When I showed A a video of the earrings, she had only one word, "sublime!"
With that single word, I knew the bride had found her accessories for her special day! Truly a celebration of new beginnings, for her as a bride, and for me, my first commission for someone's most important day in her life. I am honoured indeed.
“The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues." - Elizabeth Taylor
L was a very virtuous lady with a very annoying virtue...she loved clutching her pearls, but not just any pearls. L had a larger than life personality, an ego that filled a room before she entered, so only a majestic strand of psychedelic colour pearls would do. L directed me to drape her neck with baroque of all colours, but mainly cream, interspersed with deep purple and peachy-pink. She also wanted to break up the monotony of pearls with something unexpected - agate. Plucking out the piece de resistance from my treasure trove of gemstones, she retrieved a massive piece of banded agate. Spurred by her find, L squealed when she fished out 2 large barrels of blue lace agate.
Next came the art of arrangement. My hands shook in trying to place the pearls in order of colour, shape and iridescence. I slotted the agate gingerly between the pearls and showed L the result, waiting with bated breath for her approval.
L only had 1 question, "do you have a clasp for the strand, in case the necklace can't fit over my brainy crown?" Of course I did! Adding a gold glided toggle clasp, L finally nodded with approval and smiled. Yay! A dramatic customisation done and dusted!
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Mother and daughter share a bond like no other. A mini-me in the daughter. A figure to look up to in the mother. In this post, we created 2 pairs of earrings in matching purple iridescent Edison pearls, each pair with their respective owners’ birthstone to stamp their individuality.
As you can see, these pearls are smooth surface tear drop shaped. The mirrored surface containing hints of gold and moss green, emphasising the deep purples emanating from the nacre.
These are set in silver, as a nod to the youthful mother and daughter combo. After all, the mother is only in her 30s and her daughter just had her tender ears pierced 2 months ago!! Love what you see? Perhaps you have a young daughter to rock these pearls together? Or a mummy to play dress up with? Maybe a sister, cousin or BFF to don twinning earrings? These are for you!
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A while ago I fashioned a pair of gorgeous baroque pearl earrings for Ivette, who loved it so much that she not only requested for a matching necklace, but also an additional similar pair of earrings with emerald clusters for her mother! As requested, I dressed these 3A grade baroque pearls up with lively zambia emerald clusters. The emeralds brought a beautiful vitality and freshness to match the classy, dainty vibe of the baroque pearls. I can imagine Ivette and her mother making a statement at family socials with this subtle, timeless look - what a wonderful way to enhance the bond between a mother and daughter!
Baroque pearls are one of my top-selling gemstones, especially for custom orders. If you would like to have your very own custom baroque pearl earring or pendant design, be sure to reach out via DM with your idea or inspiration, and we can work together to create the ideal design for you!
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What's that in my hand, you say? Why, it's clearly a flashy labradorite carved squirrel!
With its beady eyes trained on you in a crouched position (as if ready to pounce) and unmistakable flash of blue and green streaks, the squirrel was both adorable and magnificent at the same time. Look closer at the fine specimen nestling on my fingers and you'd agree... Holding that thought, a design started to bubble up. But this time, you asked for something different. You didn't want the usual colourful burst of colours, nor the complementary shades of the sea. You issued a tall order! Something with your birth stone in mind...opals! Yet, also something that was chic and monochrome, to suit your urban Sydney lifestyle. What shall I conjure for you? I started to sweat. Could I deliver what you ordered in vague notes?
Heck, of course I delivered! I was going to do absolute justice to the flashy squirrel and the birthday girl, if it's the last thing I do!
Conceptualisation stage...see ye, look ye! But you started to doubt. You couldn't visualise the end-product. Your hubby fell silent when his view was sought.
But you still held steadfast to your trust in me. I toiled through the night for something magical for you. Your shiny eyes said it all... Happy birthday, October babe!!
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A mother's love is unparalleled. Some mothers dream of little girls to play dress up. Others daydream of being BFFs with their offspring. It's often the case these days for mummies to customise pieces with their family birthstones. L approached me with her request, but somewhat different. She's decided to stop at 3 kids and wanted a special piece made with her family birthstones.
L commissioned me to hunt for AAAA white pearls, all of same length but of varying shapes. A unique baroque to represent each son, the whitest of white I could source to signify their innocence, the brightest of bright to contrast against their birthstones. The pearls I found passed muster! Look what we got! 😍😍😍 But what shall we do with them? I wondered and pondered. 3 is a crowd for earrings, and too lopsided for a sensible lariat.
L had her own ideas. She asked for 3 detachable pendants arranged on a gold chain in order of her sons' births. L didn't forget her husband. She asked for a large amethyst (his birthstone) teardrop on the chain extension to represent his solid support of her at all times (the man's got her back!). I worked on one pearl first, showed L the result. She approved and loved the colour gradient draping the pearl!
Spurred by L's special piece, I quickly assembled the rest chronologically. See the thought process in the pic - WIP!
I was most excited to wrap up the masterpiece and observe L's reaction.
L's remarks upon receipt, "Befitting for royalty! For me, a queen to rule them all...!" I'm knackered from rushing the order but lived for this moment of appreciation from customers.
P. S. Did anyone notice that each chain has a different number of Ethiopian opals flanking each baroque? The meaning behind...? 😊
]]>Despite some degree of trypophobia, I was drawn to the humble ammonite mollusk while sourcing for new and interesting material. It is one of the most common fossil found in marine rocks, identifiable by their coiled, croissant shape with distinct circles marked within each half when split. I have a couple of large ones each the size of my head at home sitting proudly on my shelves. You can see them here in my video. 😆
Extinction of the ammonite mollusk coincided with the disappearance of dinosaurs. Nonetheless, the ammonite is believed to bring wealth to its owner, promise of career upswing when placed at work, and deliver an overall sense of wellbeing to its wearer. 😊
The sheer variety of size allows one to showcase them in grand fashion at home or adorn a woman's ears simply. I'm proud to walk this journey with a customer recently. It started with C asking for ammonite earrings to show her kids who were learning about renewable energy and fossil fuel. I had just brought in a few pairs of ammonite halves in dainty sizes. Being adventurous with colours, C asked for 3 different combinations of gems as visual aids against the fossil- see 2nd pic.
These were clearly unusual colour combination of gems. I was excited to customise for a daring customer and waited with bated breath...which combination would blow her away?
Clearly, C went for the loudest and boldest. To highlight the silvery white outlines of the fossil, C matched the earrings with silver hooks. 💓💓💓
Outcome? Res ipsa loquitur....tada!
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I’ve been working on this custom order bi-colour quartz and multi colour tourmalines earrings and necklace set the past few days. Couldn’t resist posting about them (thanks so much B for letting me do so). Really loving the vivid and striking colours and it’s such a cheery piece!
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These are an assortment of light champagne, Peachy pink hue, pink, purple hue and white AAA fresh water baroque pearls with excellent lustre and iridescence. Size: 22x14mm - 25x15mm. Very limited quantities available on a first come, first served basis. Custom work turnaround time is 3-5 working days.
Simply pick the stone that catches your fancy and send me a message on Instagram: @jewellery_haven.
What's so good about a custom design?
You'll get an earring or necklace that's made especially for you or your loved one, and this will not be available on the main store.
The cost:
Typically, it depends on the gemstones used in the design. Prices start from US$120 for a simple pair with ear hooks.
Do I get to dictate exactly how the design looks like?
Not fully, and I hope you understand. The Jewellery Haven style is extremely distinct, and will continue to be displayed even in custom designs.
With that being said, please tell me what gemstones you like, as well as your favourite colours!
This is so cool. How can I be kept in the loop for your upcoming gemstones?
I'll release the gemstones available for custom designs each month, via my blog and other communication platforms like email and social media.
To read more about custom designs, please go here.
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