Showing posts with label helmi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label helmi. Show all posts

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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Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Gemstone Bracelets with Color

gemstone bracelet with citrine, garnet, and apatite
 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!
gemstone bracelet with genuine gemstones and sterling silver
 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.
labradorite bracelet with amethyst gemstones
 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!
labradorite and amethyst gemstone bracelet

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Coral Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings: Gifts from the Sea

coral bracelet with pearls and sterling silver
 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.
red coral bracelet with sterling silver and lampwork beads
 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.
coral bracelet with lampwork beads and vermeil
 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.
coral bracelet with peach and gold coral and sterling silver

coral bracelet with turquoise and sterling silver
    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.
gold coral bracelet with sterling silver and lampwork
red coral bracelet with sterling silver
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.
coral necklace with lampwork beads

    Below, a black coral necklace with golden coral tubes and artist's lampwork beads.
black coral necklace with lampwork beads
    Below, huge red coral slices and coral nuggets with vermeil and artist's lampwork beads.
coral necklace with golden vermeil

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

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Monday, June 02, 2014

I Love Turquoise for Summer!

turquoise bracelet
Turquoise Bracelet with Sterling Silver
 Turquoise is probably my favorite color, so it follows that I would certainly love gem turquoise.  For years, I thought of turquoise as Southwestern and it reminded me of family trips to California, and conjured images of the Painted Desert, Carlsbad Caverns, Navajo reservations, and that endless highway called Route 66 that we drove on back then.
   Then, I went to Greece! To my surprise, turquoise was everywhere, as it was when I went to Egypt, and especially when I went to Turkey. Although I still can link turquoise with the Southwest US, it now gives me visions of ancient times in Mesopotamia, Turkey, Egypt and Greece especially when I mix it with lapis lazuli.
turquoise necklace
Turquoise Necklace with Carnelian

turquoise necklace
Turquoise Necklace with Vermiel

turquoise bracelet
Turquoise Bracelet with Lampwork Bead Focal and Sterling Silver
 Above, a Southwestern take on the turquoise bracelet, and below, a more Grecian look in turquoise and gold.
turquoise bracelet
Turquoise Bracelet with 14 Karat Gold-fill
The following pictures also demonstrate that the popularity of turquoise remains undiminished. It is truly beautiful and suits many different types of women.
double-strand turquoise necklace
Above, turquoise against tanned skin is a classic, but look, below, at how beautiful blond Cameron Diaz is in turquoise necklace and earrings.
turquoise necklace and earrings
Cynthia Nixon with her red hair and ultra fair skin is ravishing in this multi-strand, layered turquoise necklace. Look at how well it goes with her blue eyes! Every red-head should own turquoise jewelry.
turquoise necklace
Below, Selma Hayak sports two turquoise necklaces for a layered look.  I especially like the shorter one.
turquoise necklaces
Turquoise even flatters that summer perennial, the white tee!
triple-strand turquoise necklace


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  • Monday, April 28, 2014

    Shades of Blue and Purple

    Swarovski crystal bracelet
     I love the colors of Spring this year! The turquoises, blues, and purples are my favorites, and they are becoming on everyone no matter what her skin or hair color.  Swarovski crystals just continue to get more and more popular, so you will be seeing quite a few on the pages of Cluny Grey Jewelry!
    The first bracelet, above, is a luscious shade of orchid complemented with 14 karat gold-filled accents, charms and clasp.
    Below, the neon aqua apatite is a favorite gemstone of mine. It is translucent and looks wonderful usually combined with other gemstones.  In this case, those gemstones are gem quality amethysts and real Lightening Ridge opals from Australia!  The perfect metal is gold,  of course!
    unique bracelet

    Swarovski crystal bracelet
     Above Swarovski crystal bracelet, Swarovski's Pacific Opal looks fantastic with sterling silver and a single artist's lampwork bead.  The second strand of sterling silver chain (from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes) dangles more Swarovski crystals.
    Below, Swarovski's Chrysolite and Pacific opal look great with the opal cyclamen.
    Swarovski crystal bracelet

    bridesmaid jewelry
     Two versions on an aqua and white theme: top, Swarovski's Pacific Opal and marquise freshwater pearls, in one bracelet and below, Swarovski Azores and freshwater pearls in the shape of clovers or trefoils. Both Swarovski bracelets feature pretty sterling silver toggle clasps.
    bridesmaid jewelry

    Sunday, February 23, 2014

    Thinking of Spring, Weddings, Bridesmaids, and Pretty Things!

    bridesmaid jewelry
     It's never too early to begin thinking of wedding season.  While I don't do a lot of bridal jewelry, one thing that I've done since I began jewelry-making was making jewelry for bridesmaids. After being my friends' and son's weddings, I was familiar with the frenzy of wedding planning, and especially the difficulties of finding gifts for the bride to give her bridesmaids.  I thought bridesmaids' bracelets were the perfect answer to the problem.  Not only does the bride have a long-lasting gift to present those who are in her wedding, but the bridesmaids can actually wear the bracelets as part of their bridesmaid attire. Also, it's easy to personalize each bracelet just a bit, so that each bracelet is a slightly different from the other while keeping with the wedding theme.  For one wedding, a very caring bride sent me an email with a description of her bridesmaids' personalities so that I could make a bracelet that would fit with their styles.  All of the bracelets were made of amethysts, but each was unique!
    The bracelets and earrings here feature two staples for bridesmaid jewelry: Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls. The first bracelet, above, with creamy white freshwater pearls, a large cosmic Swarovski crystals, and a single blue heart is my favorite. With the blue heart (something blue) it also makes a great bridal bracelet. The bracelets are made either with sterling silver or 14 karat gold-fill.
    bridesmaid jewelryjewelry trends
    Above, genuine coral mixed with Swarovski crystals is great for a beach wedding.

    jewelry trends

    bridesmaid jewelry
    Earrings are also great for bridesmaids.  Again, Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls with sterling silver or 14 karat gold-fill is not only on trend, but a classic look!

    bridesmaid Jewelry


    bridesmaid jewelry


    Wednesday, December 04, 2013

    The Marvelous Rush of Christmas!

    drusy-jewelry-c4

    After a relaxing Thanksgiving, everyone here is thinking of Christmas! Orders are coming in, but it is not too late for a custom order! Choose the gemstones that you know she loves and put them in a bracelet, earrings, or necklace that is uniquely hers. Of course, our jewelry is all limited one of a kind pieces, such as the drusy bracelet that you see above. A large focal drusy glitters at its center.  Little agate rondelles cluster to one side of the drusy; on the other side is a pretty toggle clasp in sterling silver which is decorated with a flower. Beside it hangs a lotus bud charm. Two strands of gemstones, faceted agate rondelles and the prettiest bluest aquamarines are alternated with the tiniest sterling silver beads from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes.
    Below, this simple bracelet is made from two of the rarest gemstones: tanzanite and kunzite. Kunzite has a reputation as being the rarest gemstone in the world.  While it comes in other colors, the soft pink that you see here is what it is known for.  The tanzanite is a deep bluish purple and works well with the pink of the kunzite.
    gemstone-bracelet-e1

    These pieces are finally on the website although I may have shown them on the blog before. The handmade necklace, above, is one of my favorites. The vibrant colors of pink and aqua chalcedony, amethysts, and lemon quartz shine in this chunky necklace.
    Below, speaking of vibrant! The orange carnelian nuggets in this bracelet glow! With gold vermeil and artist's lampwork beads, this carnelian bracelet is a real stunner!
    Good luck with all your Christmas shopping! Please remember that the last day to order from us for Christmas delivery is December 19th!
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