Tag Archives: silver jewelry

Opal, Peridot and Sterling Silver Ring

Opal, Peridot and Sterling Silver Ring

My lovely client, Pauline, wanted a ring created for her daughter’s 40th birthday, with and opal and two peridots which are the birthstones of her daughter’s three children.

Opal, Peridot and Sterling Silver Ring

She asked if I could use an opal cabochon that she had. I was happy to do that!

Opal, Peridot and Sterling Silver Ring

I got in some tiny peridots, and we designed the ring together.

Opal, Peridot and Sterling Silver Ring

Pauline asked if I could make a simple silver bangle to pair with the ring. What a lovely gift!

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! 🙂

Agate and Turquoise Sterling Silver Cloud Brooch

Agate and Turquoise Sterling Silver Cloud Brooch

What a wonderful thing it is to have kindred spirits in this world. One of them for me is a very dear bestie who I have been friends with since first grade.

Agate and Turquoise Sterling Silver Cloud Brooch

This year, I felt she needed to soar among the clouds – so when I came across this cleverly constructed agate and turquoise doublet cabochon, it was just the thing!

Agate and Turquoise Sterling Silver Cloud Brooch

I hadn’t made a brooch before, so this is a prototype really – I’m hopeful that it will withstand the test of time!

Supernova Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Supernova Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Supernova Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

My gorgeous friend Marg, who is an artist (you can view her beautiful work here on her website), commissioned me to create this ring for one of her daughters.

Supernova Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Marg’s daughter chose this divine drusy agate cabochon, as it reminded her of a supernova. As soon as Marg told me I could see how very apt this imagery is!

Supernova Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

It is always a joy to work with a fellow artist who appreciates not just my work, but the underlying complexities of being a creative type. Thanks as always, dear Marg!

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

One of the benefits of being part of organising a school reunion is that along the way, you get back in touch with some lovely people that you haven’t seen since your high school days.

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

I was thrilled to be commissioned to create this lapis lazuli ring for one of these gorgeous friends (there is a love story attached to this friend and the reunion, but that is a tale for another day!)

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

Could there be much better than creating a thing of beauty for a person with a beautiful heart?

 

Sterling Silver Hair Stick

Flashback – Sterling Silver Hair Stick

With help from one of my goldsmithing teachers, I created this hair stick not long after I started at the Goldsmith’s school.

Sterling Silver Hair Stick

It has become my favourite piece to use to represent The Silver Forge brand – in part because of the simplicity of the plain silver, and in part because of the spiral, which reflects in my logo. I am drawn in a huge way to spirals. Fibonacci sequence = fabulous – but instead of the golden ratio, I’m calling it the silver ratio!

Sterling Silver Hair Stick

I  based the design on a similar hairstick that I found whilst touring in China, so it has special meaning to me. I love my hair stick!

 

Chrysoprase and Sterling Silver Ring and Earring Set

Chrysoprase and Sterling Silver Ring and Earrings Set

Chrysoprase and Sterling Silver Ring and Earring Set

A lovely client, for whom I had previously made this ring, saw these raw ruby pieces that I created and was taken with the idea of a matching set. She asked me if I could source her some special stones.

Chrysoprase and Sterling Silver Ring and Earring Set

After a bit of discussion about what colourway she would like, I presented Bek with a few different options – and she fell in love instantly with these totally divine chrysoprase cabochons. So did I, so I was really pleased when she chose them!

Chrysoprase and Sterling Silver Ring and Earring Set

I love this set, and it was a joy to create. Let me know if you’d like your own – I’m always happy to go on a rock shopping spree!!

Pearl and Reticulated Sterling Silver Ring

Flashback – Pearl and Sterling Silver Ring

On a trip through China with my family in 2008, as part of a tour of Shanghai we visted the Jin Mao Tower (at the time the sixth tallest building in the world). Our tower entry tickets rather bizarrely entitled us to a free pearl each at the top of the tower (don’t ask, I still don’t know!), so we wandered past many vendors of tourist tat, and found a counter where a girl whisked out some big flat oysters, popped them open with a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, and offered us a choice of pearls!

Pearl and Reticulated Sterling Silver Ring

We each chose one, and I held onto them for some time, then decided to set them in a ring so that I could enjoy them.

The top of the ring is reticulated – a method that involves heating a sheet of silver to almost melting point, so the surface becomes textured. Fun stuff!

Pearl and Reticulated Sterling Silver Ring

As another addition to my family was on the way at the time, my very kind teacher Sue, gave me a little seed pearl to set in the top of the ring along with the other three. I treasure this ring, and still wear it today!

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!

Grey Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Grey Drusy Agate Ring

Grey Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

I love all the cabochons I source, but once in a while I come across a cabochon that I just can’t part with. This grey drusy agate is one of those.

Grey Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

I love this ring, and I’ve been wearing it nearly every day!

Grey Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

If you’d like a custom made gemstone ring of your own, check out my gemstone collection, and let me know which one you love the most!