peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Jun 9, 2011 19:37:49 GMT -5
I haven't done any beading or wire-wrap in a great many years, maybe 15 years, so this one is pretty primitive. It's done with 14 kt round gold-filled wire and silk thread, because that's what I had. I think that it should be re-done at some point with half-round wire (to secure the stone better) and tigertail (because stone chips are gonna be real rough on that silk). So we'll call this the quickie "Mark 1" version of the idea, and when I update/improve, I'll have the photo to remind me of what I started with. I'm making vintage button and seed bead clasps, rather than investing in foofy sterling clasps for these primitive, just-starting-again items. The beads are not gold or gold filled, they are just some inexpensive "gold tone" beads from Michael's. Question: Anyone know what this stone is? I mean, it's some sort of Agate, methinks, judging from the way it cut, and the tiny tiny micro-vugs with quartz in it, but I don't know what kind. Beautiful stuff although rather vuggy/pitty...with all the "stuff" going on in the beaded necklace I don't think the minor imperfections in the stone are a problem. Its color grabs the attention. Or what do you guys think? Suggestions for improvement ALWAYS welcome. At some point I'll re-wrap and re-string the project so I'm not offended if you spot flaws, I've spotted a few myself and would like to correct them. Thanks!  |
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lisatech
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 140
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Post by lisatech on Jun 9, 2011 20:59:02 GMT -5
Kudos to you using the chips - I have a distinct aversion to chaotic beading but the necklace looks lovely! And the gold beads set the pink off nicely....Don't know what the stone is myself...
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Post by drocknut on Jun 9, 2011 23:52:52 GMT -5
That looks cool. And, I'm not gonna laugh.
I like the colors you used and the color of the main stone. Sorry, no idea what it might be. I have yet to do a whole necklace so you got one up on me. I would definitely restring the chips with beading wire instead of the silk, you are right that they would be hard on the silk. Not sure I like the vintage button clasp but that's just me. I would think about making a clasp with wire, maybe an S clasp.
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Post by LCARS on Jun 12, 2011 22:24:14 GMT -5
That looks to me like Rhodonite.  Rhodonite is typically ruby red to salmon pink with tan to white matrix and black streaks of a type of manganese oxide. Rhodochrosite is also similar looking but it is more crystalline and often has specks or streaks of pyrite in it. At any rate it looks great.  My only concern based solely on the photo is that wrap on the stone might not be very secure unless you have also drilled it or put something around the back I can't see that helps secure it...  |
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Post by tanyafrench on Jun 13, 2011 7:43:28 GMT -5
I love the clasp you used, it is vintage and that sets everything off as a period piece. Really nice combination. The stone does look like it could slide out but I am certain you have it secured.
Tanya
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
|
Post by peachfront on Jun 13, 2011 9:51:16 GMT -5
Ah, Rhodonite. I didn't think of that, which is funny since I used Rhodonite chippies...but there was no black or gray on the stone, just white. It cut faster/seemed softer than most of my Agate though, so I should have thought of it.
I did another necklace, this one more of a choker, to see if I could make a vintage button clasp in tigertail rather than the silk used here. It was a little bit of an argument with the stiff tigertail but I got 'er done. When I re-string this necklace on the tigertail, I'm going to cut off this primitive wrap and do a more secure one. So far, so good, the stone has not slipped out whilst wearing it, but it's the kind of thing you would throw on over a light turtleneck or a light blouse and jeans, and several folks have mentioned it doesn't look secure, so I'm going to re-do it to be sure. I'm quite active and nervous, jumping up and down all day long, so a casual necklace needs to be somewhat tough.
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