The Jewelry Blog: sunstone

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Sparkle and Gleam

The Austrian crystal earrings above (Swarovski Austrian crystal) are a perfect match for the Swarovski crystal bracelet that you see below. Both earrings and bracelet feature the ruby Swarovski crystals in the Graphic shape, perfect for earrings and bracelet. The Graphic shape is an elegant, dressy shape, perfect for bracelets since it will lie flat on the wrist, and the shape is a classic, timeless look for earrings. I find Swarovski's labeling the colour "ruby" interesting since it is not what I think of a ruby colour immediately. Swarovski's "ruby" has a pink, well, really, a fuschia tinge to it, while I think of ruby as being a totally clear but dark red. No matter what you call it, the colour is gorgeous as are the Graphic crystals.
Below the ruby bracelet is another Swarovski crystal bracelet, this one made with pale golden topaz crystals and morion crystals. I love the morion crystals; at first, they appear to be a translucent black, then maybe they have a blue tinge? Then you realize it's a teal-green, maybe? Whatever, I love the morion because it looks so great with the lighter Swarovski crystals.

The lampwork bracelet below has gorgeous lampwork with a partially pink opal look to it. Swarovski's pink crystals work well with them. The sterling silver disks are special beads I just received from Bali; they are completely covered with hand-decorated flowers. A Swarovski butterfly in pink hangs beside the toggle clasp.

The new gemstone bracelets posted are below. First, a smoky quartz bracelet made with some of Robin Weber's beautiful silver-laced lampwork beads. The faceted smoky quartz beads in this bracelet are especially pretty. Below, the smoky quartz bracelet are two bracelet sets (although they are sold separately, I will give a discount if you wish to buy them as a set). The first is a favorite gemstone of mine: sunstone. The sunstone bracelet and earrings are made with sparkling sunstones that glitter in the light - artificial or sunlight. The bracelet also features some more of those special sterling beads from Bali.

Finally, the amazonite jewelry that you see below is handmade from turquoise-blue amazonite of unusually even colour. Faceted teardrop earrings have special earwires with a rose decoration on the front. The bracelet has one of my favorite huge nuggets, faceted, as its focal; it is accented by lampwork beads by Suzette Celestin and sterling silver.

If you are considering buying handcrafted jewelry as a Christmas gift, now is the time to buy. You will avoid the worry of whether your gift will arrive on time, and you'll still have time to return it to get it resized or to exchange it if something isn't quite right.
Also, consider taking the pledge to "buy handmade" this holiday season. Go to Why Buy Handmade to learn how buying handmade articles can help the environment, the economy, and the satisfaction you receive when gift-giving.

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Friday, July 13, 2007

A Preview of the New Fall Colours

I don't know about you, but I'm enjoying summer; so far, the heat and humidity have not been that bad here in Arkansas. Of course, as I soon as I write this, we will probably be stricken with a heat wave and humidity so dense if feels as though we're breathing underwater. It has been what I think of as "pleasantly hot"; that is, hot enough to enjoy cooling off in the pool and to want nice cold drinks, but not hot enough to make me want to avoid going out of doors at all (wait until August!).
Meanwhile I've been working on some jewelry commissions, and even trying to get ready for Fall a bit (yes, already).
Above is a bracelet I made using some of the new Fall 2007 colours although the look definitely says summer also. The lampwork beads are some of my favourites; they are etched for a matte finish. (I think of them as having a "desert" look.) Fire agate and gorgeous aqua chalcedony complete the look.

Above and below are more new Fall colours. I made a trio of these bracelets that can be worn separately or 2 at a time or all 3 together. These colours are from a palette described as "forest". The colour I love is the muted aqua/teal colour; in the bracelet this colour is represented by the faceted kyanite coins. I'm not sure how to describe the colour, but it is referred to as "Stargazer", and I love that name. Smoky quartz is great with this colour, and the dark brown, the darkest brown is a big colour for this Fall also. Finally, the sparkly sunstone that glitters represents a bright golden dark peach colour that is a favourite of mine anytime.