Not officially part of the Spring Collection, but still an integral part of the Cluny Grey Jewelry Collection are our Swarovski crystal pieces. Whether the crystals stand alone in a jewelry piece or are mixed with freshwater pearls, as we often do, or with gemstones, Swarovski crystals are classics and the jewelry pieces we make from them are classic also. Above, this Swarovski crystal handmade necklace is very special with its two circles of golden crystals defining the ends of the necklace and the special Swarovski crystal rings hanging from them. This is really a type of short lariat necklace. Below, Swarovski crystals in the silver shadow colour mix very well with silvery freshwater pearls and sterling silver in this freshwater pearl necklace. Large cosmic and graphic Swarovski crystals are at intervals throughout the necklace for discreet sparkle. Because the crystals do not have an AB coating, you could actually wear this to the office with a business suit.
Although not sold as a set, the Swarovski crystal bracelet below looks great with the first necklace, above, while the Swarovski crystal bracelet below it looks great with the silver shadow pearl necklace. The third Swarovski crystal bracelet is made of uncoated Swarovski crystals in large sizes for a sedate sparkle that is still full of WOW!
Of course, we always have gemstone bracelets, and the labradorite bracelets you see below are some of our favorite. The flashing gemstones with its blue, yellow, green and aqua fire is always beautiful!
Below the labradorite is a gemstone bracelet handcrafted of pretty tourmalinated quartz. The paler green is perfect for Spring, and the toggle clasp features a cabochon of green onyx set in it.
More favorites: a sapphire bracelet with a borosilicate artist's lampwork focal bead and some of our favorite sterling silver; a spectacular aquamarine bracelet that is surprisingly mixed with rubies and has an outstanding hexagonal thick opaque ruby for a focal. The second strand is a simple chain maille chain with a single charm boasting a cabochon ruby set in its middle. The aquamarine slabs are gorgeous, and the bracelet has a cabochon ruby bezel set into the toggle clasp as well.
The last two bracelets star smoky quartz; one smoky quartz bracelet rocks with pretty faceted and carved beads of rose quartz; the other has lovely lampwork beads and sterling silver spiral charms that add colour and texture to it.
Below are two more views of the necklaces featured today. Please give me some time to get these priced and on the Cluny Grey Jewelry website. I have so much new jewelry that I've made that I am really running behind!
The Spring Collection continues with jewelry pieces in the newest Spring colours. And two of the newest colours for Spring in one of my favorite bracelets are the two colours mixed in the citrine bracelet above. The yellow is called Aurora (this citrine is perfect) and the other colour represented by Botswana agate and specially chosen rondelles of ocean jasper is a grey called eucalyptus. I love this combination because it reminds me of one of my favorite dresses of all time; I was in the ninth grade and it was a pretty grey wool a-line dress with a yellow organdy yoke with a tiny ruffle. I know, it sounds awful, but I felt gorgeous in it (quite a feat when you're in the ninth grade) and I have never forgotten how very chic those two colours were together. I would wear that dress now if I had it (in the right size, of course)!Below are two bracelets featuring the colour of the year - Turquoise - mixed with another spring colour - red. The gemstones are turquoise and carnelian, a very red carnelian, I might add. Carnelian comes in many different shades and if you look lower you'll see a carnelian and turquoise bracelet where the carnelian is quite orange!
Two more colours that are in for Spring: a pretty deep blue and a warm beige known as Tuscany. Both are represented here by chalcedony and porcelain jasper, respectively. Little charms highlight the flower them and a lampwork bead ties the colours together. This unique bracelet looks much prettier in person.Below, another colour for Spring 2010, champagne pink, a pretty delicate colour that will look good with many colours other than pink. The bracelet is made from champagne pink agate; many pieces are in carved shapes.
Above, the tomato red mixed with a hint of another new Spring colour: violet. This lampwork bracelet boasts some of the nicest artists' lampwork I have, and is embedded with little dots of gold. I've mixed them with goldfilled chains, charms, and accents for a bracelet that is really spectacular. The chains are varied, and some go only partially loop around the bracelet. Swarovski crystals add the finishing touch and make this bracelet truly outstanding.
After 55 inches of snow this year, a new record here in Washington, D.C./Arlington since 1899, it feels strange to think that it is almost March and that, despite the mounds of snow everywhere (there are still some large 5 -6 feet tall mounds) Spring is just around the corner!
Spring means new jewelry - LOTS of new jewelry! And the Spring colours this year are wonderful, or at least I think so, probably because one of the biggest colours for Spring is my favorite - turquoise. Whether it's called deep aqua, lagoon, or any other romantic name, turquoise is a wonderful colour that looks good on almost everyone; it is truly universally becoming. And if you are practicing a certain austerity lately, then a pop of turquoise, in a scarf, in jewelry (such as the apatite bracelet that you see above or the amazonite bracelet below) provides a touch of fashion that will enliven your spirit as well as your outfit.
The aquamarine earrings are a classic clear aquamarine nugget and gold mix while those mixed with sterling have an edgier look featuring chain that is so in right now.
I am so very fond of rock crystal, or clear quartz crystal as it is also known, that when I get some in, I can hardly wait to work with it. The necklace below is chock full of rock crystal smooth briolettes with sterling silver chain meandering around them as well as small freshwater pearls in a pretty grey colour. On one side, dark grey coin pearls hang below the crystals. Three different chains dangle sterling charms in a heart and key motif.
I fell in love with the faceted rock crystal in the quartz necklace (two views, above and below) that sparkles and glistens in sunlight and candlelight! The one spot of colour is a large faceted rectangle of rose quartz in a pretty deep pink.
Pretty in pink perfectly describes the bracelets below, both featuring rose quartz in a luscious pink, top bracelet, and a paler rose colour, (second bracelet).
And if Spring looms ahead, then Summer is just around the corner, so the two ankle bracelets here are just waiting for bare ankles. The first one is full of precious gemstones: emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, while the one underneath features amethysts.
Actually we've had rather a lot of snow here in the Washington, D.C., Arlington area! I am loving it! The federal government has been closed for the third day in a row, and will be closed tomorrow. For the first time today, I looked out and saw that the major streets I live on had not been cleared - still haven't. We're approaching the record of, I believe, 35 inches that was set in 1899 for D.C. The airports were completely closed today, and I'm wondering if my husband is going to be able to get in tomorrow on his afternoon flight.
Although I haven't been able to make jewelry as much as I'd like, I do have some new pieces that I haven't put on the blog before to show you. Because of the snow, I've been drawn to colour to counteract all the white and grey. The top bracelet is a medley of colours and gemstones: aqua, pink, and green chalcedony, peridot, amethyst, sterling silver, and a special sterling silver vintage clasp that has a pink tulip (probably glass) on it. The necklace features similar colours and gemstones to the bracelet although it wasn't meant to be an exact match. In keeping with the theme of bright colours, the necklace below has bright yellow citrines, carved and faceted, and bright blue chalcedony along with kyanite of a similar colour blue.
I love to work with aquamarines whether I am simply mixing them with a metal (as in the aquamarine bracelet above mixed with 14 karat goldfilled accents and bangles) or with golden freshwater Biwa pearls, below, or rose quartz. Aquamarines look good with almost everything!
I love the vermeil accents mixed with the golden Biwas, above. Below, a great butterfly bead adds interest as does the pretty rose quartz cabochon on the sterling box clasp.
Also, I haven't forgotten that the birthstone for February is amethyst, so the two bracelets directly above, one, amethyst bracelet with borosilicate artist's lampwork, and a multi=strand rainbow moonstone bracelet t
hat has a huge faceted amethyst nugget with white veins running through it.
Last is a necklace handmade, of course, with pink Botswana agates with the most interesting patterns on some of the nuggets, freshwater Biwa pearls, and freshwater "druzy" pearls.
Don't forget our free shipping or our special page of gemstone earrings all selling for only $20.10!
I love the sound of "lazy Sundays" although mine are usually not lazy at all. I often spend them working on photographs and the website if I've been able to make any jewelry that week. But I still love the concept and even though I'm working, it's as though the work isn't really work since I'm doing it on Sunday! It may be January, but I am busy working on new Spring jewelry; meanwhile, here are some pieces that will be on the website in the next day or two if they are not already. Above is a unique bracelet with a special wirewrapped focal bead, a faceted rectangle of rose quartz, and 5 strands of rose quartz rondelles interspersed with different gemstones - rubies, citrines, tourmalinated quartz, apatite, and amethysts. (It's my new favorite!). Below, you can never have too much labradorite! This labradorite bracelet is made up of two strands of different sizes and shapes of labradorite beads with little charms of labradorite hanging from the strands, and sterling silver accents.
I've been very interested in pearls lately, mixing and matching them with different elements. Below is a coin pearl bracelet with red magma Swarovski crystals (I love this red magma colour!) A sterling silver handmade rose and leaf from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes hang from one side of the bracelet. The freshwater coin pearls have a lovely nacre.
(See
Gemstone Earrings)
More pearls below: freshwater pearl earrings in pink with light rose Swarovski crystals match the pearl bracelet with its flower accents, including a pretty flower decorated toggle clasp in sterling. The last two pieces are simple coin pearl necklaces, the first with Swarovski crystals and sterling silver, and the second with vermeil and keishe pearls.
January's weather has turned from snow to rain; I can't wait for more snow! I am working (and have been on the new Spring jewelry for this year, and there's something about a heavy coating of snow on the ground that is inspirational when it comes to jewelry. Meanwhile, I've also been getting ready for Valentine's Day and working on a special page of earrings!Above are two bracelets featuring the Red Magma colour from Swarovski; I love this colour, a muted orangey red with a deep tone. The first is a silver bangle bracelet with Karen Hill Tribes tube beads and red magma crystals in the cosmic shape. Next is a freshwater pearl bracelet with creamy arrow shaped freshwater pearls. Below, I've had these pink Botswana agate sharply faceted nuggets on the workbench for some time, trying to decide what to do with them. Then I got in some white coral from Thailand and it seemed perfect for the swirling patterns of pink, white, and grey in the Botswana agate. A large sterling silver starfish is on either side of the necklace, and an S clasp features a starfish atop it. All the sterling silver is from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes. This necklace looks great with a crisp white blouse, and with sweaters - the softness of the colours, I suppose. It would be a perfect gift for Valentine's Day. Below the necklace is a pair of earrings with freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal butterflies in red, another perfect Valentine's Day gift.
Pietersite is a lovely gemstone that is both polished and earthy at the same time. It's pretty patterns are brown, but include gold, beige, black, blue, sienna, rust, and tan. The bracelet has two strands: one strand is of gemstones, and the other is a sterling silver chain with Swarovski crystals in mocha hanging from it. The Swarovski crystals, which are also in the main strand, add a sparkle to the bracelet and lift it from everyday to special! Below are matching pietersite earrings.
THE SPECIAL I'M WORKING ON will be a page of gemstone earrings which will sell for only $20.10 each. These are all genuine gemstones and sterling silver - no base metals, no faux stones! For example, below: smoky quartz, rose quartz, and chalcedony.
Just for fun, a charm bracelet that is all gemstones and sterling silver. The gemstone charms include aquamarine, chalcedony, smoky quartz, moonstone, Botswana agate, rose quartz, and opal. All the charms hang from the double-linked sterling silver bracelet which fastens with a sturdy toggle clasp.
REMEMBER THAT SHIPPING IS FREE WITH ANY PURCHASE OVER $50.00; UNDER $50.00, EVERYTHING SHIPS FOR THE LOW RATE OF $1.95!
More favorites: a sapphire bracelet with a borosilicate artist's lampwork focal bead and some of our favorite sterling silver; a spectacular aquamarine bracelet that is surprisingly mixed with rubies and has an outstanding hexagonal thick opaque ruby for a focal. The second strand is a simple chain maille chain with a single charm boasting a cabochon ruby set in its middle. The aquamarine slabs are gorgeous, and the bracelet has a cabochon ruby bezel set into the toggle clasp as well.
