Semi-Precious Gems

I went to a gem show this weekend and fortunately had a shopping list in hand. Otherwise, it is so easy to get out of control. Strands and strands of gorgeous colors and beads in every cut and shape. My purpose in going was to be able to recreate some new designs in different color patterns. I made a fabulous semi-precious necklace that resembles a sunny October day here in New England with yellows, greens, oranges and bits of blue. I used 8 different gems - vesuvinite (warm green), citrine, apatite (aqua blue), peridot, carnelian, spessartite garnet ( orange-red), and kyanite (deep aqua). Each gem is hand-wired on sterling silver chain. You can see it at my shop http://www.rubylane.com/shops/designsbyaprilps/designsbyapril and viewing AUT1. The matching earrings are pictured at above left.

I came away with more citrine and peridot, amethyst, rose quartz, pink topaz, ametrine, apatite, green amethyst, lemon quartz, spessartite garnet, and more. I can't wait to begin wokring on something stupendous.

Tourmalines are a favorite gem. They come in so many colors. I have two designs that incorporate tourmalines with freshwater pearls. One is a range of pinks to green as seen on the left. The center is a Y style with tourmaline briolettes and small round beads along with a burgundy pearl. All of these are hand wired to sterling silver chain that ends with a trigger clasp, much easier to use than the lobster claw.

The green-brown tourmaline uses bronze pearls. I love how these came out and anticipate a line of birthstone pieces using this same style but varying the beads. My March one is done - aquamarine and pearls. you can see all of these in my shop at www.rubylane.com/shops/designsbyapril. Look for TOU3, TOU4 and AQUA 3&4.

Inspiration for Designs

Jewelry is a personal thing - what one person loves another one will hate. Color is a perosnal thing - my favorite color could clash with yours. My jewelry is a combination of two personal statements - color and style. My desire is to make beautiful things, drawing inspiration from colors in nature and composition of vintage style.

I am a color person. no dooubt about that. I love using it in all areas of my life, from how I choose to decorate my home, to business cards to clothing I wear. No standard black clothing will do, nor will neutral cream walls, or small, safe jewelry. No, I need to have colors around me. I filled my garden with swaths of color, always seeking out the more unusual of any plant. So, if everyone plants red and yellow tulips, mine are pink and orange and purple.

So with my jewelry. Years ago, I discovered stunning vintage jewelry. I started because I was looking for clip on earrings and once I walked into my first vintage jewelry shop, I was hooked. I moved to those fabulous rhinestone pieces of the 40's and 50's - glitz and sparkle. I became enmored with Czech pieces from the teens and twenties. I wore these every day. Jewelry became my trademark.

Then, I had my ears re-pierced. I knew I would have to learn to make earrings to match my gorgeous jewelry if I wanted to wear them. For me, matching sets, or something really close, are necessary. And then, I got hooked. What started as fun for me, became fun in making pieces for others, which in turn has become my passion - making simply beautiful jewelry that relies on color and style to create the new collectible jewelry. Hence, my tag line - "The new vintage of collectible jewelry".

What do I love working with? Swarovski crystals top my list - they are today's rhinestones. I love how they shine when the light catches them just right. Plus, there are so many colors to choose from. There are crystals in almost ever piece I make.

Freshwater pearls. They now come in lots of colors, some very rich and real looking, even though dyed. The realm of khakis and bronzes, navy blue to teal, rose and pink, all just cry out to be fashioned into something unique. Classic with a twist. Like this burgundy pearl and Swaorvski necklace pictured at the right. I love the variations of the colors which make it look very natural. The burgundy crystals add a sparkle just not able to be captured well in photographs. Appropriate for business, and after hours. I can see this worn well with a grey business suit. It also looks fabulous with a black dress. Classic in style for sure. We've all seen our mothers and grandmothers in their multi-strand pearls, but, the crystals give it a pizzazz to update the look.

Now, just look at the color of these pearls in this bracelet. I was doing a wedding last fall and the maid of honor was wearing burnt orange. The girls wanted to wear multi-stand pearls with crystals in them. So, my hunt was on to find something for the maid of honor. I found these pearls and with the Swarovski Indian Red crystal, perfection! Again, a classic pearl bracelet in a single strand updated with crystals, color and the oval shape of the pearls.

Since I'm talking pearls here, I use them in many wedding designs. My most popular style for a bride is a single strand (classic again) of white pearls alternating with Swarovski crystals in either clear, clear AB or moonstone, with a mutli-pearl and crystal drop in front. For the novice, AB stands for aurora borealis and offers a rainbow warmth to the crystal. Moonstone is new and a very cool clear white - perfect for the bride in white with silver. I love the little sterling heart toggle clasp to add to the romance of a wedding day. I've also done this with color crystals. A bride had pink and green crystals in her tiara so I made her piece using the same light rose and erinite crystal colors and it was wonderful and personal. (Think a pink rose.) This necklace retails for $65 and matching earrings are available for $35.

To see more jewelry, visit my Ruby Lane shop at www.rubylane.com/shops/designsbyapril. I have a Bridal catalog that you can request as well by e-mailing me through the shop. All bridal jewelry is made to order to ensure that you get the perfect size.

Next blog will tell more aobut my inspirations and highlight another design feature.