Accent color for a coppery strand?

[cyndayco]

Hi, everyone. I'm at that stage where I've started upcycling my stash. I've had some luck in transforming pearls like these with pyrite, plated gold, and lava rock beads to bring out the orient.



Now, I have these smooth, lustrous, copper baroques with green orient.



I like the purity of the pearls, but unless I'm playing with the beads in the right light, the orient is not very visible. I'm thinking low-grade faceted sapphire, lapiz lazuli, or maybe more of that copper-plated pyrite. Tiny peridot rondelles briefly crosssed my mind, but that may be too much.

What do you think works best with this color and texture?

 

[Marianne]

I was seeing peridot

 

[Marianne]

On second thought…. yup, got in bed and kept thinking…… The colors are so bold, you might play around with chrome diopside, or Oregon sunstone with schiller or even garnet
Maybe now I can sleep!

 

[KarinK]

Or emerald...

- Karin

 

[cyndayco]

Thanks, Karin and Marianne. I apologize for any loss of beauty sleep my question may have caused.

I found tiny emerald-like faceted quartz beads that fit the bill. I also discovered a handful of amber nuggets that echoed the rich copper tone but can add a lighter touch to the necklace. Looks like I'll be mixing and matching for the next several evenings.

 

[Marianne]

Not your fault, cyndaco. Color tends to keep me awake many nights
Mixing and matching is great fun. Looking forward to seeing your creations!

 

[Katbran]

I first thought of Peridot ..I don't think adding colour is too much as long as the beads are tiny. Amber is an interesting choice.. run some up on thread and lets all have a look !

 

[GemGeek]

You might look at Swarovski crystals, which come in an amazing array of after-market colors. Something outrageous with aurora-borealis coating might flash enough to compete.

http://www.eurekacrystalbeads.com/swarovski-custom-coatings
http://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/H201235CY

 

[Katbran]

Guess it depends on the look you want..I've used those Swarovski AB beads and they are really pretty..I love the clear with AB .. the Amber might make it a bit more 'tribal' depending on the size and shape of the beads and that could be cool. Peridot would look really pretty but might make the focus too much on the green .. can you just string up a few combinations on some wire and let's all have a look

 

[pattye]

Cyndayco,

Looking forward to the newly designed necklace! Lots of great suggestions! And a plus if there's already gems in your stash that will work!

The coppery-green pearls are so pretty.

 

[cyndayco]

Okay, this necklace has been keeping me awake for a couple of nights now. Here are the variations that worked best, made with beads that I already had.

Version 1: Pearls with gold spacers, plus amber nuggets and gold-plated toggle clasp (from Sven) as focal points. Nice clean monotone look, but the amber did give it an early 2000 look.



Version 1a: I switch the amber nuggets for emerald rondelles. A bit much for my taste.



Version 2: Keeping it simple, just the pearls with alternating green quartz beads and gold spacer beads.



I'm also toying with the idea of gold-plated druzy connectors, although those over 12mm long can be expensive.

What do you think?

 

[juliebeth]

gemstones and pearls! these are great, i do like the amber! have you thought about the other side of the color wheel, some amethyst? the contrast might bring out the green without out-greening it, if that makes sense.

 

[GemGeek]

Very cool!

 

[Marianne]

Voting for the amber….. so far

 

[Katbran]

Hmmmm ... the green (to me) looks tooooo GREEN ! But that could be the photo .. colours can come out more intense. I like the Amber colour of the two choices. I think it's worth just playing around with a few of the pearls and different stones. Marianne has a point, sometimes it a colour that isn't as obvious a choice that works the best. Those are quite amazing coloured pearls!

 

[cyndayco]

We're all on the same page as far as the green goes. In fact, I discarded everything but the copper pearls; brought in purple pearls, copper-plated pyrite beads, and amber Swarovski crystals with a purple orient (not visible in the photo, I'm afraid). I also tried an asymmetrical design, which I'm liking very much right now. Of course, I may feel differently in the morning.

 

[CathyKeshi]

If I might join in ... I wonder what the more yellow hued peridot would have looked like, versus that brighter blue hued green quartz? This asymmetrical design (and color mix) looks FABULOUS!

 

[GemGeek]

How about one big picture, maybe coiled up a little? I want to see it better!

 

[Katbran]

I agree with GemGeek, a close up would be good. My opinion..you are on the right track with the asymmetrical design. Much more modern and interesting. As for colours..can't really make them out. Lookin good tho

 

[cyndayco]

Close ups!



Now I'm looking for either a copper clasp or a peridot clasp. Better yet, one that has both elements.