Grey Keshi Pearl & Vintage Yemeni Silver Necklace (SOLD)

The wonderful silver drops in the middle of this necklace are from Yemen, and have the most scrumptious patina. The three strands of pearls below are keshi pearls. These are created by generous oysters, who, while also creating cultured pearls, decide to make a few of their own. They are known for their irregular shapes, and superior luster. Tiny faceted hematites and 3 carats of faceted aquamarine are in the mix. Above are smaller blue-grey pearls in a slightly darker shade, and Balinese silver accents are used throughout. Very pretty, and somehow classic in an unconventional way. Please note that this long necklace is wrapped in the photo to show more detail. Matching earrings are available and shown below. 28.75" long. (N569, 7/19) $425

Faceted Tourmaline & Balinese Silver Necklace

I've always liked to say that Mother Nature was in a good mood when she decided to make tourmaline (and with these 51 carats, she was especially happy). These faceted gems have a juicy clarity, and such lovely color that you'll be wondering what flavor they are. ;-) Balinese silver accents divide the colors, and the variations within each color are arranged in a subtle graduation. No further embellishment required (but I must say that the toggle clasp is very pretty, too). Just under 17" long. (#N520) $295

Pyrite Pendant with Apatite and Balinese Silver - NEW & SOLD

This pyrite piece was so interesting, I knew it could "carry" a necklace all on it's own, but who could resist adding just a touch of color? The 10-carat faceted apatite stone above complements it so perfectly, with its captivating mix of inclusions and transparency. All that was left was to add hand-crafted Balinese silver for depth and texture, and tiny hematite and pyrite accents for an added touch of sparkle... and a cute charm. :-) The toggle clasp with the charm can be worn at the back, or to the side in front. The chain is oxidized sterling silver. The necklace portion is 23.75" and the pendant is 3.75" long. (#N537, 11/18) $175

Prehnite Pendant with Thai Silver and Black Chalcedony - SOLD

The black tourmaline crystal inclusions were so pronounced in this piece of prehnite that pairing it with black chalcedony seemed the clear choice. Curiously, the back of this stone has almost no black at all, making this kind of like two necklaces in one. The triangular bead above is Thai silver, and Balinese silver and faceted hematite accents are used throughout. The toggle clasp with the charm can be worn at the back, or to the side in front. The chain is oxidized sterling silver. The necklace portion is 20.5" and the pendant portion is 4.38" long. (#N541, 3/19 R.T.) $195

Pyrite 19.5" Necklace - NEW

Like hematite, pyrite has a very high iron content. It gives it a substantial weight, but also a very compelling metallic reflection. These pieces look like antique mirrors, and are quite striking on. The simplicity of spacing the larger pyrite beads with hematite beads really lets the variations of the pyrite slabs shine. The hematite saucers are slightly larger in diameter than the pyrite beads are in depth, so that the necklace can more readily move with you. Tiny faceted hematite beads between the saucers and the slabs give subtle reflections that echo the reflections of the larger beads. There is a hematite charm by the Balinese silver toggle clasp. Matching earrings are available as an option, and shown with the photographs. 19.5" long. (#N530, 10/17) $225

Opal Rainbow 27" Necklace with Thai Silver - SPECIAL ORDER

If you love talking about jewelry as much as I do, this necklace will DEFINITELY give you your chance. Each one of these colored gems is OPAL. Isn't that great? Most people know opals as having a spectrum of internal reflections, but there is a whole rainbow of colored opals without "play of color" called "common opals." I think you'll find, however, that you're less likely to see these than their better-known cousins. You'll be a gemological educator in no time. Originally, I had intended to put an amulet with these 205 carats of opal, but the simplicity of the Thai silver beads really lets the colors of the opals be the star. Tiny hematite beads divide the colors, and a Balinese silver toggle clasp with an opal charm completes the piece. Although this exact necklace has sold, a special order for a similar piece may be possible. 27.5" long. (#N438, 10/1) $350

Smokey Quartz & Black Spinel Necklace - SOLD

(Though this exact necklace has sold, a special order for a similar piece may be possible.) Spinel is highly reflective (comparable to sapphires), and looks very much like black diamonds. Even the smallest of stones can have a big impact. This necklace has a mix of sparkly rectangular-cut smokey quartz (23 carats), hematite (5 carats), and black spinel (12 carats). These neutral colored gemstones make this a great go-with-anything piece. It also layers quite nicely with the long Smokey Quartz & Sterling Silver Chain Necklace below. I can see this necklace inside a collar, and the longer one on the outside - spectacular! There is a pretty smokey quartz charm by the toggle clasp so that you'll be radiant from every angle, and Balinese silver accents are used throughout. Matching earrings are available below, and on page 2 of the Earrings section. 17" long. (#N413, 3/17) $175

Turquoise & Thai Silver Necklace - SPECIAL ORDER

Sometimes I say that wearing turquoise is kind of like cheating. It looks great on everyone! This necklace is so flattering on. The design is a textural blend of 91 carats of turquoise, hematite beads, Balinese silver, and of course, those wonderful Thai silver beads. The necklace is 17.25" long, and has a pretty floral toggle clasp. Although this exact necklace has sold, there is a possibility that a similar piece may be designed. (#N342, 11/19) $265

"Surin Twilight" Natural Lapis & Thai Silver 42" Necklace - SOLD

This piece almost deserves a poem written about it, because it has so much history. Many people don't think of jewelry-making as an art of recycling, but because the materials used to make jewelry are beautiful, durable, and valuable; it is exactly the case. The 103 carats of wonderful hand-cut Afghani lapis lazuli stones were most recently part of another necklace (photo below). I decided to pair the gemstones with Thai silver, hematite, and Balinese silver accents into a "globally inspired" necklace that can be worn long or doubled (with the included silver "S" hook). I called this piece "Surin Twilight," because Surin Province is where the Thai silver beads were made, and the natural lapis gemstones have the intense blue color that the sky can have at twilight. The lapis beads are a bit primitive -- not having a high polish or exactly consistent sizes. This I love because it shows that they were cut by hand, and it may also make the piece feel a little bit more like an everyday pleasure. 42" long. Though this exact piece has sold, a special order for a similar piece may be possible. (#N289, 7/11) $450

Natural Mother-of-Pearl "Chrysalis" Necklace - SPECIAL ORDER

There are lots of close-up shots of the beads in this necklace, because each one is just amazing. These natural mother-of-pearl beads are unbleached, there is more of a contrast between the butterscotch beiges and creamy whites. There are flashes of lustrous sheen, and a surprise... tiny little streaks of purplish red! I saw those, and was done. It was only a question then of how to best showcase these little marvels. Actually, it's quite difficult to find mother-of-pearl beads this large (12mm). It appears that the only place to find sufficient material is at the hinge of the shell, so there are the most fantastic swirl patterns. They really do look as if a butterfly could emerge out of each one. Tiny purplish garnets between each bead accent the red streaks, and also prevent the beads from abrading each other. Pure silver Thai beads echo the stripes of the shell beads, and have a chrysalis shape as well. There is a mother-of-pearl charm by the sterling swirl toggle clasp. Matching earrings are available below, and on page 2 of the Earrings section. 21.5" long. (N283, 11/14) $235

Sterling Leaf Pendant - SPECIAL ORDER

This hand-wrought sterling leaf has such a pleasing shape that the rest of the necklace was kept very simple. It has a faceted peridot bead above with Balinese silver accents, a slender sterling chain and Thai hook clasp. 18" necklace portion. 3" pendant portion. Although this exact necklace has sold, a special order is possible. (#N271, 12/14) $175

Old Tribal Silver Eleven Sphere Necklace - SOLD

I was lucky enough to acquire these beautiful old tribal silver necklace elements from India out of a private collection here in the U.S. The pieces had been in storage for many years, and silver of this quality and age is very difficult to find these days. There has been a trend towards "tough pearls," so I couldn't resist mixing in some white freshwater pearls and dark metallic hematite. I have two more necklaces on the next page with pearls and spikes -- definitely NOT your grandmother's pearls. The silver content of these spheres is quite high, and they took a very nice polish. There is a large pearl charm by the toggle clasp, and Balinese silver accents are used throughout. Matching earrings are available below, and on page 2 of the Earrings section. 18" long. Though this exact piece has sold, I do have some smaller groupings of these same tribal silver elements, so a smaller version may be able to be made. (#N219, 1/2) $385