Treasure Trove Challenge

I recently wrote a blog for a Jewellery Maker competition, where I confessed that I had many strands in my collection that were completely unused and still in their packets.  I promised that I would dig them out, create something with them and blog about it.  So, here's my introduction blog where I show you all the strands.  After this I'm going to put the names in a hat, pull one out and make a piece of jewellery.  I'm kinda setting myself my own 'Designer Challenge', as they do on JM.

So here we go.....18 strands of gemstones all purchased from Jewellery Maker.

(Apologies for the photos.  I really need to work on my photography skills).

Black Onyx Cubes

 

Gemstone:  Onyx

Shape: Cubes

Origin:  India

Size:  7 x 7 mm

Carat Weight:  140cts

I'm hoping these are not the first out of the hat as I am completely stumped with what to do with them.  Where they've put the drill hole is so unusual that I'm struggling to think of a design that would do justice to the stone.  If anyone has any ideas feel free to comment below.

Red Agate Hearts

Gemstone:  Agate

Shape: Hearts

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  6 x 6 mm

Carat Weight:  55cts

Green Magnesite

Gemstone:  Magnesite

Shape: Round

Origin:  China

Size:  8 x 8 mm

Carat Weight:  185cts

These could easily be mistaken for turquoise.  In fact, I thought they were turquoise until I took a look at the authenticity certificate.  So although it says green on the certificate I'm more inclined to call them blue.

Pyrite Rounds

Gemstone:  Pyrite

Shape: Round

Origin:  China

Size:  12 mm

Carat Weight:  650cts

Abalone Squares

Gemstone:  Abalone

Shape: Square

Origin:  China

Size:  8 x 8 mm

Carat Weight:  N/A

Multi-Colour Quartz 

Gemstone:  Quartz

Shape:  Oval

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  12 x 16 mm

Carat Weight:  220cts

Multi-Colour Agate

 

Gemstone:  Agate

Shape: Oval

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  12 x 20 mm

Carat Weight:  340cts

Multi-Colour Quartzite

 

Gemstone:  Quartzite

Shape:  Faceted Round

Origin: China

Size:  8 x 8 mm

Carat Weight:  150cts

Black Faceted Obsidian

 

Gemstone:  Obsidian

Shape: Round

Origin: Mexico

Size:  14 x 14 mm

Carat Weight:  410cts

 Black Obsidian

Gemstone:  Obsidian

Shape: Round

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  10 x 10 mm

Carat Weight:  220cts

Fancy Jasper

Gemstone:  Fancy Jasper

Shape: Oval

Origin: India

Size:  19 x 29 mm

Carat Weight:  330cts

Red Tigers Eye

Gemstone:  Tigers Eye

Shape:  Round

Origin: Africa

Size:  10 x 10 mm

Carat Weight:  240cts

Rose Quartz

Gemstone:  Rose Quartz

Shape: Oval

Origin:  China

Size:  10 x 14 mm

Carat Weight:  150cts

Blue Quartzite

Gemstone:  Quartzite

Shape: Marquise

Origin:  China

Size:  9 x 18 mm

Carat Weight:  50cts

Faceted Pyrite

Gemstone:  Pyrite

Shape: Round Flat

Origin: China

Size:  10 mm

Carat Weight:  220cts

Lapis Lazuli

Gemstone:  Lapis Lazuli

Shape:  Round

Origin:  Unknown

Size:  10 mm

Carat Weight:  280cts

Red Shell

Gemstone:  Red Shell

Shape: Round Flat

Origin:  China

Size:  29 mm

Carat Weight:  N/A

Black Agate Nuggets

Gemstone:  Agate

Shape: Nugget

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  Varying

Carat Weight:  250cts

Right, now I'm off to put the names in a hat, draw one out and start creating some jewellery.  

Watch this space......

Valentine's Day Collection

As promised here's the blog all about my new pieces made with gemstones.  As I had purchased quite a lot of black stones I decided to team them with red and start my Valentine's collection.  It only has 2 pieces in it at the moment but the ideas are coming thick and fast so keep your eyes peeled.

The first Valentine's item I created is this beautiful Heart Pendant Necklace.

Heart Pendant Necklace

This was made with red plated copper coiled using a coiling gizmo, then moulded into the shape of a love heart.  I then thread fireline through black organza ribbon and as I reached the pendant I added 5 geniune agate beads either side.  The picture above doesn't do the beads justice.  They are black faceted rounds and shimmer as the necklace moves.

The second piece I completed is the unusual ladder weave necklace.

Ladder weave necklace

The beads are beautiful faceted white agate and faceted black agate gemstones.  I have also used red beading thread and small round glass pearls.

Hopefully inspiration keeps coming thick and fast and soon you'll see another Valentine's collection blog appear.  Fingers crossed for me.