Almost March!!!

I have an unusual grouping of jewelry today; perhaps I should say "eclectic" since there are a variety of gemstones and colours and textures. I am still working on my "African Rhythms" collection and you will be seeing and hearing more of it. Meanwhile, today's group includes from the top: a fire agate bracelet accented with carnelian gemstones and one of my favorite sterling filigree toggle clasps.  Below are fire agate dangling earrings.

Below is a classic Swarovski crystal bracelet with large clear Swarovski crystals and 14 Karat goldfilled accents. The gold pieces are rather large and include fluted accents on either side of the large crystal cube in the center, a gold flower charm, and a gold toggle clasp.  Remember with care (keep it out of the pool; store it properly) 14 karat goldfill will last as long as 14k gold.

Citrines and chalcedony cluster near the large artist's lampwork which is the focal of this citrine bracelet along with a filigree flower charm in sterling from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes.

One of my favorite bracelets is the kyanite bracelet with its very pretty sterling silver additions.  Ropey rings are near the center; little cluster charms hang from the patterned oval linked chain, and a sweet flower toggle features three flowers on the toggle and one on the toggle bar.  Kyanite is one of the softer gemstones, so be sure to store it properly. It will, however, stand up to everyday wear.

From above, Austrian crystal earrings have two sizes of Swarovski crystal butterflies hanging from each earwire for a dangling delight. Next is a bracelet with a phenomenal drusy flashing sparkling crystals. The Montana agate and Botwana agate play supporting roles. Below, carnelian faceted nuggets and beautiful diamond facets flank another drusy of orange and cream.  The second strand is a chain of larger oval links with three sterling Thai Hill Tribes flower charms.

Finally, the last two bracelets both have two strands: the first is a chalcedony bracelet with artist's lampwork and blue chalcedony. A pretty sterling chain and scalloped toggle clasp complete the feminine look.  The last bracelet is made of very blue turquoise; this turquoise bracelet benefits from the addition of clear Swarovski crystals for sparkle and a slightly more formal look. These blue faceted rectangles are some of our favorites!

African Rhythms

I'm still catching up from my trip to Africa, but here are a few samples of jewelry pieces that are in my new collection called African Rhythms. It's going to take me a few days to get them on the pages of the website since I am still behind on shipping, but they will be there soon with more to come! Enjoy!

To the left, a lampwork bracelet with special lampwork beads, a sterling silver bird toggle,  and Swarovski crystals in a copper colour.  Below, Swarovski crystals in rainbow colours grace the Swarovski bracelet with sterling silver.

Above is an iolite bracelet and below:

a fire agate bracelet;  followed by bracelets of lampwork and Swarovski red magma;  smoky quartz with gold vermeil;  leopardskin jasper;  carnelian, citrine, and amethyst, and a necklace made of sterling silver and chalcedony.

The First Day of Summer!

Finally, the first day of summer! It's a busy time of year especially at Cluny Grey. As I sit and make jewelry, I can't help but think how each piece will look with a sundress or tanned skin or a halter-top. Although jewelry really isn't "summer" or "winter" the way clothes are, certain materials, such as coral, lend themselves to a summery, even beachy feeling. For example, the top bracelet, above, is made with the new Swarovski colour (which I love) called cyclamen opal, but it evokes the beach with the swirling wave-like pattern of its lampwork beads. The next bracelet, made of rainbow moonstone and triangular-shaped freshwater pearls seems perfect for a white or patterned sundress. And, of course, the bracelet below, made of blue coral, would make anyone think of the beach because of its ocean-themed beads and charms: shells, dolphins, starfish.The two last bracelets feature cloisonne. The Swarovski bracelet with its sea-blue crystals (Capri blue) has cloisonne eggs with silver trim instead of the usual gold. The bottom bracelet has just one cloisonne bead, but it is gorgeous and looks terrific with Swarovski crystals in Pacific opal - all the elements of this bracelet are 14k GF.

Enjoy these summer days, and don't forget our FREE SHIPPING!!!!!