Champagne Citrine Dormeuses

Nothing is like a pair of sparkling "dormeuses" to liven up a plain outfit on a boring day. These are made from faceted pear briolettes of Champagne Citrine encased in gold-fill wire and suspended from gold-fill hooks. Like a drop of honey falling from each earlobe...

Chalcedony

Chalcedony is cryptocrystalline quartz with a wax-like lustre which occurs in almost any colour of the rainbow. Should be protected from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures.

The Romans prized chalcedony carved into seals, and the Victorians wore finely carved cameos and intaglios. Chalcedony was used in Renaissance magic for health and safety.

Chalcedony is found in many parts of the world, but the most prized Chalcedony are from India, Madagascar, Burma, Brazil, Mexico & USA.

Friday indulgence

Friday afternoons are mine, entirely mine to do whatever I like... Time to indulge in a few aural memories, found on YouTube, such as this: "Une Femme Avec Toi" sung by the silky-voiced Nicole Croisille. Gorgeous...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-65kjpU1Qfw

Chalcedonie

Chalcedony... such an uninviting name for a gemstone, so hard to know how to pronounce... And yet, such a pretty stone, so malleable (it is frequently dyed into the lushest colours) and accessible too, so it is no wonder that this semi-precious gemstone has become more prominent in fashion jewellery lately.

Here is a pair of slightly baroque briolettes of gel-blue chalcedony in a very simple setting swinging from sterling silver lever-back earwires. I have treated these to an oxidising bath, which blackens the silver and creates a lovely contrast to the luminous colour of the stones.

I have been having a lot of fun oxidising silver lately, so more black silver will follow.

Nimue

One day recently I discovered a small parcel of gemstones which I had completely forgotten about since we moved house last autumn (so many things went missing in that move). When I opened it I found a strand of finely faceted aquamarines, perfect for a feather-light bracelet. I used gold to link the stones, to give them a bit of warmth, and I've worn this bracelet ever since. I've called it Nimue, for I think these translucent greens and blues conjure up a delicate image of the Lady of the Lake...

This slim bracelet featuring beautiful faceted rondelles of violet Tanzanite and Sterling Silver is lovely on its own, or mix it a stack of Silver bracelets for a more ethnic feel.

Comment te dire tout est bleu...

I am in love with the beautiful blues from Ralph Lauren's spring-summer collection. Never mind the oddness of couture referencing the American depression and dust-bowl farmhands in faded dungarees... it is just lovely. (I found myself outside the RL emporium on Bond Street the other evening, and I was probably lucky that they had already closed for the day!)

Here are my blues for the day...