Petite Pearl Miraculous Medal

This petite 15-16" necklace is made with a 0.5" sterling silver rosary centerpiece, cultured freshwater rice pearls and vintage "Rice Krispie" pearls repurposed from an older necklace. "Rice Krispie" pearls were common in the 1970s and 80s. The set includes a matching 6-7" bracelet. All findings are stainless steel with the exception of the platinum-plated clasps.

Hematite and Gunmetal Seven Sorrows

Hematite is one of my favorite mediums.  This is a double-strand necklace of 6mm hematite beads and 4mm gunmetal-plated beads strung on 24 gauge stainless steel wire with a platinum-plated spring clasp.  The shortest strand is 15" long.  The centerpiece is a sterling silver replica of an antique rosary centerpiece.  The reverse of the medal features the Sacred Heart.  The set includes a 7" bracelet and matching earrings on stainless steel half-ball studs.

Obsidian Seven Sorrows

Here's a slightly gothic piece.  A 30" wrap-around necklace made of 3mm and 6mm natural black obsidian and 4mm natural silk stone built around a sterling silver replica of an antique rosary centerpiece depicting the Seven Sorrows of the Immaculate Heart.  The back of the medal depicts the Sacred Heart.  An extension chain adds 3" of adjustability.  The matching bracelet is 6.5", but can extend to 8.25".  All findings are stainless steel except for the clasps and extension chains, which are platinum-plated.

The back view:

White Pearl Fleur-de-lis

AVAILABLE:  $50.00 + $5.00 shipping

If I had my wedding to do over again, this is what I would wear.  A simple and elegant necklace of white cultured pearls built around a sterling silver replica of an antique rosary centerpiece.  The complete set includes a matching 7.5" bracelet and drop earrings.  The pearls are strung on stainless steel wire for extra durability.  The clasps, ear wires and drop pins are platinum-plated.

The back view:

Hematite/Gunmetal St. Anne

I made this for my sister because the St. Anne medal was just too cool to pass up.  The beads are 6mm hematite, 4mm gunmetal-plated brass, and 3mm platinum-plated brass, all on 21 gauge stainless steel pins.  The medal is sterling silver.

Agate/Obsidian Crucifix

A 15.5" necklace using 4mm black glass beads, 6mm black agate beads, and black obsidian chips.  The agate is streaked with soft brown tones.  The crucifix and centerpiece are sterling silver, the beads are strung with stainless steel pins and finished with a platinum-plated clasp.  Matching bracelet and earrings are available.  Both necklace and earrings come with platinum-plated extension chains.

Both the agate and the obsidian are natural semiprecious gemstones and have not been dyed or color-treated.

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WEAR:

"Agate is a microcrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks and can be common in certain metamorphic rocks." (Wikipedia)

"Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock.

It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth. Obsidian is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows, where the chemical composition (high silica content) induces a high viscosity and polymerization degree of the lava. The inhibition of atomic diffusion through this highly viscous and polymerized lava explains the lack of crystal growth. Obsidian is hard and brittle; it therefore fractures with very sharp edges, which had been used in the past in cutting and piercing tools, and has been used experimentally as surgical scalpel blades."  (Wikipedia)

Hematite/Gunmetal St. Joan of Arc

I made this piece especially for me.  The medals are sterling silver, depicting St. Joan on horseback and the Lorraine Cross with thistles.  The beads are 6mm hematite with 4mm gunmetal accent beads on stainless steel eye pins with a platinum-plated lobster clasp.

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WEAR:

St. Joan's hometown of Domrémy is located in the Lorraine region, hence the Lorraine Cross and the thistle, the official flower of the region.  "The Cross of Lorraine (French: Croix de Lorraine) is originally a heraldic cross. The two-barred cross consists of a vertical line crossed by two smaller horizontal bars. In the ancient version, both bars were of the same length. In 20th century use it is "graded" with the upper bar being the shorter. The Lorraine name has come to signify several cross variations, including the patriarchal cross with its bars near the top. . . . The Lorraine cross was carried to the Crusades by the original Knights Templar, granted to them for their use by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. . . . The Cross of Lorraine is part of the heraldic arms of Lorraine in eastern France. . . . During World War II, Capitaine de corvette Thierry d'Argenlieu suggested the Cross of Lorraine as the symbol of the Free French Forces led by Charles de Gaulle as an answer to the Nazi swastika.  The Cross was displayed on the flags of Free French warships, and the fuselages of Free French aircraft. The medal of the Order of Liberation bears the Cross of Lorraine. . . . French Jesuit missionaries and settlers to the New World carried the Cross of Lorraine c. 1750-1810. The symbol was said to have helped the missionaries to convert the native peoples they encountered, because the two armed cross resembled existing local imagery."  (Wikipedia)

"Hematite is a mineral, colored black to steel or silver-gray, brown to reddish brown, or red. It is mined as the main ore of iron. . . . While the forms of hematite vary, they all have a rust-red streak. Hematite is harder than pure iron, but much more brittle. . . . Huge deposits of hematite are found in banded iron formations. Gray hematite is typically found in places where there has been standing water or mineral hot springs, such as those in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The mineral can precipitate out of water and collect in layers at the bottom of a lake, spring, or other standing water. Hematite can also occur without water, however, usually as the result of volcanic activity. . . . The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood αἷμα haima because hematite can be red, as in rouge, a powdered form of hematite. The color of hematite lends it well in use as a pigment. The English name of the stone is derived from Middle French: Hématite Pierre, which was imported from Latin: Lapis Hæmatites, which originated from Ancient Greek: αἱματίτης λίθος (haimatitēs lithos, “blood-red stone”). . . . Hematite's popularity in jewelry was at its highest in Europe during the Victorian era, and has since seen a strong resurgence in North America, especially in the western United States."  (Wikipedia)

Shell Choker

This was a casual piece I threw together.  The crosses are made of shell. separated by 4mm black glass beads and strung on nylon-coated stainless steel beading wire with a platinum-plated lobster clasp in the back.  The entire piece is only 15" long.

Pearl St. Therese

This piece was commissioned by my parents for their god-daughter.  It is 16" long, made of white cultured freshwater pearls on nylon-coated stainless steel beading wire.  The findings are platinum plated brass, and the St. Therese medal is sterling silver.  The back of the medal is blank.

Simple yet elegant, I think this is a great style for weddings.

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WEAR:

"A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a clam, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls (baroque pearls) occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.  The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild, but they are extremely rare. These wild pearls are referred to as natural pearls. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters and freshwater mussels make up the majority of those that are currently sold."  (Wikipedia)

Hematite Miraculous Medal

This was my first attempt at serious jewelry making.  The style (if not the technique) was so successful I made one for my sister as well.  The necklace is 17.5" long, made with alternating 4mm and 6mm gray hematite beads strung with black string and finished with platinum plated brass findings.  The Miraculous Medal is sterling silver.

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WEAR:

"Hematite is a mineral, colored black to steel or silver-gray, brown to reddish brown, or red. It is mined as the main ore of iron. . . . While the forms of hematite vary, they all have a rust-red streak. Hematite is harder than pure iron, but much more brittle. . . . Huge deposits of hematite are found in banded iron formations. Gray hematite is typically found in places where there has been standing water or mineral hot springs, such as those in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The mineral can precipitate out of water and collect in layers at the bottom of a lake, spring, or other standing water. Hematite can also occur without water, however, usually as the result of volcanic activity. . . . The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood αἷμα haima because hematite can be red, as in rouge, a powdered form of hematite. The color of hematite lends it well in use as a pigment. The English name of the stone is derived from Middle French: Hématite Pierre, which was imported from Latin: Lapis Hæmatites, which originated from Ancient Greek: αἱματίτης λίθος (haimatitēs lithos, “blood-red stone”). . . . Hematite's popularity in jewelry was at its highest in Europe during the Victorian era, and has since seen a strong resurgence in North America, especially in the western United States."  (Wikipedia)