Real Gold Dipped Leaves

It’s a sad thing when you purchase a particular bead/component for a jewelry design and end up not doing anything with it for nearly a year. Where does the time go?! What is so fantastic about the new pieces that I have posted is that they come directly from nature. That’s right. Picked right off the tree (okay, well, maybe the ground?). And what better way to celebrate the peak of the fall season than to be adorned by these lovelies.

This crystal necklace and earrings are designed with real oak leaves set against the warmth of gold metal. Each leaf is unique and special, capturing a part of nature, resulting in a beautiful piece of wearable art.

Real Oak Leaf Crystal Earrings (E135)

One of a Kind

SOLD

Sparkle amongst the autumn leaves wearing these real lacey oak leaves which have been hand-dipped and electroformed in 24 karat gold, accented with crystal copper Swarovski Crystals. Finished with gold leverback earwires. Leaf earrings measure 1-7/8" from the bottom of the earwire; oak leaf measures 1-1/2".

Real Oak Leaf Pendant Crystal Necklace (N034)

One of a Kind

SOLD

An elegant handmade beaded necklace that is reminiscent of autumn acorns and oak. Accented with crystal copper Swarovski Crystals drops along a 14 karat long and short gold-fill cable style chain with a real oak leaf pendant which has been hand-dipped and electroformed in 24 karat gold. The overall necklace measures 17-3/4"; the leaf drop is 2" and the oak leaf measures 1-1/2" in length.

Find both of these stunning fall leaf jewelry pieces under the fall beaded jewelry.

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So how’d they do that?

Electroformed Genuine Leaves

The art of electroforming leaves - A real leaf is pressed flat and dried. Once dried, the leaf’s pulp is removed in a light acid bath, resulting in a fragile leaf skeleton. The leaf is dried once more and then hand painted with a copper based paint, which allows it to be electroformed. The leaf is next submerged in an electrolytic solution and with the magic of the positive/negative charges from electricity, over a 3 day period, metal deposits onto the copper based surface. If the leaf has fine veining then a filigree leaf will result. If a leaf has little veining then the electroformed surface will be solid. Prolong electroforming will also result in a more solid form. The final metallic leaf finish is dependent on the electrolytic solution used.

How to care for your leaf jewelry

Leaves should be cleaned carefully with a warm cloth and not with abrasives to maintain its longevity. Each leaf is unique and special, capturing a part of nature, resulting in a beautiful piece of wearable art.

Contest For November

Newsletter subscribers -where are you?! Sadly, the September newsletter winner did not claim their prize of a lovely pair of earrings fashioned after purple grape bunches. That’s too bad, I love giving away beautiful jewelry.

Well, this next contest comes at a perfect time. Just in time for holiday parties. Our November newsletter subscriber prize is a pair of sterling silver and sparkling genuine Swarovski crystal earrings in black and white. What a fantastic accent to any upcoming holiday party.


The winner is: claudia_dunn and she/he will have one week to claim their prize.

Good Luck!

Bali Crystal Beaded Moss Agate Gemstone Necklace

I’ve posted a new gemstone necklace and earrings. A spectacular show of oval moss agate gemstones complemented by olive Swarovski Crystals and .925 sterling Bali beads lead the way to a wire wrapped moss agate gemstone drop pendant. The light and dark bands of color in each agate gemstone make this handmade beaded necklace truly unique. Gemstone necklace is adjustable 16-1/2" to 17- 1/2" with the drop pendant measuring 1-1/2".

Each moss agate oval is uniquely different through a natural process that creates bands and patterns within the gemstone.

Bali Crystal Beaded Moss Agate Gemstone Necklace (N036)

SOLD

Find this gemstone beaded necklace and more at Crystal Allure Creations.

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Moss Agate is a chalcedony (pronounced kal-sed-on-ee) that is formed in the sedimentary process whereby viscous silicic acid has been penetrated with iron silicate solutions without becoming mixed (essentially weathered volcanic rocks). This creates streaked moss green inclusions. It is a semi-precious gemstone, which despite its name does not contain organic matter.

Moss agate is one of the more modest members of the crystal world. It lacks the glitter of lapis lazuli, the radiance of clear quartz, or the chatoyance of tiger’s eye. However, this multi shaded green variety of agate looks similar to moss when viewed from a distance and if you examine a moss agate closely (and especially if you hold it up to the light) you may discover a world within it.

When used in jewelry moss agate is believed to bring the wearer health, friends and riches.

Moss Agate folklore:
The metaphysical properties of moss agate are primarily its strong connection with nature. Moss agate is a stabilizing stone that is said to refresh the soul and reveal the beauty of nature all around one. Healers use it to reduce sensitivity to weather as well as pollution in the environment.

Midwives use moss agate to lesson pain during child birthing and to assure a good delivery. It is considered to be a stone of new beginnings and abundance.

Healing properties of moss agate:

~Speeds up recovery
~Anti-inflammatory
~Cleanses circulatory system
~Relieves depression
~Reduces skin infections

Fall for Autumn's Colorful Crystal Frosted Leaf Earrings

If you are looking for unique bridesmaids jewelry gifts for your autumn wedding, these leaf earrings would be the perfect complement. It may be possible to get multiple pairs of these earrings in a variety of the colors shown below or in one color, please contact me for availability.

Frosting is a glass-finishing technique that renders a simple piece of glass as an exquisite piece of art.

The Illustrated Glass Dictionary at glassonline.com defines frosting as follows: "The process of giving a glass surface a matte finish, thus reducing transparency. Frosting is done through a variety of methods. It may involve treating the glass by pouring hydrofluoric acid on it or exposing it to the acid’s fumes. Frosting also may be achieved by sandblasting, through a special glue application and subsequent removal, or by mechanical etching with a grinding wheel."

Autumn's Frosted Leaf Crystal Beaded Earrings

Shown (left to right): Khaki, Light Topaz, Topaz

Frosted finishes can vary greatly. Some have a coarse, sandpaper feel, while others have a soft feel and the look of clouded glass. The 19th-century term for glass with a frosted or matte finish was satin glass. Frosting or "satinizing" may be applied to opaque as well as transparent glass.

In the handmade beaded earrings shown above, the shimmer of a genuine Swarovski Crystal was added to the design to purposely contrast to the frosted glass leaf bead.

Please note: The Frosted Leaf Orange Topaz Crystal Earrings have been sold.

Frosted Leaf Green Khaki Crystal Beaded Earrings (E131)

$33.95

A green frosted glass leaf, fresh with morning dew, is intertwined with 14kt goldfill and genuine khaki Swarovski Crystals making these handmade beaded earrings truly exquisite. Finished with 14kt goldfill hoop earwires. Length is 1-3/8" from the bottom of the earwire.

Frosted Leaf Yellow Light Topaz Crystal Beaded Earrings (E132)

$33.95

A warm yellow frosted glass leaf, fresh with morning dew, is intertwined with 14kt goldfill and light topaz Swarovski Crystals making these handmade beaded earrings truly exquisite. Finished with 14kt goldfill hoop earwires. Length is 1-3/8" from the bottom of the earwire.