An "Apatite" For Gems

My appetite for gems includes the gorgeous carribean sea blues captured in the gemstone apatite.  From the dark clear teal waters to the cool glass aquas, apatite comes in a range of blues, as well as many other colors. I'm sure many are enhanced by artificial means, but that doesn't bother me. I was fortunate enough to come across a blow out sale for two strands of emerald shaped faceted really great quality apatite.  Originally, $105.00 a strand, I was lucky to snap them up for closer to $25.00 each.  Totally worth the price.  I've been holding onto them for a while, not quite sure what I wanted to make of them.  My recent post on my signature bracelets, however, inspired me to add to my collection. Besides, bracelets I can see all day and enjoy more.  Necklaces, are for others to enjoy really. I guess that is why I am partial to rings, bracelets and long necklaces.  But who am I kidding, I love it all!

In one of the beadstores I frequent in NYC, I found oval faceted beads that are the same color and almost as beautiful as the emerald apatite beads. Beautiful enough to work.  I also found these spectacular electric blue apatite strands.  Of course, what else, another bracelet.  I made them today.  Do you like them?

The best way to capture the color accurately, is to not use the flash when taking the picture. Then again, some of the intensity is lost as well.  It's hard to capture the intense hue of these gems with or without flash. But here goes.  Ah, you can see a little more of the sea green with the flash. 

I wonder which one I'll wear tomorrow?

Thanks for stopping by and Stay tuned for more creativity!

My World Of Wearable Jewels

In my world of wearable jewels, there are so many beautiful gemstones in pretty much any color you could possibly imagine. Let me introduce you to "The Ilana" signature bracelet.  My signature bracelet is usually made with six strands of beads and a fairly large center clasp.  The three most important elements of making this bracelet work are: the center clasp, the mix of the bead shapes and the draping of the strands. I can't give away all my secrets but that sums up what makes this bracelet so beautiful, classic and my go to favorite.  I switch is up with different clasps but my all time favorite is the square longevity clasp.  If I had my druthers, I would design my own clasps because I can't seem to find many other ones that are as big and work as well.  Though I am always looking.  I found these really pretty art deco looking clasps (see below) and they are all sparkly. I also found a pretty marcasite clasp that looks great with the clear quartz beads.

In case you are wondering what gemstones you are looking at, from left to right:  On the bracelet bar - green aventurine, garnet, smoky quartz, labradorite, iolite, carnelian/orange jade.  Pooled underneath the bracelet bar - tanzanite colored crystal, amethyst, white quartz, coral, tanzanite, teal seed beads, peacock colored mixed beads, blue labradorite.

Here is a closer look of the aventurine and garnet.

 The art deco sparkly clasp - isn't it pretty?

Here is the amethyst 4 strand with a different clasp and different design.  

While I love my signature bracelet, I also make other designs.  I use toggle clasps, bar clasps and other kinds too.  Just think of all the possibilities with all of the gemstones out there and all the colors of the rainbow. 

 
Believe it or not, even with all of those, there are still some that I want to make.  For instance, I have a smoky quartz bracelet with lighter stones, but I really want to make one out of darker beads.  I made one of those darker ones for a customer and almost couldn't part with it.  That was back in the day when I sold beaded jewelry.  I also really want to make one out of peridot.  The most recent one I made is the orange one in the first picture, made of carnelian and orange jade.  I usually don't mix the stones, but these just worked so well together.  So that's all for now on the jewelry front. I will have to showcase some of my necklaces soon.

One more thing, I absolutely love labradorite.  Labradorite is a grey stone that has flashes of blue and green and even some yellow, depending on the stone.  It is known as labradorescence and gemstone varieties of labradorite exhibiting a high degree of labradorescence are called spectrolite.  It's really hard to see in photos but here is my signature labradorite bracelet.  Really, the picture does it no justice. 

Thanks for stopping by and Stay tuned for more creativity!