Chatter

Deb Harding on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“Where did my capital "I's" go??? They were there when I was typing...why would they turn…” read »
Deb Harding on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“I totally understand...but sometimes i let it sit for awhile where i cant see it. Then…” read »
Deb Harding on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Ditto ditto everyone else. Love that hammered copper focal!…” read »
Deb Harding on “Lots of Copper”:
“Wow lucky you! I would probably get into doing metal working if I got that as…” read »
Deb Harding on “Butterfly Dance”:
“The bead weaving part is awesome. The whole necklace is very different and I like that.…” read »
Need4Beadz on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“P.S.--its so hard to tell in the pics what color the stones in the pendant are--they…” read »
Need4Beadz on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“Beadinggma: the metal in this piece is antique gold color. I got the pendant on…” read »
Need4Beadz on “Butterfly Dance”:
“This is just lovely! I love the design, especially the bead weaving...well done!…” read »
Fresh Baked on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“FYI...I decided to host a little give away of a wire wrapped briolette necklace on my…” read »
RLMerder on “Aurora Damask”:
“About the swellegant patinas.. not hard just difficult to determine when you are done letting it…” read »
Fresh Baked on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks, ladies! If you do give the tutorial a try out and have a minute…” read »
beadinggma on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“Beautiful pendant and chain goes well with design. What kind of metal is it?…” read »
beadinggma on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“Thanks Deb, nice to know you know how I feel about a redo. I am…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “A Green Cuff”:
“Love this green with copper. Awesome!…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Recycled Blues”:
“Very pretty!…” read »
Fresh Baked on “Lots of Copper”:
“Love the new shapes, Nancy. This gift will be keeping you busy for quite awhile!…” read »
Deb Harding on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Beautiful!! I just went & looked at your tute. While I haven't tried it yet I…” read »
Kate on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Oooh, I love the look of that wire against the glass. It makes me think of…” read »
Peggy3 on “Raspberry and Cream!”:
“Great colors…” read »
Deb Harding on “A Green Cuff”:
“LOVE IT!!…” read »
Deb Harding on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“I do like it. Not as much as the blue but aqua blue is my fave…” read »
chicky Zee on “Night Owl”:
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chicky Zee on “~ Brigantine Beach ~”:
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chicky Zee on “Mystic Mystery”:
“Lovely set!…” read »
chicky Zee on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
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puppychick labratbecky on “A Green Cuff”:
“FABULOUS!!! …” read »
chicky Zee on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Beautiful!…” read »
chicky Zee on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“These are pretty!…” read »
chicky Zee on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Lovely!…” read »
chicky Zee on “Recycled Blues”:
“LOVELY!…” read »
chicky Zee on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“LOvely !…” read »
chicky Zee on “Lots of Copper”:
“These are adorable!…” read »
chicky Zee on “A Green Cuff”:
“Love this Nancy!…” read »
Medieval Momma on “Lots of Copper”:
“So cool!…” read »
Need4Beadz on “A Green Cuff”:
“I agree, this color is gorgeous with copper....great piece!…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Ice Ice Druzy”:
“That druzy is cool. Great piece!…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Simply Crystal”:
“Lovely design!…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Fancy Circutry”:
“Very cool!…” read »

Silver Smoke

Bigger Photo

About this design:

A friend accompanied me on my last visit to the local GemFaire. She fell in love with these huge (18-20mm) silver quartz rondelles and wanted me to design a formal necklace for her. With the assistance of several other shoppers, we settled on the faceted smoky quartz as a pairing. I add sterling beads as accent and smaller smooth smoky quartz as separators. Here's the final result.

Then, the earrings--here are two options for y'all to vote on. Which is the better design--weighty smoky quartz faceted nugget on top or on bottom?

Components:

Silver Quartz faceted rondelles, smoky Quartz faceted side-drilled nuggets, sterling coil beads and toggle clasp (not shown), Smoky Quartz smooth rondelles.

Additional Images:

Read the comments (or add your own)

On Aug 10, 2010 at 12:41 pm #
grama rose aka stormy says:

I like the quartz on the bottom and i love the color combination of this necklace I would be very happy with it!!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 12:42 pm #
Mahala93 RockChick says:

very cool! Love that silver quartz!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 12:42 pm #
Travelin Chick-marlene says:

gorgeous!!!!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 12:52 pm #
Bead-itudes says:

You’ve created a gorgeous piece here Science Chick. I vote for the quartz on the bottom for the earrings. Gives them more balance.
On Aug 10, 2010 at 1:11 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:

Gayle, this necklace is gorgeous — your friend is sure to love it!!! While both pairs of earrings are beautiful, I feel the second pair (with the quartz on the bottom) looks more balanced.
On Aug 10, 2010 at 1:12 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:

Oops, I meant to say the first pair…..sorry!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 2:03 pm #
sunny chick says:

This is a gorgeous set! Your friend is going to love it! I like the earrings with the quartz on the bottom, as well.
On Aug 10, 2010 at 2:06 pm #
Reet says:

BEAUTIFUL necklace !!!!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 2:15 pm #
Orchid Betty says:

Gorgeous necklace! Both of the earrings are beautiful, it is difficult to choose between them, but if I have to vote, it will be the one with the quarts on the bottom!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 2:15 pm #
JulzJewlz says:

Very nice! Your friend is a lucky woman! I like the earrings with the quartz on the bottom.
On Aug 10, 2010 at 2:39 pm #
NY Bella says:

Beautiful necklace! I like the quartz on the bottom.
On Aug 10, 2010 at 2:45 pm #
Science Chick Runs Sibes says:

Ah…your voting is definitely showing a trend. My friend had said she wanted the quartz with a silver bead below. But, I was uncomfortable with that design. So, I made the ones with the quartz on the bottom and gave her the choice.

Drum roll, please. She picked the earrings with the quartz on the bottom.
On Aug 10, 2010 at 2:55 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:

Oh, Gayle — that is just toooooo funny!!! ROTFLOL
On Aug 10, 2010 at 3:00 pm #
Bead-itudes says:

TA DA – Lima Beaders consensus prevails…..
Do we not have impecable taste, or what???
On Aug 10, 2010 at 3:05 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:

We do indeed!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 3:08 pm #
Mommykat Bubbly Chick says:

Beautiful necklace Gayle! And I just love both pairs of the earrings!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 3:29 pm #
POF Chick Nina says:

Beautiful beads and design. The earrings are nice both ways. My preference is with the quartz on the bottom.
On Aug 10, 2010 at 3:58 pm #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:

Gorgeous love the quatz on the bottom!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 4:02 pm #
Eeka Mouse says:

It looks great! those sterling coil beads were just what it needed.
On Aug 10, 2010 at 4:10 pm #
Chicky Bear-Tara says:

Fabulous! I love both pairs too!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 4:14 pm #
Science Chick Runs Sibes says:

Thanks for all your compliments. I, too, love the silver quartz. I now own all the leftovers. Am thinking what to do with those monster SQ.

One or a few are going to be mine–possibly the mixed with amethyst (my favorite gem) or ruby (my birthstone).
On Aug 10, 2010 at 4:48 pm #
FaeryGoth Chick says:

Gorgeous! For the earrings, quartz on the bottom
On Aug 10, 2010 at 4:49 pm #
LeighAnn F says:

Beautiful necklace! Love both pairs of earrings!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 6:29 pm #
leafy river says:

Great combination of beads- and a beautiful necklace!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 6:34 pm #
Cotopaxi Chickie Sue says:

Stunning, and gorgeous! I adore this set!

I am, however, going to buck the trend – I like the quartz on top(I also like my teardrops hanging down rather than up) – I think it’s a leaner look, and I’ll do anything that makes me leaner! LOL!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 8:23 pm #
Lynn g says:

This is a very pretty set, and picked out some wonderful stones..
On Aug 10, 2010 at 8:45 pm #
Green Eyed Lady Chick says:

Stunning set, love the silver quartz with the smokey quartz!!!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 9:11 pm #
Canadian chicky karen says:

Wow this is a really beauty!!
On Aug 10, 2010 at 10:38 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:

Very pretty necklace … and looks like we all agreed (quartz on the bottom!!) SLS
On Aug 11, 2010 at 11:24 am #
Science Chick Runs Sibes says:

What a hoot! My friend is going to wear this set as part of “Dress Cowboy.” She’s going to a conference next week in Texas and the big gala has that theme. I finished it just in time!
On Aug 11, 2010 at 12:54 pm #
Faithful Chick aka Faith says:

Stunning statement piece. I am going to have to be different too I like the one with the chunky quartz on top and the open silver work bead below. That one sort of accents the smokey quartz more and doesn’t look as heavy. These are very large earrings in appearance. Hard to tell without knowing the porportion. I am glad your friend chose the one she liked best after all she is the one to please.
On Aug 11, 2010 at 3:56 pm #
Science Chick Runs Sibes says:

Faith–You’re right they are very big earrings. The smoky quartz nugget is almost an inch long.
Faith and Sue–I’ve come to really like the quartz on top earrings that are now part of my stocks.

The quartz on the bottom truly complemented my friend’s face. The weight at the bottom falling at the chin and upward triangular shape worked best with her longish oval face.