Holiday Sale in my Etsy Shop!

Starting now, I'm offering 15% off your entire order from my etsy shop.  Simply enter the code:

NOV2010DISCOUNT

in the brand new Coupon Code field upon checkout and the discount will be applied automatically.  How cool is this new feature?!?

This offer is valid through end of day Monday, November 29.  HAPPY SHOPPING!

Here's a new pair of earrings from my etsy shop:

These earrings feature robin's egg blue briolettes of chalcedony and small apatite rondelles. 

An Eclectic Color Combination

I've been staring at these bright aqua blue apatite briolettes for a couple of months now.  They look great all by themselves, but what if I want to combine them with another stone?  Their color is so overpowering!  I tried a bunch of different stones -- garnets - too dark, peridot - not bad, andalusite - blah, and on and on.

Finally, I tried the tanzanite.  Perfection!  I thought the apatite would overshadow the periwinkle color of the tanzanite, but it didn't.  Here are the results.

Clicking on the photo will take you directly to the listing in my etsy shop.

New Amazonite Necklace

This necklace features a style I've done several times over the past two years.  I start with a good sized briolette.  I secure the top with sterling silver wire and begin stacking gems and pearls on top.  It's a fun design to execute.

This particular piece starts with an amazonite briolette.  I topped it with white keshi pearls,turquoise rounds, apatite rounds and Peruvian opal rondelles.  I like this style best when hanging from sterling snake chain.

Click on the photo to go directly to the listing in my etsy shop.

Rutilated Quartz . Mixed Gemstones . Necklace

I listed a brand new and quite delicious necklace in my etsy shop recently. I'd like to share it with you here. You've seen the gorgeous rutilated quartz briolettes featured in these earrings and in this necklace. I do believe I have made all of the "pairs" I'm going to get from this particular strand of briolettes, so the remainder will become necklaces -- no more earrings. This makes me a little sad.

Sad, that is, until, I created this necklace. I topped the briolette with a collection of rondelles in a rainbow of colors. I gathered some citrine, pink tourmaline, aqua blue apatite, amethyst and bright green chrysoprase.

Now I'm happy.

This necklace is for sale in my etsy shop. Click on the photo to go directly to the listing.

Tropical Waters

I've had these London Blue Topaz teardrop beads in my stash for about 2 years. They were a real splurge for me and I've been using them very sparingly. The color and cut are both gorgeous.

For these earrings, I topped them with a tight cluster of blue apatite, greenish-blue apatite and golden green tourmaline. The entire collection is hanging from sterling silver leverback earwires.

This color combination reminds me of the tropics and the wonderful colors that can be seen while snorkeling or diving.

They are for sale in my etsy shop. Click on the photo to go directly to the listing.

London Blue Topaz

As usual, my photography does not do justice to the beauty of these stones. The teardrops are London Blue Topaz of the clearest aqua blue with a multitude of facets to ensure sparkle from every direction.

You may have noticed that I'm very into clusters and this pair sports it's very own special cluster. Atop the teardrops are rondelles of apatite in dark aqua, light aqua and a greenish color. I've also added some golden green tourmaline rondelles.

This color palette always reminds me of the reefs of the Caribbean, where part of my heart will remain forever. Sigh.

Click on the photo to go directly to this listing in my etsy shop.

Clusters!

I recently created a series of pendants using some of my larger beads. Finding new ways to use these larger components has been a challenge for me. Here are the latest creations in this voyage of discovery.

I love the minty blue-green of amazonite. This large bead is top-drilled and is softly faceted. The cluster above is made up of freshwater pearls, Peruvian opals, apatite rounds and white cupped keshi pearls.
The deep pink stone is a sapphire --- yes, they come in many colors besides blue. I have topped it with golden freshwater pearls, garnets, smooth ruby rondelles and citrine rondelles. The red and gold color combination has a regal feel.