Welcome to the Lowly Beader's Club

[MintyFresh]

My EBay harvest rope restrung as an endless necklace. Despite removing a few pearls and the clasp, I still ended up with 50 inches (because of the knots). Some pearls had very thin nacre and others had some damage around drill holes, but overall, I’m very happy with it! Especially for $230!

 

[ennui]

I like the harvest rope -- easy to wear, and versatile. Very pretty.
I think I counted over nine projects in the past month? I feel terribly lazy.

 

[MintyFresh]

Only 3 pearls in this “presto chango” fall necklace and earrings. Smokey quartz, amber, labradorite, onyx and purple freshwater pearls. And a removable turquoise pendant. I may rework the earrings to add some labradorite. Still perfecting my wire-wrapping but it’s fine for jewelry just for me!

 

[MintyFresh]

New beads, new color palette! I’m calling this one my “morning coffee and sun salutation.” Quartz, silverite and labradorite. So pleased with the 9.5 mm akoyas. They’re very gleam-y. I’ll likely restring for better drape (knots throughout), plus silver findings may look more appropriate. Planning on more akoyas and smokey quartz and maybe a pop of color for contrasting earrings or bracelet. I think I will need to take a break from jewelry making soon. The year end deals are ramping up!

 

[MintyFresh]

Latest projects:

Baroque South sea white pearls wire-wrapped on Argentium silver. The pearls are 11-12 mm and of middling quality but I love how it turned out.

24 inch necklace of freshwater pearls, opal chips and herkimer quartz chips. Tiny pearls (only 5 mm for the potatoes and 4.5 for the top drilled ones) but it is very sparkly and glow-y.

 

[MintyFresh]

Probably the fifth variation I have done with the 3 Kasumi pearls I have. I think this one may be it. The tiny spinel “chain” is 22 inches. The small black pearls are Tahitians. All findings 14k gold filled.

 

[MintyFresh]

I waited weeks and weeks for these gorgeous paparadscha sapphires from Silver Gems Palace on Etsy. I wasn’t disappointed! I added some tiny gold spacer beads and one white/gold shaded South Sea pearl at 15 mm.

 

[pattye]

One of my 5 top favorite gems; I'm swooning! Would love to see these in person some day!

 

[MintyFresh]

One of my 5 top favorite gems; I'm swooning! Would love to see these in person some day

I take notes while I am making jewelry. One of them says "LOVE paparadscha sapphires. Pink-orange like a tropical sunset."

What are your other 4 favorite gemstones? And which ones do you think pair best with pearls?

 

[pattye]

To me, mixing pearls with colored stones allows so much creativity! Nobody will have a gorgeous necklace just like yours, MintyFresh!
Imo, all colored gems can pair well with pearls!
My favorite gems are: sapphires (my birthstone), all colors, especially padparadscha, Oregon sunstone, jade, blended ametrine, black spinel, coral, tourmaline, Oregon jaspers, turquoise, oops, only five?? Of course, I have many "pure" pearl necklaces that I also cherish!

Do you have favorite pairings, MintyFresh? Who else wants to share their thoughts?

 

[Pella]

To me, mixing pearls with colored stones allows so much creativity! Nobody will have a gorgeous necklace just like yours, MintyFresh!
Imo, all colored gems can pair well with pearls!
My favorite gems are: sapphires (my birthstone), all colors, especially padparadscha, Oregon sunstone, jade, blended ametrine, black spinel, coral, tourmaline, Oregon jaspers, turquoise, oops, only five?? Of course, I have many "pure" pearl necklaces that I also cherish!

Do you have favorite pairings, MintyFresh? Who else wants to share their thoughts?

Pattye - you forgot lapis lazuli!

 

[MintyFresh]

Had not heard of blended ametrine. Wowza!

 

[ennui]

I'm here to represent the traditional -- white pearls with rubies, sapphires, or emeralds. It's so difficult to find good rubies lately that they seem to have fallen off.

I like Tahitians with labradorite, black spinel, or tourmaline.

I remember someone received a white SS bracelet with a ruby clasp as a gift, but I can't find the post. It's been a few years, but I still remember my jaw dropped.

 

[pattye]

Oh yes, Pella, Lapis and pearls, never gets old, the truest blue!

 

[MintyFresh]

I'm here to represent the traditional -- white pearls with rubies, sapphires, or emeralds. It's so difficult to find good rubies lately that they seem to have fallen off.

I like Tahitians with labradorite, black spinel, or tourmaline.

I remember someone received a white SS bracelet with a ruby clasp as a gift, but I can't find the post. It's been a few years, but I still remember my jaw dropped.

Emeralds are my birthstone and pearls are my husband's. I should make a Morse code necklace with little pearls and tiny emeralds with our anniversary date. Tourmalines are lovely!

 

[ennui]

Emeralds are my birthstone and pearls are my husband's. I should make a Morse code necklace with little pearls and tiny emeralds with our anniversary date. Tourmalines are lovely!

I like that, Morse code ... that would be really special!

Victorians had "dearest" jewelry -- diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz. It was meant to be a secret message, special to the recipient.