Tag Archives: necklace

Smoky Quartz and Sterling Silver Pendant

Smoky Quartz and Sterling Silver Pendant

One of the lovely mums from school had inherited this gorgeous piece of smoky quartz, and asked if I would be able to make it into a pendant for her to give to her mum. The stone even came to me in a cute little vintage box!

Smoky Quartz and Sterling Silver Pendant

I created the setting so that the stone would be protected, but the maximum amount of light would come through – I always aim to make the stone the star of the show!

Smoky Quartz and Sterling Silver Pendant

Thanks, Emma, and I’m so glad your mum loves her new pendant!

Smoky Quartz and Sterling Silver Pendant

Opal and Sterling Silver Gumleaf Pendant

Opal and Sterling Silver Gum Leaf Pendant

A friend from circus training needed a gift for a girl about to have her bat mitzvah in the US. He wanted something that was age appropriate, timeless, and Australian without being tacky.

Opal and Sterling Silver Gumleaf Pendant

I designed this pendant for him, the gum leaf and the opal both being very Australian!

Opal and Sterling Silver Gumleaf Pendant

I love boulder opal, so many fabulous colours.

Sterling Silver Spiral Seashell Necklace

Style – Necklaces

In part one of a series of tips about the basics of jewellery wearing, I’m looking at necklaces. A necklace is a piece of jewellery which (as the name would suggest!) is worn around the neck. If the necklace has a primary hanging feature, it is called a pendant. If the pendant is a small container, that is called a locket.

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Statement Necklace

Necklaces come in various lengths to suit different styles and different occasions. Some standard lengths are:

Necklaces Length Guide

When you’re trying to determine the right length necklace for you, use a measuring tape to measure your neck. Standard necklace measurements as shown above assume a 35 cm (14 inch) neck, but of course we all vary wildly, so calculate accordingly! Add 5 cm (2 inches) to your neck measurement for a comfortable length for chokers; add 10 cm (4 inches) to it for princess length. Alternatively take a favourite necklace, or use a piece of string to measure around your neck from the desired level; then lay the string or necklace out straight and measure how long it is. That measurement will be the length you’re after.

Black Star Diopside and Stering Silver Extraterrestrial Pendant

Choker: suits a garment with a high neckline. Chokers can work well for people with long necks.

Princess: sits just below the throat at the collarbone. This is the most common necklace length, and is a good length for a pendant. This style works with most necklines as it can sit above or on top of the garment.

Matinee: sits below the collarbone and just above the bust. People with larger necks may choose this length for a pendant style necklace too. Matinee length draws attention to the center of the bust area, so bear that in mind when choosing this style. Women with larger busts may want to opt for a longer necklace to create a more balanced look.

Opera: hangs below the bust, and elongates the torso. This length works well with high necklines and evening wear. If you have a fuller bust, an opera length necklace can be an issue as it may not hang properly. You could try a necklace that sits slightly higher on the body, such as a princess length necklace.

Rope: can reach all the way to the waist. A versatile length, in that you can double and layer it, or wear a pendant on it. Looks great for business and evening wear.

Flat Coin Clear Handblown Glass Bubble and Sterling Silver Necklace

When deciding what material your necklace 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). Stainless steel can also highlight your pendant choice. Leather or ‘pleather’ (pretend leather) is another good option.

Sea Glass and Sterling Silver Long Claw Set Pendant

If you are planning to wear a pendant on your necklace, take into account the size and weight of the piece you will be wearing when you choose the necklace you will be suspending it from. This is important both physically to support the weight; and aesthetically to balance the piece.

Sterling Silver Belcher Chain with Handmade ClaspBear in mind that in a similar way to sunglasses, a necklace helps to frame your face, so try out different lengths and see what they do for you.  A long necklace may flatter a taller frame where a smaller frame might need a shorter style. A good thing to consider is that people’s eyes will stop at the point where your necklace ends. And remember, really, a necklace is a personal choice – with a little trial and error you will work out what suits you and your wardrobe.

I am always happy to create you a made to measure silver necklace, whatever size you require. You can contact me here!

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Statement Necklace

Black Onyx Statement Necklace

Rosie, one of my lovely clients, commissioned me to create this necklace for her. It is completely handcrafted from sterling silver and black onyx, and the cabochons were cut specially for this commission by the lovely and talented Annaig from Annaig’s Gemstudio.

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Statement Necklace

I’m often wowed by the ideas and requests I receive, and this was one of those times.

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Statement Necklace

It’s a real statement piece, and I envisage it being worn by generations. It’s a privilege to do this kind of work for such wonderful people. Thank you, Rosie!

Moonstone and Sterling Silver Claw Set Pendant

Moonstone Claw Set Pendant

Tina came to me with this most gorgeous chunk of moonstone that her husband had brought her back from Chile, to find out if it was possible to turn it into a pendant. We decided the best option was to set it very simply so that the beautiful stone was the focus, and I designed this claw setting for it.

Moonstone and Sterling Silver Claw Set Pendant

The stone is gorgeously asymmetrical, both in shape and thickness!

Moonstone and Sterling Silver Claw Set Pendant

It could almost be worn either way I think.

Moonstone and Sterling Silver Claw Set Pendant

I love the way the moostone glows and glimmers – very magical!

Morenci Chrysocolla Pendant

You might recall this fabulous olive green titanium coated drusy ring I created – I made this divine pendant for the same lovely client.

Morenci Chrysocolla and Sterling Silver Pendant

I was able to make this pendant in the same style as an existing pendant that she loved.

Morenci Chrysocolla and Sterling Silver Pendant

This chrysocolla comes from Morenci, Arizona, in the USA. Isn’t it gorgeous!

Faceted Black Onyx Jewellery Set

Faceted Onyx Jewellery Set

Faceted Onyx Jewellery Set

 

One of my clients fell in love with faceted onyx (as have I!), and she asked if I could make her this matching ring and pendant set.

 

Faceted Onyx Jewellery Set

 

I was thrilled to! I love that she matched the set with a pair of coal black Czech glass earrings, too.

 

Faceted Onyx Jewellery Set

 

Love the whole set. Thanks, Ash!

Sterling Silver and Amazonite, Chrysoprase, Topaz, and Turquoise Infinity Pendant

Sterling Silver and Amazonite, Chrysoprase, Topaz, and Turquoise Infinity Pendant

My lovely friend Margaret is an artist, and I met her when she commissioned me to create this coherent wave pendant for her to wear to her art exhibition, Bliss.

Sterling Silver and Amazonite, Chrysoprase, Topaz, and Turquoise Infinity Pendant

The symbol is for infinity, of course, and also represents the number eight, which is a very lucky number in Asia and kept cropping up throughout Margaret’s painting journey!

Sterling Silver and Amazonite, Chrysoprase, Topaz, and Turquoise Infinity Pendant

We selected the turquoise, chrysoprase and amazonite as they were such delicious water colours, and I added the sparkling white topaz which reminds me of the sparkling water too.

Flirting with the Light (painting by Margaret Ingles)

Flirting with the Light (painting by Margaret Ingles)

Thanks, Margaret, your visions are lovely, and you’re a joy to work with!

Indigo Blue Cube Czech Glass and Sterling Silver Jewellery Set

Indigo Czech Glass and Sterling Silver Jewellery Set

Indigo Blue Cube Czech Glass and Sterling Silver Earrings

Toni fell in love with the indigo beads on these earrings, and after she had purchased herself a pair, she wondered if I could create her a matching bracelet and necklace.

Indigo Blue Cube Czech Glass and Sterling Silver Jewellery Set

I love getting custom requests, so I was happy to oblige!

Indigo Blue Cube Czech Glass and Sterling Silver Jewellery Set

Toni loves them, and has received lots of compliments. Happy all round!

Aquamarine and Sterling Silver Amophia Pendant

Aquamarine and Sterling Silver Amorphia Pendant

Theresa was the lucky winner of one of my second anniversary giveaway prizes, a custom made piece from my Amorphia collection.

Aquamarine and Sterling Silver Amophia Pendant

 

She loved the shape of one of my existing pieces, so I mirrored that for her!

 

Green Quartz and Malachite Amorphia Pendant

 

Theresa chose two lovely milky aquamarines from my gemstone collection, to match a ring that her husband had given her.

 

Aquamarine and Sterling Silver Amophia Pendant

 

I hope that Theresa likes wearing her piece as much as I liked making it! 🙂

** OOPS! My bad. If you’re surfing in from the August newsletter, and looking for the ‘Metal’ Feng Shui pendant, you can find that here. **