sunstone Jewelry

Sunstone was made for Cate Blanchett.  The peachy-orange color of the sunstone with the sparkle and gleam is reminiscent of her complexion and would add to her already amazing glow.

Lupita Nyong'o: She looks stunning in red, but I think I would put her in some softer colors. Above the rose quartz necklace and earrings would add a touch of femininity. With a pink lipstick and a white dress, rose quartz would be beautiful on her.

I also think that clear quartz crystal would add sparkle to her look without overpowering her.  Her beauty is such that she needs strong jewelry, but not too much of it. When your looks are this strong and your complexion is this dark and beautiful, you simply need to let it shine through!

Handmade Necklace

Those are my Oscar picks!  What do you think?

All of the jewelry above can be found on the Cluny Grey Jewelry website.