This handcrafted chrysocolla and silver bangle was a custom build for one of my lovely clients. Robbie wanted a unique and personal gift to give to his partner for her birthday. He visited my workshop and viewed the selection of gemstones I had available. The gorgeous pair of chrysocolla stones caught his eye, and they are the perfect shade for a redhead to wear.
As I usually do, I kept the design of this handcrafted chrysocolla and silver bangle simple. The gemstones are the key feature of the piece. I prefer to let them do the talking. Often, the simple things in life are the best!
Chrysocolla is a copper containing mineral, and is often found with turquoise and malachite. This gemstone comes in the most glorious shades from deep green to bright blue. I’ve made a few pieces with this gorgeous stone, including this pendant for my lovely mum. Meanwhile, I have a couple of pieces on the bench now waiting for me to turn them into custom pieces.
I have some other beautiful pairs of gemstones in different colours and shapes. If you’d like your own bangle, or even a pair of earrings, let me know. I’d be happy to create for you!
It’s all about earrings style! In part one of a series of tips about the basics of jewellery wearing we looked at necklaces, and in part two we looked at rings. Today we’re looking at those fabulous fashion items, earrings.
earrings style – lengths
You might have noticed that my earrings come in various shapes and sizes. One of the things that can make a big difference to whether earrings suit you is their length.
My current basic earring designs are anywhere between 3cm and 5cm long.
3cm is good for everyday wear and for people who like a subtler look, and goes well with a heavier bead so that there is less movement and tugging on the earlobe (I hate that pulling stretching feeling!).
5cm skims the jawline on most people (apparently the most flattering look, who knew!); and is great for making a statement. Also good for people with longer hair. The design of my earrings keeps the bead still so that there is still limited pulling on the earlobe – so comfortable it feels like you’re hardly wearing anything!
If you’ve spotted a bead that you love on my website, but don’t like the drop – let me know and I can make you a pair of earrings any length.
style – hooks
I like to design my earrings in different shapes and sizes – and the shape of the earring wire is one of the differences that can affect how comfortable you find your earrings!
I create a number of different earwire shapes. My personal favourite is the oblong. This shape allows the earring to balance comfortably across the hole in the earlobe and provides stability so that the earring doesn’t swing and drag on the lobe.
The curve shape suits some beads better, and is comfortable no matter what size your earlobe.
The hook shape is a modification of the curve shape, the small kick at the end giving slightly more security stopping the earring from coming out of the ear unexpectedly.
Round hoops are a nice earring shape to give more depth to the earring. Square hoops are the same. I usually wear mine with the right angle corner at the centre of the lobe, but you could wear them with the longer side flat through the lobe if you want.
Really, it’s a matter of personal preference. If you find a bead that you love on my website, and would like a different earwire style, let me know – I’d be happy to make your earrings with your preferred style!
style – materials
When deciding what material your earrings should be made from, sterling silver is a good choice. As well as being beautiful, it is usually hypoallergenic, so you avoid allergic reactions and green skin (problems usually brought about by the nickel in inferior quality metal).
I am a bit of a purist, so I like to use natural materials such as stone, glass and ceramic in my earrings. That’s not to say that I won’t one day embrace resin and plastic!
Earring size and shape is really a matter of comfort and personal preference of course. Tell me, what’s your favourite style earrings?
Andii contacted me to see if I would make her some stacking mother’s rings. What a gorgeous idea!
The rings are set with the birthstones of her two children, and stamped on the inside with their names and birthdates.
The heart cutout ring has the details of Andii and her partner’s marriage.
A lovely timeless set, which I’m sure her children will cherish too!
My lovely client Emma chose this amazing drusy cabochon to be made into this pink and white agate ring. The stone gets the amazing colour through treatment. I usually prefer natural stones, but sometimes a treated stone is just too good to pass up!The ring is a huge one at nearly 5 cm long. It makes a great statement piece, but is comfortable enough for daily wear. The stone sits on top of the finger, but allows full movement of the finger below. I love to wear huge rings, and I take them off only if it gets very hot or if I’m doing something quite manual, like building another ring! You can read more about wearing my rings here.
Emma has a number of gorgeous Silver Forge pieces, including this pink and white agate ring. Check out her charoite ring; her shattuckite ring and her haematite ring. Fabulous! It’s always lovely when she drops by to browse my gemstones and have a chat. Thanks for visiting, Emma!
