A Necklace a Day - Eleven

Yesterday we saw some amazing jewelry designs using semi-precious stones, from the studio of Joan Hunter Handmade. Though every beader has their own favorite beads, we can all agree that elements such as color and sparkle are important when we choose our materials.

For today’s necklace, I started with one of my favorite things - pointed-back rivoli rhinestones. Of all the glass or crystal beads out there, they remind me the most of cut gemstones. This may or may not be because most of the fantastic jewels we see in movies about treasure are actually made of crystal - often Swarovski crystal, no less. You can look for Swarovski in the credits of films like The Illusionist, Ocean’s Thirteen and The Phantom of the Opera.

The shape and sparkle of rivolis give them an incredibly precious appeal. They would look right at home in a chest full of coins and bejeweled goblets. And since they come in a variety of jewel-imitating colors, they make great birthstone alternatives.

This “Rainy Day” necklace combines a peridot rivoli with sapphire triangles and gray seed beads. The finished piece doesn’t look anything like I had imagined, and I’m not really happy with how it turned out. If I were to do it over again, I would choose beads by their shapes instead of their colors.

This necklace is going to be a keeper. I’ll make a little room on the jewelry rack!

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading

Also, some recommended Remembrance Day / Veteran’s Day reading:

Canadian Women in the Military
Why the Poppy?
Terry Kelly: A Pittance of Time