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......

Jewellery Maker - #Blog2Win

My Top 5 Favourite JM Gemstone Strands

While browsing the Jewellery Maker Facebook page I came across this #Blog2Win competition, and just in time!  There was one problem though,  I could only pick my top 5 favourite JM gemstone strands and at the time I was choosing there were over 150 pages with 20 gemstone strands on each page!!  So, there was a long list, followed by a short list followed by my top 3 and then I was stuck.  I couldn't choose another two!! There are just so many stunning gemstone strands on the JM website!!  Finally after a number of hours I had my top 5, and here they are. 

Number 1 - 35cts Lemon Quartz Graduated Concave Cut Pears

Lemon Quartz JM Webpage

Approx from 18x13mm to 21x15mm
3 pieces

Has anyone seen the film 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'?  For those who haven't it stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, and towards the end of the film they attend a very lavish and posh party held by a diamond company called DeLauer.  The guests at the party get to loan beautiful jewellery for the event. Upon entering the party, Kate's character, Andie, is given a jaw dropping diamond necklace called Isadora, to wear.  The moment I saw this strand I was reminded of Isadora and fell in love with the idea of making myself a similar necklace.  I'd have no idea what I would wear it with or where I would wear it.  Maybe I'd just prance around my bedroom in a posh frock pretending I'm in the movies!

Number 2 - 35cts Green Amethyst Graduated Concave Cut Drops

Green Amethyst JM Webpage

Each stone is approximately from 13 to 19mm

3 pieces

I know, I know, they're very similar to the ones above but how could I leave them out of this list.  Look at the sparkle!  Imagine the beautiful necklaces you could make with them!  I think any woman would feel like royalty wearing a necklace boasting one of these beauties.  The green is so subdue they almost look like big glistening diamonds.

Number 3 - 30cts London Blue Topaz Graduated Faceted Pairs

London Blue Topaz JM Webpage

Each stone is approximately from 5x3 to 9x6mm

16cm strand

Topaz, my birthstone, just had to be on my list so I am so glad I found these beauties. The colour is amazing.  I imagine turning these in to beautiful drop earrings.  It would be divine if I could somehow frame them in diamonds (and afford diamonds in the first place)!

These were also my boyfriend's favourites.  (Yes, I did subject him to hours of looking at pictures of gemstones and listening to me yammering on about them)!

Number 4 - 50cts Green Amethyst Graduated Concave Pears

Green Amethyst Pears JM Webpage

Each stone is approximately from 18x9 to 16x12mm

16cm strand

Again, it was the diamond appeal that drew me to these.  Any hint of green that may be there is so faint they look almost clear.  I only wish the hole was centre drilled so that I could make a wire wrapped ring with one of these.  I'm sure it's doable the way they are but I think it's beyond my skill.  (Must keep practicing).

Number 5 - 35cts Multi-Colour Beryl Graduated Faceted Drops

Multi-Colour Beryl JM Webpage

Each stone is approximately 10x6 to 11x7mm

21cm strand

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And finally, I found these.  I actually missed these the first time around, maybe they were added after my first search, who knows.  I'm glad I stumbled across them, although I'm torn between how I would use them.   They look so beautiful strung together on this strand that I would be tempted just to restring it with maybe only one spacer between each gem and wear it as a necklace. The other option, of course, would be to pair the gems up and make beautiful drop earrings.  Might just have to buy two strands!!

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The best thing about all these strands though is that every bit can be used in jewellery making, not just the beads.  I've seen (albeit, very talented) designers on JM use the tassels in necklaces and earrings, the spacers used to set the beads apart could be used as spacers in your own pieces, even the string can be recycled to make your own necklaces and bracelets.  Nothing goes to waste, which I think is something every crafter can appreciate.

The strangest thing about all these strands is that they all consist of drops roughly the same shape.  Now this in itself is not strange, but the fact that I usually avoid this type of bead when purchasing is.  I always go for the safe option of a nice round bead.  To work with, I prefer a round bead as I feel they lend themselves easily to a variety of different styles and they are so easy to work with.  Drops, on the other hand, have a more sophisticated (and expensive) look and deserve to be made into stunning eye catching jewellery to be worn at fancy events.  I'm sure I'm capable of making this type of jewellery, but the gems I have similar to these have been in my stash forever.  I can never figure out what exactly I want to do with them.  I either get an overload of ideas or I'm stumped. You wouldn't believe how many strands from the gems of distinction range I have that I haven't touched.  They're still in their plastic wrappers, tassels attached!!  When I get home I think I'll do a series of blog posts on them and document their transformation from gems of distinction strands into (hopefully) beautiful pieces of jewellery (finally)!