I spent some time in my studio this week, in between various chores that needed doing. I got a lot done, including making a bunch of new pendants, finishing a pendant I’d started earlier in the year, and repairing a pendant that came back broken from consignment. (This is another reason I don’t like selling on consignment.) I also turned a fold-forming experiment into a pair of earrings. Here are the photos and details.
Kingman Turquoise on Sterling Silver Pendant
A pair of small Kingman Turquoise composite cabochons bezel-set on a texture sterling silver backplate. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)
Turquoise is an opaque, blue to green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. Kingman turquoise was first mined by the Navajo people as far back as 600 AD. It appears in a variety of hues, from electric blue to nearly white. Natural cracks in the stone display a silver or black matrix and give Kingman turquoise its distinctive look. This Kingman turquoise has been processed by using a stabilizer and great pressure to form a solid stone from smaller pieces of turquoise. These stones were acquired at gem and mineral shows in Arizona.
Some believe that turquoise is associated with personal protection that can help ease old emotional wounds and chronic stress.
Moss Agate on Sterling Silver Pendant
Round green moss agate cabochon double bezel set in sterling silver. A section of the backplate has been removed to allow light to shine through this translucent, crystalline stone. Setting measures 1.55 x 1.5 inches with an additional half in or so for the bail. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)
Moss agate is a mostly colorless translucent gemstone formed from silicon dioxide with inclusions of green hornblende (or chlorite) and iron. These oxidized minerals, which often appear in filament patterns, add green and/or reddish colors that can look like moss trapped in the stone. Despite its name, however, moss agate does not contain organic matter. Moss agate is found in India, China, and Russia, as well as in Colorado in the United States. This stone was acquired at a gem and mineral show in Arizona in 2022.
Some say that moss agate is a stone of abundance and has benefits for agricultural and financial pursuits. Agate is a birthstone for September and the zodiac sign Gemini.
Brazilian Agate on Sterling Silver Pendant
Triangular shaped Brazilian agate cabochon prong-set in hand-textured sterling silver. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)
Brazilian Agate is a transparent or translucent agate with stripes and patterns in a variety of colors. It is formed in decomposed volcanic ash and basalt from the late Permian age up to 275 million years ago. Brazilian Agate is found in the Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, Sao Paolo, and Minas Gerais areas of Brazil. This stone was acquired from an Ohio-based lapidary in 2019.
Some believe that Brazilian agate is brings protection, balances emotional and mental activity, and creates harmony between emotion and logic. It is thought to assist in maintaining good blood pressure and heart rate. It is also thought to be beneficial for constipation and minor injuries such as sprains or strains, cuts, and bruises.
Malachite on Sterling Silver Pendant
Rectangular malachite cabochon with fascinating bubble pattern double bezel set in sterling silver. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of this shop to see what’s available.)
Malachite, which gets its color from copper, forms in rounded nodules, grape shapes, cone shapes, or as stalactites/stalagmites. When cut, it features a banding of layers with dark and light rings or stripes. It was popular with ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for jewelry and amulets as well as powdered as eye shadow. It is a soft stone that is sensitive to heat, acids, ammonia, and hot water. Malachite can be found in Zaire, Australia, Chile, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, as well as Arizona in the United States. This stone was acquired at a gem and mineral show in Arizona in 2025.
Some say malachite’s powers include protection, power, peace, love, and success in business. It is worn to detect impending danger and is the guardian stone of travelers. They say it promotes inner peace and hope and provides protection and security.
Chevron Amethyst in Sterling Silver Pendant
Teardrop shaped chevron amethyst cabochon framed in sterling silver. This pendant measures approximately 2″ long, including the bail, and 3/4 inches wide. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)
Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the ancient Greek word for “intoxicate,” a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. Ancient Greeks wore amethyst and carved drinking vessels from it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication.
Chevron amethyst is a combination of amethyst and white quartz, blended in a V-striped or banded pattern. Some believe that chevron amethyst combines the strengthening and enhancing qualities of quartz with the stress relieving qualities of amethyst. Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February.
Larimar in Sterling Silver Pendant
A small, bright blue larimar cabochon framed in sterling silver. This pendant measures approximately 1 3/4″ tall (including the bail) and 3/4″ wide. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)
Larimar is the trade name for a rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite found only in the Dominican Republic. Its coloration varies from various shades of blue to green, but is most often found as a vibrant light blue.
Some believe that Larimar is an emblem of all that is calm and clear in this world. Although it is considered a water stone infused with a sense of cleansing calm, it was actually formed volcanically. That marriage of molten fire meets the Caribbean Sea means that Larimar can cool hotheads and provide inner strength and courage to those in need.
Dendritic Opal in Sterling Silver Pendant
A dendritic opal cabochon framed in sterling silver. This pendant measures approximately 2″ tall (including the bail) and 1″ wide. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)
Dendrite opal (also known as dendritic opal or moss opal) is a form of common opal that has dark tubular or orbicular inclusions called dendrites made of iron, manganese, or other metallic oxides. Dendritic plumes often look like mosses, ferns, or trees; good lapidaries cut dendrite opal to bring out these features. Opal is a birthstone for October and the zodiac sign Libra.
Opal is found primarily in Australia but can also be found in Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and Russia, as well as Idaho and Nevada in the United States.
Some say that opal has healing powers, brings good luck, reduces depression, and helps its wearer find true love. Dendrite opal is also believed to help wearers recover from difficult past lives and grow spiritually.
Kingman Turquoise with Bronze in Sterling Silver and Copper Pendant
A Kingman Turquoise with Bronze cabochon framed in sterling silver and copper. This pendant measures approximately 2 1/4 inches long, including the bail, and 3/4 inch wide. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)
Turquoise is an opaque, blue to green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. Kingman turquoise was first mined by the Navajo people as far back as 600 AD. It appears in a variety of hues, from electric blue to nearly white. Natural cracks in the stone display a silver or black matrix and give Kingman turquoise its distinctive look. This Kingman turquoise has been processed by adding bronze with a stabilizer under great pressure to form a solid stone. This stone was purchased from a gemstone dealer in Arizona in 2022.
Some believe that turquoise is associated with personal protection that can help ease old emotional wounds and chronic stress.
Sterling Silver Leaf Earrings
Sterling silver leaf earrings made with the fold-forming process. Leaf is approximately 1 inch long. Highly polished for a sparkling shine. Sterling silver ear wires with a small rubber stopper (not shown) that can be used to help prevent loss while wearing.
This is a prototype and currently the only pair available. I may make more with the same or a similar design depending on how well this pair sells.
Buy Online and Save!
All of these items — and any others currently in inventory — are available in my online shop until sold. Click here to visit my shop.
Keep in mind that pendants sold on my online shop come with a sterling silver chain. Because of the high cost of doing art shows and the increased cost of silver, chains will no longer be included with pendants sold at art shows.
Although I’ve been making beaded earrings for years now, I’ve changed things up by adding tube beads and sterling silver bali beads to the mix. Tube beads are long, slender beads, usually between 1/4 and 1/2 inch long; bali beads are flat spacer beads with tiny round bead shapes around their edges. The combination of those beads and the standard round 4mm gemstone beads and 2mm sterling silver beads I use in necklaces make a more interesting and elegant pair of earrings. 
See for yourself! Here are two examples of the five styles currently available: Tibetan Agate, Onyx, and Sterling Silver and Crazy Lace Agate and Sterling silver. I’ve got more styles coming soon.
I’ve been making these for a while and they’re very popular for their bright colors and durability. Now I’ve finally got them online where everyone can see (and buy?) them.
I’ve just added new copper cuff bracelets to inventory. Three different styles are currently available, but I expect to add more this week. Each bracelet is 1/2 inch wide, stamped or hammered, and antiqued to bring out the texture. They’re standard size, approximately 6 1/4 inches long and somewhat adjustable.
