The Jewelry Blog: jade

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Batch of Bracelets

I love bracelets as you can probably tell by looking at this post today. New gemstones and sterling silver are a great temptation and make it hard to leave the office to go home. Sometimes I have so many pretty gemstones that it is overwhelming - I want to use them all at once, think of 10 different projects and can't get started on any of them. But I have gotten a bit done this week.
The unusual bracelet above is definitely a "happy" bracelet full of colour and fun. I pulled some of my James Derrick Reeves special lampwork beads from my secret stash and used turquoise chalcedony, carnelian, amethyst, and jade to pick up the colours in these very colourful beads.
Below, Suzette Celestin's very feminine beads are complemented by large nuggets of pink Peruvian opal and green quartz in this unique bracelet that appears to be a harbinger of Spring (ah, but at least 2 months of chill before the warm comes to Arkansas!).

In contrast to all the colour above is this jasper bracelet handmade (of course) with ocean jasper in soothing shades of green and off-white and wonderfully subtle lampwork beads to match.
Below the jasper is a new combination for me: porcelain jasper ovals with faceted and smooth muscovite, gold-laced lampwork bead with the same quiet tones as the jasper and intricate sterling silver. You will be able to find this one on the Unusual Jewelry page of the Cluny Grey Jewelry website.

Finally, for those who love what I call "strong pastels" a chalcedony bracelet with pink, tuquoise, and blue chalcedony - beautiful gemstone beads - with matching lampwork and a second strand made up of Karen Hill Tribes sterling silver chain and charms.
Remember: Wherever you go, wear your jewelry!

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Wednesday, December 03, 2008

A Great Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, despite rarely getting to spend it with my only son (I get to do that at Christmas). But this Thanksgiving was special; not only did I get to spend it with my son and his wife, we went to them in Washington, D.C. and had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at 1789 (great restaurant in Georgetown) along with other friends and my niece and her fiance. The great news: I am going to be a grandmother!!! I've never had a Thanksgiving quite like this one! My only wish is that my sister, her husband and son could have been there too (our regular Thanksgiving crew).

Although I've been busy traveling and eating good food, I do have some new pieces on the website. You can find new bracelets on the Swarovski Crystal Bracelets page and the Lampwork Bracelets page.
Today, I'm featuring 3 of the newest necklaces to hit the Cluny Grey Jewelry website. The top labradorite necklace has a pretty teardrop shaped pendant with a labradorite cabochon with plenty of flash. The second rose quartz necklace is a favorite of mine, not only because it is made with vermeil (gold), but because of the very large, rough-cut rose quartz nuggets that make up the lower sides of the necklace. The pendant is especially too: a large rose quartz cabochon with bezel-set citrines at the bottom.
Finally, the bottom necklace is made primarily of jade with a sterling silver pendant consisting of a carved flower and a prehnite cabochon. Do remember that when these are shown on display, they look longer usually than they actually are. Please ask if you need a necklace a certain length.