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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?
I’ve used this necklace design in the past – but I don’t think I ever described what I think is a very important design element. The pendant is removeable!
imagine using other colors or shapes, just for example…
So. With this particular pendant, you have a red-and-silver necklace, featuring an oval pendant on multiple layers of chain. But you could also remove the pendant, and have a silver multi-chain necklace that’ll go with half the outfits in your closet.
The extra cool idea is that you could buy – or create – other pendants to slip on the chain. Presto – multiple necklaces!
Now that’s a win 😉
I put these earrings together using components I had on my worktable – and I’m really loving them! The shapes are similar – but that third glass jewel takes it to another level with a slightly larger size. And the colors are kind of what this is all about 😉
Of course this picture just illustrates an idea. Find the colors you like best, or personalize them using colors your customer requests – either way, you’ll make the design your own!
I love earrings with chain as an added element. It’s a lightweight, and frankly easy, way to add movement and texture to your earring design. It’s easy to match the settings color on your jewels – if you want to 🙂
The chain shown here is stainless steel, not sterling silver – it won’t tarnish and it’s strong. It looks great with the crystal diamond shape gems.
Or use another color – of glass jewels, or chain, or both. Take this design as a starting point and make it your own!
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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