Showing posts with label b. Show all posts
Showing posts with label b. Show all posts

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Summer Stones, Winter Jewels

When I mix gemstones for bracelets, I mix because of a paradigm that I've adhered to for quite a while. I see many gemstones in terms of season. That may sound stupid, but I simply can't help it, and if you look at many of the jewelry pieces that I design, you can see this particular mind-set of mine at work. First, let me say that I wear all gemstones at almost any time of the year - this is something that happens when I'm creating. And, let me add that the precious gemstones that I use: ruby, sapphire, and emerald seem to me to be seasonless - that is, they can be for the hottest day of summer or the coldest of winter, but with certain other coloured stones, I have a definite prejudice!
Above you see one example: a citrine bracelet with two strands of citrine and silver; now, that is definitely a summer bracelet as is the aquamarine bracelet that you see below:Of course, the link is easy, you think: sea and sun! But if you look at the rainbow moonstone bracelet below because of the white (beneath the blue flash) most people would think of summer. Not I! Rainbow moonstone is a winter stone; I have the same idea about labradorite jewelry. I attribute it to the blue flashes that they have that always remind me of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights and conjure up visions of snow, reindeer in Lapland, the icy lands of Norway and Finland.
Sunstone is one of those stones that reminds me of hot summers - and also, hot days of Autumn, before that first chill sets in. It truly is a warm stone. And as one might think, when I mix pastel colours largely for one of my unique bracelets, it usually turns out to be a summer bracelet.
So what season is the peacock blue apatite and sunstone bracelet? The addition of the dark peacock blue makes it seasonless, adding the cool tones of winter to that hot summer sun. I've also de-seasoned a bracelet with labradorite as well - adding some aquamarine for summer and balancing the two stones with amethyst (which I think of as Fall and Spring)and a couple of dichroic beads for extra sparkle. To make the top citrine bracelet Fall-worthy, I would probably add some ocean jasper to it.
I know that some designers prefer to consult a colour wheel, but we all design in our own way - and sometimes in a way that perhaps makes sense only to one person.


Above is a "seasonless" emerald bracelet.



Monday, October 1, 2007

Sorry!

SOLD

Big sorry for those of you expecting a post over the weekend - not only a party on Friday but my silver work course over the weekend plus a bout of cystitis meant I was extremly tired and low (still am:( ) I think I pushed myself to continue over the weekend but peeing razor blades (No not literally!!) meant I was phsically drained! The course was fantastic (at Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery)we made a bracelet chain to begin with so when my soldering stuff arrives expect some delights!! A ring was next and its amazing watching something trasform - I'm wearing it now!) also a pendant and earrings.
Excuse the photos I have been nagged for them ;0) so took them quickly!! I met some wonderful ladies (*waves hello if you are reading) all who are really talented!
The bracelet is sterling silver, fired, soldered and put together of course cleaned and polished!




















The earrings need to go in my tumbler but I'm really happy with them, the pendant is quite large but looks fab on a long chain!



And this is my hammered ring - its much more shiny than this picture showed but I wanted to also show you the texture!
A fabulous highly recommended weekend!
© Gemheaven 2007