Shades of Gray

Walking my dogs on the beach late this afternoon, the sun had gone and it was overcast and windy. I couldn't help noticing, looking out toward Kapiti Island, that the sea, island, sky and clouds were almost merging into each other. Rather than the normal colours you would see on a bright clear day instead all were in different shades of gray. I just had therefore, to capture the moment.

Friday Favourites

Paisley Butterfly Sculpture

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Lunar Skies Jewelry

Lemon Chrysoprase Earrings

When it comes to wire wrapping cabochons I much prefer using them to make pendants rather than earrings - and there is a very good reason. Trying to wrap two cabochons identically so that the wirework matches exactly for each stone is practically impossible. It doesn't seem to matter how well you measure, mark and plan the wire, there will just about always be minor differences.

My latest earrings pictured above, my Lemon Chrysoprase and Sterling Silver Earrings, are no exception. Even looking at the picture above I am wondering how I missed the slight kink of the wires on one earring that is not on the other. Slight tweaks with the pliers needed tonight I think.Of course, at the end of the day that is the beauty of handmade items as opposed to machine made items.

Anyway, the stones used in these earrings are just beautiful and these aren't the first pair of earrings I have made using these stones. I believe the last pair were snapped up pretty quickly. The chrysoprase is a lovely pale lemon colour and is so smooth to the touch. The sterling silver wire used to wrap the stones has then been twisted to form the sweeps across the top of the stone.

So there you have it, my slightly imperfect pair of Lemon Chrysoprase Earrings.

A to Z of Gemstones - L is for Labradorite

Labradorite is a gemstone that was named after Labrador in Canada, where it was found on the Isle of Paul, near Nain in 1770. Labradorite is a feldspar mineral of the plagioclase series which shows adularescence (a white or bluish light seen when turned). This optical effect is so unique to labradorite that it has been termed "labradorescence". It is the result of diffraction of light in the layers of rock. Labradorite has become a popular gemstone because of this unique iridescent play of color that many specimens exhibit.

Labradorite is found in Canada (Labrador, Newfoundland), Australia, Madagascar, Mexico, Norway, Russia and the USA.

According to an Eskimo legend, the Northern Lights are captured in the minerals on the coast of Labrador. This is not surprising considering the magical, iridescent colour of labradorite. Labradorite is thought to be a magical stone that possesses powerful protective properties and helps its wearer to find their true path in life.

 Labradorite and Sterling Silver Necklace

Above is a picture of a necklace that  I currently have available made using Labradorite beads. Below are some more example of Labradorite jewellery from members of the Jewelry on Etsy team.

 Labradorite Pendant Necklace by Sending Love Gallery

 Hand Cut Labradorite and Sterling Silver Ring by Donna's Artisan Designs

Labradorite Earrings by Eleven 13 

 Labradorite Sterling Pendant Necklace by The Silver Bear

Mixed Metals

 Gold and Silver Hearts Wired Bangle

One traditional that has been well and truly broken in recent years is the mixing of metals. I can remember being told that you wear either your gold jewellery or your silver jewellery but you don't wear both together.

Zig Zag Gold and Silver Chainmaille Bracelet

This seemed to be especially true with rings, gold or silver but not both. In fact it was almost seen as a bit declasse to wear two different metals at the same time.

Gold and Silver Striped Viking Weave Bangle (currently in an Art Gallery)

Well, as I said at the beginning, that "tradition" is now well and truly broken. Mixing metals has now become popular, and as you can see from my pieces listed here, metals can now be found mixed together in the same piece of jewellery.

Sterling Silver and 14k Gold Euro 4in1 Chainmaille Bracelet

So what metals do you like mixing together?

New Zealand Made

Wallhanging Kiwiana Pohutukawa Handpainted Silk

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Kiwi Silks

Friday Favourites

Metal Wall Art - Sunburst

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Frivolous Tendencies