jewelry supplies « Vintage Glass Jewels

Ruby red glass stones – the birthstone color for July

Of course red is a fabulous color for jewelry anyway – we know that. It’s flattering to most skin tones, it can be casual or dressy, it’s the main color of at least two holidays, and it’s just fun to wear! And…ruby red is the birthstone color for July. So I thought I’d highlight a few of the ruby red glass jewels available in my shop right now.

So if you need a birthday gift for a bestie born in July, you might find some ideas here. Or if you want something to match the red shirt you just bought. Or if you want to subtly point out a few things that would be perfect in your eyes and somebody wants to buy *you* a gift… you get the idea. Get what works for you!

New Glass Jewels – Light Khaki Tan Coordinating Pears and Squares

I love this color! These glass gems are new in my shop and they’re a great neutral. A bit deeper than beige – close to light tan, or khaki tan.

These pear or teardrop shaped glass stones are great for earrings or pendants – and since they are also available in two-ring connector settings, they’re also terrific glass links. Pair them with the coordinated sweet 8x8mm square gems as shown, or add your stashed beads or stones. You’ll figure out the design that works best for you – that’s the beauty of DIY jewelry!

More Mother’s Day Gift Ideas!

Yes, this is another idea for Mother’s Day gifts. It’s an easy design idea, doesn’t cost a lot of money, and you can choose your mom’s favorite color 🙂

Think about it for a minute – you can make your mom a pair of earrings, choosing the color she loves, hand-set in prong settings in the metal “color” she wears most – golden brass or silver (or antiqued brass). So you really are designing these earrings *for her*.

And the earrings are simple to make – you can make them as complex as you want to suit your creative style, but pretty teardrops on earwires are also gorgeous! Whichever style idea suits you best, this is a win 🙂

And you’ll make your mom super happy!

Mother’s Day Gifts – DIY Earring Design Ideas

Mother’s Day is coming up in a few weeks (it’s on May 12, 2024, in case you didn’t have the date already). So yay, this gift idea is *not* last minute!

A gift of jewelry is always welcome – and when it’s for your mom, a gift that *you made yourself* is extra special. That’s why I posted these earring design ideas. The components don’t cost a lot, and you can pick and choose the glass jewels and beads that speak to your sense of design.

So these really are just ideas to percolate. Create your own designs, and make a very special pair of earrings for your mom. She will love them!

Diamonds – the birthstone for April

Diamonds are the birthstone for April. Now if you’re in the market for real diamonds, more power to you and I wish you the joy of shopping! But if you like the sparkle and clarity of diamonds – on a little lower budget (okay a MUCH lower budget) I think you’ll like crystal or glass diamonds.

Take a peek at some of the crystal “diamond” stones available in my shop right now:

Of course this pic only shows a few of the faceted crystal gems I have available, but I specially wanted to show these because you can customize them. The large crystal in each setting is the diamond-like “clear crystal”. The small round stones at the top of each setting can be changed to the color of your choice. So – personalize or customize these!

Vitrail Glass Gems – Vivid Rounds and Octagons

The rainbow vitrail glass gems shown here are terrific when combined to make earrings. They aren’t heavy, but are vivid enough and have enough sparkle to really catch the eye. And they go with so many colors!

Now I know sometimes we want neutrals, or soft pastels. But you know, sometimes you want color that sparkles and is strong and vibrant and… fun!

That’s what you get when you wear rainbow vitrail. Combine the 10mm rivoli faceted rounds, and 14x10mm octagons as shown here. Or wear each shape alone. Or coordinate with other colors.

That’s the fun of rainbow colors!

Crystal and Emerald Glass Gem Earrings – DIY and Save!

These lightweight, delicate-seeming earrings are great for every day – and hey, if you need emerald earrings for a special occasion? These have the fabulous color of precious gemstone emeralds – without the high price tag!

These would be great for May birthstone earrings – but they’d also look good with blue jeans. You know: as jewelry ought to. You’ll love them!

Sapphire Glass Gems for DIY Earrings or Pendants

This sapphire blue, two-stone glass jewel combination is turning out to be a customer favorite! These are sheer rhinestones (glass stones) – with no foil backs. The color is rich enough to shine even without the foil backing – as you can see here:

They are slightly different shades. Note too that the lighter sapphire octagons are handset into silver plated brass settings with closed backs – so the silver shows through and helps to actually lighten the color a bit. If we used patina brass settings, the octagons would appear to be much darker.

Really what I want to show here, is two different shapes, and how wonderfully they combine. And how much fun it is to try different prong settings! You’ll adopt the idea to your own particular style. That’s the fun of DIY jewelry!

P.S. Well, and also that you can save money when you design and make your own jewelry. Now that is *really* fun!

Necklace Design Idea – Happy 2024!

I think this picture illustrates one of my favorite jewelry design ideas. No, it isn’t “faceted teardrops on a pearl necklace” (though that idea right there is pretty terrific.) It’s simpler than that. Gorgeous colors in a pendant, combined with pretty (and inexpensive) glass pearls. Presto: a great looking necklace that you’d be proud to wear anytime.

But the real point(s) are even simpler than that. One, you don’t have to spend hours, and learn difficult and time-consuming skills, to make pretty jewelry. Of course those skills are fabulous, and yes you can use them to make fabulous items. But you don’t need to, if you just want fun and lovely jewelry!

And point two is even better: you don’t have to spend a lot of money. You can of course, and there are wonderful (and costly) gems to be found. But if you’re not rich, you can still make gorgeous jewelry!

It’s that simple. Buy a few quality items. Learn to string beads, and work with jump rings. Or just buy a pretty (and once again, inexpensive) chain. Make the jewelry you love. Don’t spend a fortune.

That’s a great way to start the new year!

Fuschia Glass Pendant and Earring Jewels Set

I’m feeling lazy these days… so I love faceted glass stones in a jewelry “set”. A case in point, these gorgeous fuschia pink faceted glass pendant and earring jewels. These are nicely feceted with a terrific sparkle. But you probably noticed that!

This pendant jewel is 18mm x 13mm – a modest size pendant, but with plenty of presence to be a star in its own right! Or you could combine it with other stones and jewels, whatever works for your sense of style. And the earring jewels shown here are small, 8mm x 8mm – a bit over 1/4″. They’re available in one or two ring (or no ring!) settings, so you could use them alone as a small, lovely earring drop. Or link them, using the two-ring setting style, with other stones and beads. Or silver chain. Or whatever works, once again, for your creative style.

The teardrop pendant and square stones are sold separately – but if you want to purchase this exact set, just send me a note when you’re ready to order, and we’ll make it work!

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Ruby red glass stones – the birthstone color for July

New Glass Jewels – Light Khaki Tan Coordinating Pears and Squares

More Mother’s Day Gift Ideas!

Mother’s Day Gifts – DIY Earring Design Ideas

Diamonds – the birthstone for April

Vitrail Glass Gems – Vivid Rounds and Octagons

Crystal and Emerald Glass Gem Earrings – DIY and Save!

Sapphire Glass Gems for DIY Earrings or Pendants

Necklace Design Idea – Happy 2024!

Fuschia Glass Pendant and Earring Jewels Set

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