Tag Archives: metalsmith

poppy jasper and silver ring ~ custom made

I created this custom poppy jasper and silver ring for my lovely friend (and fabulous hairdresser) Charmaine. Charmaine is such a kind person, it’s always a pleasure to have a good old chat about life, the universe and everything with her (and have my hair done of course!)

Charmaine chose the stone from my collection of gemstone cabochons. I chose to showcase the beautiful stone with a simple matte silver border and ring shank. I love simplicity, and I always believe in letting the stone do the talking!

As well as this poppy jasper and silver ring, Charmaine has a number of my creations in her jewellery box. You can see her dendritic opal ring, her agatised fossil ring, and her malachite earrings here on my website. I always love creating for her – her taste is very similar to mine.

Jasper is the name for a large group of gemstones which are basically a variety of silica. The word jasper means spotted or speckled stone in old French. Poppy jasper is a kind of orbicular jasper, so named because of the round eye like patterns in the stone. There’s some good information about poppy jasper here. There are many beautiful variations of jasper!

bumblebee jasper and silver ring ~ handcrafted ring

I created this custom bumblebee jasper and silver ring for the lovely Elektra of Luna’s Light. Check out her Instagram feed, she has a wealth of fabulous crystals in her collection. A woman after my own heart!

Elektra found her own cabochon and asked if I could make her a ring, which I was happy to do! If you wanted your own, you could choose a stone from the gemstone selection I have available.

I do have some more bumblebee jasper in my gemstone collection, so if you would like your own bumblebee jasper and silver ring, get in touch. You’ll love having a bespoke piece made for yourself!

Bumblebee jasper is actually a kind of calcite, with no quartz in it at all! There’s some good information about bumblebee jasper here.

amber and silver pendant and earrings set

My lovely friend Anna commissioned me to make an amber and silver pendant and earrings set. The set was a Christmas gift for her mum. What a sweetie, and so thoughtful!

Anna chose the amber cabochons from my available gemstone collection. The brief was that the set be fairly delicate, and that the earrings not hang too low. I drew up a few designs, and we worked out what Anna’s mum would like best.

Amber is actually fossilised tree resin, and sometimes contains suspended life forms, for instance insects or plants. You can read a bit more about amber here.

blue chalcedony and silver ring ~ gemstone piece

This blue chalcedony and silver ring was a custom creation for Carla. Carla is a lovely client from Goulburn, Australia which is not far from Canberra where I grew up. I have family in Goulburn, too!

Carla liked the rings she saw in The Silver Forge shop, but was keen to have one made specifically in her size. She chose the gorgeous piece of blue chalcedony from the gemstone selection I have available.

I do have some more chalcedony in my gemstone collection, so if you would like your own blue chalcedony and silver ring, get in touch. It’s so nice to have a bespoke piece made for yourself!

You can read more about blue chalcedony in the blog post I wrote. There’s also some great information to be found here.

tassel earrings with silver earwires

The rage right now is tassel earrings, and I love pairing them with handmade silver earwires! Fashion doesn’t usually drive me, but I’ve been in love with the tassel lately. I worked out how to make some using high quality cotton (and sterling silver of course), and I’m pretty pleased with the result. To give the earrings a fresh and fabulous look, I used silver for the earwire, the hanging part at the top, and the wrap around of the tassel.

I made these particular lovelies as gifts for two of my dearest besties in the whole world. I find a constant source of joy in being able to create beautiful things for amazing people!

You can find some tassel earrings with silver earwires in my online shop. Although these earrings have nearly sold out at present, I am getting ready to match another fabulous batch of these in a gorgeous array of colours. I’d also be very happy to make you a pair in any colour you dream of! You have a rainbow of choices available. Let me know what colour tassels your earrings should have by getting in touch with me here; and of course, sterling silver is hypo-allergenic so is perfect for everyone!

History

Tassels have been around for thousands of years. Tassel creators use a wide variety of materials. Throughout history, they’ve appeared as decoration, for religious purposes, and in ceremonial wear. So varied and highly prized were they that in 16th century France an apprenticeship of seven years was required to become a master in the guild of ‘passementiers’. If you’re interested, you can read more a bit more about their history here on Wikipedia. You can also read about them here on Martha Stewart’s website.

Meanwhile, tassels add a great pop of colour to any outfit! They can be a bit of fun for a day at the office, or sleek and beautiful for a night at a party – you get to choose and enjoy them any way you like!

treble clef earrings – Beethoven’s own handwriting

One of my clients, Jake, asked if I could create a pair of treble clef earrings, using Ludwig van Beethoven‘s own handwriting for a template.

What a joyous and fabulous idea! Jake sent me the snippet of handwriting via email. I was able to reference the handwriting while I bent the silver to the same shape.

I was very pleased to oblige, and also to honour Beethoven in this way.

charoite and silver ring – handmade in brisbane

I made this charoite and silver ring as my lovely client Emma needed a purple ring. I sourced this beautiful piece of charoite for her.

Emma came to collect it along with a couple of her other Silver Forge rings which I gave some TLC to for her. She was very happy with it!

I do have some more charoite in my gemstone collection in case you’re in love with this and would like your own ring. So rich and gorgeous! You can find out more about this lovely gemstone here.

amazonite and silver ring – custom silver jewellery

I created this amazonite and silver ring for my lovely client Natasha. She chose this gorgeous amazonite gemstone from my gemstone collection.

Amazonite gets its name from the Amazon River, however there is some doubt about whether the stone actually occurs there.

Natasha commissioned this ring so she could give it to her mum. What a lovely and special gift for a lovely and special person!

variscite and silver ring – custom made ring

My lovely client Rebecca chose this gorgeous stone from my gemstone collection, to have made into this variscite and silver ring.

I love variscite. The colour is divine, and I love the inclusions in the stone. They remind us that this piece of rock came out of the ground, formed over millions of years.

With nothing more than a cut and polish, along with a bit of silversmithing magic, this ring is a beautiful statement piece and a potential family heirloom. Wonderful! If you’d like a ring of your own, do get in touch. I’d love to create one for you.

jade and silver ring – handmade nephrite ring

My lovely client Bec chose this beautiful jade stone from my gemstone collection to have made into a jade and silver ring.

I love the colours and the shape of the stone.

Bec visited me in my workshop to choose her stone and discuss this creation. It was lovely to meet Bec and to create for her!

the silver forge

jewellery handcrafted by ruthie gray