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It’s always useful to know what the birthstones (and birthstone colors!) are for the upcoming months. I’ve put together a few examples of birthstone color glass jewels that I have availble right now!
You’ll notice I didn’t even pick the showiest, largest stones. Those are wonderful of course – but sometimes you want small(er), less in-your-face jewelry. Or you want to combine glass jewels with other elements in your designs.
The thing is, this totally works. Use what you have, combine your elements with birthstone colors, and DIY some special custom jewelry for yourself and your friends!
The 18mm x 13mm (approx. 3/4″ x 1/2″) faceted glass octagon pendant featured in this necklace design idea is the color known as “light colorado topaz”. It’s a golden tan, fairly neutral, and super flattering. I’ve paired it with silver chain and small handwired beads in a complementary colors.
The small irregular beads I used here are genuine turquoise, but honestly any vivid beads would work here – the rich color is a striking complement to the golden tan pendant. But of course, you could use any colors with this design.
That’s what’s so fun about do it yourself jewelry. Take a look at the beads and stones on your worktable – I bet you could make some terrific combinations, interpreting this design in your own unique way. Make gifts for your friends – and for yourself!
The birthstone color for February is amethyst – so I wanted to show you guys some of the rich amethyst glass stones I’ve got in my shop right now. A couple of these are vintage resupply (yay!) but honestly, I’m pretty fond of each of these. And more that you’ll see if you peek in my shop!
Amethyst is actually one of the most popular colors anyway. What can I say, people love purple! And it’s not really limited to one season. Amethyst is gorgeous for romantic holidays like Valentine’s Day of course (hey, not everything needs to be red!) but it looks good all year round. Great with a tan. Great with winter pales, and winter whites, and blacks.
What can I say, amethyst looks good all the time!
I love to feature “birthstone colors”, especially if they are stones I have just found or resourced. And it’s always handy to remember what the birthstone gemstones, or gemstone colors, are for any particular month. How many times have we tried to think of an appropriate gift? A little extra info really helps!
Just for reference – or in case the print is too small on the pic. Birthstone colors listed here:
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond (Crystal)
May – Emerald
June – Alexandrite or Pearl
I know there have been times I’ve wanted to think of something special (without breaking the bank) when I bought (or made) a gift for my sister or my girlfriends. Knowing their birthdays – at least the birthday months – can help you choose a gift!
This necklace design is really a classic: faceted pear or teardrop shaped rhinestone jewels in two sizes, used as the focal and surrounding jewels for this pretty necklace.
** Like I said: a classic. Of course you’ll think of your own creative ways to adapt this idea. Use your own favorite color – or colors! Maybe the colors of your children’s birthstones. Or your favorite team!
I show the jewels here with a brass cable chain with just a hint of antique patina. The jewels are available in golden raw brass and silver plated brass as well (honestly I think the golden color is my favorite, but that’s a personal thing.)
Try your own idea(s) for focal design – I would love to see pics of your creations!
Okay, “bicolor earring jewels” is a fancier way of saying, mismatched earrings! I think a lot of us love this idea. In “do it yourself” design, especially with earrings that have one common element (in this case, the white vintage glass teardrops) it’s just fun to have the other jewels be different colors.
Don’t you think so? I used smaller, round jewels with rivoli faceting in sapphire blue and emerald green, for the “mismatched” jewels. Play with different colors here! Maybe your kids’ birthstone colors. Or your school colors! Or any colors you like best.
It’s a great way to tailor a pair of earrings specially to one outfit, or just use crazy colors because you like them. That’s what “do it yourself” jewelry is all about. Make what you want!
The flower shaped, silver plated brass filigree in this earring design idea is one of my favorite filigrees. Right now I have it in my shop in golden raw brass – note that I do have a few silver pairs left, so just drop me a note if you want to see some!
The combination of glass teardrops and flower shaped filigree really works here I think! And since most of my jewels are available in golden raw brass as well as silver plated settings, you can match whichever metal settings color you prefer. I do have a limited quantity of the filigrees in silver – just drop me a note if you’re interested! And I do have more on the way.
Delicate, feminine brass filigrees combined with glass gems – this is a winning combo that you can customize with your favorite colors and shapes. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money. This is a win!
A lot of times I play with random stones on my workbench – I don’t let myself choose from my whole stash – it has to be on the table already. This can get creative (okay sometimes). But this time I wanted to illustrate how deliberately using stones in the same color, gathered simply on a chain, can be a gorgeous piece of jewelry.
Of course this necklace design idea is just one example. Use your favorite colors. Use jewels in your own stash – or choose any style in the colors you love. Be random – or not. I think I’ll try that soon – a classic, simple idea like this, with different shapes and colors.
But in the meantime? I think this is a wonderful illustration that good design doesn’t have to cost a lot, or take a lot of work. Go for it!
This ‘do it yourself’ earring idea is a classic one. Combine faceted glass jewels with charms to make fun dangling earrings. I used two different colors of glass jewels here. One, to show that even similar shapes and colors do create a slightly different look. And actually, I love the idea of deliberately using two different color stones. Maybe the birthstone colors of you and your significant other. Or have several earrings in this style, and coordinate the colors you wear today, with the outfit you wear today!
Of course you can take this idea in your own creative direction (always!). Combine different colors, different charms and jewels, and maybe use more jewels. Play with this idea – you’ll come up with your own interpretation. And make them *yours*!
Okay, first off, correction – the floral centerpiece in this necklace design idea is not silver – not sterling, I mean. It’s silver color – plated over brass I think. It’s pretty – not precious. And that’s just fine. Good design doesn’t have to be priceless!
In this design, I’ve linked the floral centerpiece with faceted black diamond glass gems.
Truly, the idea here is to prompt all of us to play with the stones and charms we have, or can find easily that don’t cost a fortune. We’re not talking costly gemstones here. We’re talking fun, pretty trinkiets that you can wear every day, just because you like them.
You don’t need to spend a fortune. Find what you like, or make it. Have fun with it. That’s kinda that point, you know?
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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