Category Archives: Earrings

Friday Special – Amethyst and Pearl Mosaic Earrings

Posted on 02 • 10 • 12 by | Leave a comment

“The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.”

 

 

The perfect gift for a February birthday, beautiful amethyst and pearl one-of-a-kind  micro mosaic earrings. The mosaics were created with white freshwater pearls and hand-cut amethyst stones individually set in handcrafted 11 x 16.9 mm silver frames hung from sterling silver ear wires.

This offer has expired, these beautiful earrings are now available for $50. Please check back every week for our Friday Specials. For more information on this piece or pieces like it, contact us.

To view other available gemstone mosaic jewelry visit Gray Raven Designs shop.


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Posted in Custom Jewelry, Earrings, Etsy, Friday Special, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry, Pendants

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Treasure

Posted on 01 • 17 • 12 by | Leave a comment
Samples  from my treasure trove
 

Recently, I felt like I struck gold. I was invited by a lapidary (art of cutting and polishing stone) instructor to come raid the scrap buckets of stone at the studio where he teaches. He has been saving the discarded pieces for years, for what, he wasn’t sure.  In the back of his mind he must have known someone would appreciate them as I do.

As I sort the stones by color, texture, size and shape, I’m taking my time to admire their natural beauty as I try to identify them.  In my treasure trove I’ve discovered lapis, jade, obsidian, chrysocolla, copper, quartz, agate, jasper, fossils and so much more. Already, I have numerous projects in mind for my find.

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Posted in Blog, Cufflinks, Earrings, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry, Pendants

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Aquamarine

Posted on 01 • 03 • 12 by | Leave a comment

The New Year has officially begun and I’ve welcomed it by cutting into a new batch of stones. One of my favorite stones to cut and use is aquamarine. Sorting through the pound of aquamarine stones I recently purchased, I felt like a kid in a candy store. The many different hues of blues and greens, varying transparency and iridescence of each stone excited me and I couldn’t wait to cut into them to see the treasures within. I have hours of cutting ahead and look forward to the new creative directions the stones take me.

To view my currently available mosaic jewelry please visit  Gray Raven Designs.


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Posted in Blog, Cufflinks, Earrings, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry, Pendants

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Thirteen Pounds

Posted on 12 • 14 • 11 by | Leave a comment

Recently I purchased thirteen pounds of emerald, aquamarine, amethyst, carnelian, citrine, labradorite, amazonite, and bronzite stones at a gem show.  I selected the stones not only for their color, but also for their iridescence, transparency and reflectivity. Over the next few months I will be spending hours in my studio hand cutting the stones into the micro-sized pieces I require to create my mosaic art jewelry. I look forward to seeing how this new batch of stones guides me in my future designs.

To view my currently available mosaic jewelry please visit  Gray Raven Designs.

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Posted in Blog, Cufflinks, Earrings, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry, Pendants

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Iridescent Labradorite

Posted on 12 • 06 • 11 by | Leave a comment

The iridescence of the mineral labradorite reminds me of butterfly wings with its shimmer of color. At first glance some labradorite stones may appear grey or black, but as light enters the stone, flashes of blue, green, violet, red, yellow and orange colors can be seen.  This play of color is known as “labradorescence” and is caused by light entering and scattering between the many micro-thin layers of crystals within the stone.

To see the beauty of labradorite in my mosaic jewelry please visit  Gray Raven Designs.

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Posted in Blog, Cufflinks, Earrings, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry, Pendants

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Royal Purple

Posted on 11 • 08 • 11 by | Leave a comment

For centuries amethyst has adorned the crowns of royalty. The most valuable member of the quartz family, amethyst ranges in color from pale lilac to deep purple and can have red and blue hues. The name is derived from the ancient Greek word “amethystos” which means “not intoxicated.” Carved amethysts were used as goblets and amulets for protection and in ancient Rome crushed amethyst stone was added to wine cups to prevent drunkenness.

Since purple has always been my favorite color, the first piece of handmade jewelry I owned had a small amethyst stone. Now, I frequently use amethyst in my work either on its own or blended with other colors to give added richness.

To view more amethyst and other gemstone mosaic art jewelry visit my shop  Gray Raven Designs.

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Posted in Blog, Cufflinks, Earrings, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry, Pendants

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Lapis the color of…

Posted on 11 • 01 • 11 by | Leave a comment

The beautiful rich blue lapis lazuli has continuously been mined in Afghanistan for over six thousand years.  Lapis has been used over the centuries to create jewelry, carvings, mosaics and other ornamental pieces.

Lapis was the stone of royalty used by the kings of Egypt for their beautiful carved amulets and seals. Cleopatra used powdered lapis for eye shadow and it was later used by the Renaissance painters to create deep blue ultramarine paints to depict the water, sky and luxurious fabrics in their masterpieces.

I find that the intense blue of lapis adds an element to my work that no other stone can produce.  If you would like to see more gemstone mosaic jewelry please visit  Gray Raven Designs.

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Posted in Blog, Cufflinks, Earrings, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry, Pendants

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Friday Special — Gemstone Mosaic Earrings

Posted on 10 • 21 • 11 by | Leave a comment

One piece. Half price. Four days.

Amber promotes good luck, enlightenment, healing, and success.

Lemon stone is believed to help focus thoughts, leading to balance and happiness.

Carnelian is said to assist in stimulating creativity.

Enjoy the benefits of these stones with these beautiful one-of-a-kind landscape inspired mosaic earrings. The mosaics were created with natural hand-cut amber, lemon stone and fire carnelian stones individually set in handcrafted 12.7 mm square silver frames hung from sterling silver ear wires.

This special has expired. It is now available for $45.  Please check back every week for our Friday Specials. For more information on this piece or pieces like it, contact us.

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Posted in Blog, Custom Jewelry, Earrings, Etsy, Friday Special, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry

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Amber Glow

Posted on 10 • 18 • 11 by | Leave a comment

Amber is technically not a gemstone or mineral, but instead is fossilized sap from prehistoric trees that has taken millions of years to form. As an organic substance, no two pieces of amber are alike. It can be transparent or opaque and comes in many shades and colors, the most common of which are cognac, honey, green, lemon yellow, and ivory. According to the American Museum of Natural History, “the world’s largest amber deposits come from the shores of the Baltic Sea, where amber has been harvested, traded, and crafted into decorative objects for at least 13,000 years.”

Using amber allows me to add radiance and warmth to my work. It provides a unique inner glow that cannot be duplicated. If you would like to see more amber mosaic art jewelry please visit  Gray Raven Designs.

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Posted in Blog, Cufflinks, Earrings, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry, Pendants

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Friday Special — Gemstone Mosaic Earrings

Posted on 10 • 14 • 11 by | Leave a comment

One piece. Half price. Four days.

Chrysocolla is said to dispel negativity and keep the mind clear and open.

Jasper gives one the courage to speak out and have personal independence.

 

 

Enjoy the benefits of both chrysocolla and jasper with these beautiful gemstone one-of-a-kind Southwest inspired mosaic earrings. The mosaics were created with natural hand-cut chrysocolla and tiger skin jasper stones individually set in handcrafted 11 x 16.9 mm silver frames hung from sterling silver ear wires.

This special has expired. It is now available for $47.  Please check back every week for our Friday Specials. For more information on this piece or pieces like it, contact us.

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Posted in Blog, Custom Jewelry, Earrings, Etsy, Friday Special, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry

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