Shades of Red

The Holidays and New Years bring out shades of red in these new designs. I was challenged to design in-particular with the color red, since I don’t often work with that color. The 3 designs that came from the design board and my imagination are bold, classy, flirty, and have some bling!

The first design is new, just finished from the studio is bold, chunky and a little casual. I used chunky pieces of red coral and smaller rondelles, mixed it with onyx and mother-of-pearl spikes. Then accented the piece with several of my signature double coil spiral links in non-tarnish silver wire. The earrings are dangle from fishhooks, in smaller gemstones in coral, onyx and glass silver-lined seed beads.

The second design is also bold and chunky with a side of flirty. Here I used red coral barrel gemstones capped with pewter filigree caps, matching red coral rondelles and silver disks. Then accented with square onyx, silver-lined seed beads and large silver wired charms. The earrings dangle from fishhooks of the red coral barrel beads and filigree caps.

The last design is bold, bling and classy with a splash of sassy. This one incorporates small and medium sized curb silver chain with 3 large Sardonyx Agate ovals in black, red and white tones. And then accented with Smoky Quartz and Swarovski Crystals. The dangle earrings from fishhooks use a silver wired charm with Swarvoski crystals and Smoky Quartz.

For detailed information on all 3 designs see my website where they are available for purchase, along with many new jewelry gemstone designs!

Sun Zodiac Gemstones

Everyone knows what their Birthstone is; but how many know their Sun or Zodiac gemstone? According to the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), “Most gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron: a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.Because ancient people did not always classify gemstones by mineral species like we do, there is some debate about which gemstones were set in the breastplate and why. Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed different birth stone lists. The modern day list that you know is only the most recent list: some older lists still exist. Some also argue that the proper way to assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not month.”

Below is a list of the Sun/Zodiac Signs and their corresponding gemstone or birthstone. If you’d like to choose yours based on your actual birth date, you can go the ICA website and use their Gem-o-Matic to discover your actual or preferred gemstone for your birthday, anniversary or any other date you like.

Sun Sign = Birthstone
Capricorn 12/22 – 1/20 – Ruby, Agate, Garnet
Aquarius 1/21 – 2/19 – Garnet, Moss Agate, Opal, Amethyst
Pisces 2/20 – 3/20 – Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Amethyst, Bloodstone
Aries 3/21-4/20 – Bloodstone, Diamond
Taurus 4/21-5/21 – Sapphire, Turquoise, Amber, Blood Coral, Emerald
Gemini 5/22-6/21 – Agate, Chrysoprase, Pearl
Cancer 6/22-7/23 – Emerald, Moonstone, Pearl, Ruby
Leo 7/24-8/23 – Tourmaline, Sardonyx, Onyx
Virgo 8/24-9/23 – Jasper, Carnelian, Jade, Sapphire
Libra 9/24-10/23 – Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot
Scorpio 10/24-11/22 – Aquamarine, Topaz
Sagittarius 11/23-12/21 – Sapphire, Amethyst, Turquoise, Topaz

Dramatic Saradonyx Agate & Links Necklace – New!

This is my newest design hot off the design board and making a bold and mystic debut at 24.5” long! I really love how this one came out; I might even say it is my ‘newest’ favorite for a while. This one took some time, about 4 hours to complete.

Each spiral link is handcrafted using non-tarnish brass and black wires and then ‘charmed’ together. I was going for a dramatic look by adding Saradonyx Agate gemstones in beautiful tones of black, brown and white in a suspended dangle from each link, adding three as a center pendant. Full of fall colors for an elegant evening out or just casual wear.