Tag Archives: pendant

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!

ArtSound Kyanite Pendant and Earrings Set

Kyanite Earrings and Pendant Set

I was so pleased when my dear friend Judy asked if I could create another matching pendant and earrings set for her to donate to the ArtSound FM Radiothon fundraiser this year. (Last year I created this set).

ArtSound Kyanite Pendant and Earrings Set

I drew up a few quick ideas, incorporating the ArtSound logo, and Judy chose the one she wanted. She  chose kyanite cabochons from my gemstone collection, which I think looks just lovely!

ArtSound Kyanite Pendant and Earrings Set

Thank you, Judy, what a pleasure to create for you!

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!

smithing – creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

It’s always a joy to see other people’s creative techniques. I have written before here and here about the process of silversmithing, and I thought you might like another little insight into this world.

Emerald Green Drusy Agate Oval Cabochon

First, the drusy gemstone (from my never-ending collection!) and a rough design sketch. I’ve already created the bezel (the metal that wraps around the stone) in this picture, bending a straight strip of metal (like the one pictured) around the stone.

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

The next step is preparing the backing plate. He’s some sawing and filing in action.

After filing, comes emerying.

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

And laying out the component parts to see how it will look. The balls of silver are made by heating some little pieces of silver until they melt – the molten silver naturally gathers up into a sphere. It’s fun stuff!

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

I emery the back of the bezel flat, so that the join between the two pieces of metal will be exact and the solder will flow correctly.

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

Then it’s time for a bit of heat.

I love how from this dirty blackened thing comes an object of beauty!

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

Into a solution of sulphuric acid to remove all the oxidization etc.

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

While the piece is pickling, I create the bail (the part from which the pendant will hang), and a little plate stamped with my maker’s mark and ‘925’ to show the piece is made from sterling silver.

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

Those are soldered onto the piece, then it’s back in the pickle and after that, a rinse off.

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

After a good clean-up, with lots of emerying down to a fine grade, I mount the piece on a wax dop so that i can set the stone.

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

My engraving ball comes in super-handy here!

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

Some time with my chasing hammer, and the stone is set.

smithing - creation of a gemstone and sterling silver pendant

And finally, the finished piece!

Bright Green Drusy Agate and Granulation Sterling Silver Pendant

If you like this pendant, you can see more of it here in my shop.

Reticulated Sterling Silver Pendant

Flashback – Reticulated Pendant

Reticulation is a texturing which occurs when silver is heated almost to melting point. The surface of the silver shimmers and moves. It’s a fine balance between a molten surface and an unrecognisable lump! The process is very satisfying when you get it right. I created this pendant (and also the base of this ring) at the school I attended, starting with a flat straight rectangle of silver. I added the silver spheres and some stippling, with a chenier bail, et voila! 🙂

Reticulated Sterling Silver Pendant

Simple yet effective!

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver 'Schnoerkel' Pendant

Flashback – Onyx ‘Schnoerkel’ Pendant

I made this piece when I was studying at the Goldsmith’s School under the supervision of my teachers. I found this black onyx cabochon at the annual Gem Show here in Brisbane, and designed this pendant to suit it.

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver 'Schnoerkel' Pendant

The spirally curlicues are known as ‘shnoerkels’ (having two German teachers had its interesting and educational side!) and the piece was set in dental plaster to solder.

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver 'Schnoerkel' Pendant As I was expecting any minute at the time, my kind teacher Sue was worried that I wouldn’t get back to class to do it, so she set the stone for me! 🙂

Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

Small Sterling Silver Cross

Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

I previously created this cross for a lovely customer to give her partner.

Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

As my client’s partner is a personal trainer, the dimensions my client requested turned out to be a little large for everyday wear – so she asked if I could construct a second cross, leaving the first one for special occasions.

Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

I enjoyed revisiting this process – thanks, Bella!

Jade and Sterling Silver Pendant

Flashback – Jade Pendant

Jade and Sterling Silver Pendant

Some years ago, my gorgeous husband came home from a work trip to Hong Kong with this beautiful piece of jade for me. Yes, I love him!

Jade and Sterling Silver Pendant

I created an elaborate design for the stone, and built that during my goldsmithing classes. Part of the component creation included making some chenier – which is hollow tubing, to go through the middle of the jade, which was cut in a donut shape. That was fun!

Jade and Sterling Silver Pendant

At the end of the day decided I didn’t like what I had made, so removed a good portion of the framework and left a simpler way to wear the jade. Sometimes, you have to modify your original idea to make the piece work!