Autumn Honey -Jewelry Wardrobe Inspiration

I know the stores have seemed to have skipped over Thanksgiving and are now pushing Christmas already. But for me -it's still autumn! What better way to enjoy the season than with a little Autumn Honey?!

Autumn Honey by crystalallure featuring Franco Sarto shoes

Okay, the black cat...yeah, nothing to do with the inspiration but I love my black cat (Cookie Toe, a.k.a. Tookie-Tookie) and Halloween is right around the corner. Besides the kitty coordinates with the boots! Right?! :-)

You can get both the Autumn Sun Gold Topaz Crystal Earrings (E049) and Autumn Honey Carnelian Topaz Crystal Beaded Necklace (N039) at Crystal Allure Jewelry Creations.

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Mary Kay's Custom Swarovski Crystal Vintage Redux

My favorite customer, Mary Kay, came to me with three different pieces of vintage jewelry that she had obtained through a family inheritance and an estate sale. She asked me to redesign the pieces to create a 3pc jewelry set. Her only requests were to update the style of the jewelry, have the necklace be adjustable, have a removable pendant and the earwires be leverbacks. Everything else she left up to me.

I quickly discovered that two of the Swarovski crystals in the design were no longer available but that did not hinder my design process. Since the original bracelet was a two-strand, it provided more than enough crystals to work with. I added more sterling silver, a few soft blue Swarovski crystals and the removable trigger clasp for the pendant on the necklace.

This custom project did pose a few challenges but after thinking about it long enough and then just sitting down at the studio table, it all came together in literally one night. I may have restrung the necklace three or more times, but the end result is a stunning 3pc Swarovski Crystal jewelry set -vintage redux!!

The original pieces -DRAB!!!
The redux with style for today's woman -FAB!!!!
With only having seen a picture so far of the set, Mary Kay's response was this:
"OMG, the set is absolutely gorgeous!!!"

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Rhodonite vs. Rhodolite Gemstone

Garnet is a popular beaded jewelry component and has been used since the bronze age as an ornamental gemstone. The color range of garnets run from reds to greens.

Rhodonite Gemstone Beaded Necklace (N071)

Rhodonite

The rhodonite gemstone is a stone of grace, elegance and gets its' name from the Greek word for rose, rhodon.

Giving rhodonite its' distinctive appearance are black manganese oxide veins running through its' beautiful muted rose-pink color.

This uniqueness in its' coloring is why rhodonite is carved into beads and ornamental objects. In 18th century Russia, it was used extensively for decorating the Russian court.

Rhodonite is mined in the United States, Brazil, India, and Russia and is the official gem of Massachusetts.

Rhodolite

Rhodolite comes from the garnet family and is a mixed crystal of almandine and pyrope. It, too, gets its' name from the Greek word "rhodon", meaning rose.


Rhodolite Garnet Gemstone Beaded Bracelet (B124)

The rhodolite garnet generally features a magnificent velvety red with a fine violet or raspberry-red undertone. This "purple-red" color is the most sought after color for rhodolite.

This coloration and the commonly inclusion-free nature of the rhodolite garnet has led to it being used as a semi-precious gemstone.

Rhodolite is a beautiful stone that tends to be lighter in color than most other kinds of red garnet. It can easily be confused with ruby because of the similarity in color. However, rhodolite garnet is not artificially enhanced in any way.

Originally found in the USA, it now comes mainly from the gemstone mines in East Africa, India and Sri Lanka.

A fun-fact about rhodolite garnet:
At the auction of the Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis at Sotheby's in 1996, a striking cabochon garnet flower brooch from the 19th century was sold for $145,000.

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NEW Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Bracelet Added

Some of our first handmade beaded bracelets and awareness bracelets designs were in support of cystic fibrosis. By popular request, one of our newest designs is a sparkling strand of crystals in support of cystic fibrosis.

Sterling Purple Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Bracelet (B166)
Purple is the awareness support color for cystic fibrosis, which is often referred to as 'sixty five roses' by young children.

A sophisticated strand of sparkling purple Swarovski Austrian Crystals and Bali accented with pearls make up this stunning handmade beaded bracelet designed to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis. Finished with a sterling silver awareness ribbon charm and our signature jewelry tag.

Beaded Awareness Bracelet measures 7-1/2"

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NEW Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Beaded Necklace -65 Roses

The first of its' kind is finally here! This handmade beaded necklace symbolizes the term 65 Roses (cystic fibrosis, is often referred to as 'sixty five roses' by young children).

The pendant bail is also a one of a kind designer original and the bead pattern is so unique that it incorporates 65 crystals throughout the beaded necklace. Absolutely beautiful!

65 Roses Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Necklace (N088)
Purple is the awareness support color for cystic fibrosis, which is often referred to as '65 Roses' by young children.

This handmade beaded awareness necklace was designed with a one-of-a-kind designer original handcrafted pendant bail to showcase the sterling silver rose charm. Adding to this necklaces' unique design is beaded pattern sets of 6 and 5 purple amethyst Swarovski Austrian Crystals to symbolize 65 Roses and carries a full 65 Swarovski Crystals in the design. Crystals are accented by Swarovski Pearls and Bali.

Beaded Awareness Necklace measures 18-1/4"

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NEW Handmade Fall Beaded Earrings

The bounties of autumn lend inspiration to our newest fall beaded jewelry with handmade earrings in autumnal colors of orange, russet, brown and black.

Stacked Gourds Crystal Lampwork Beaded Earrings E242
A lovely topaz shaded lampwork bead showcasing a black striped core is the base of these stacked gourd handmade beaded earrings. Accented with Swarovski Crystal in the most beautiful shades of autumn, 14k antiqued goldfilled Bali and 14k goldfilled leverback earwires. Length: 1-1/4" from bottom of earwire.

Autumn Maize Crystal Beaded Earrings E196
A brilliant transparent orange indian glass barrel is flanked by brass heishi discs and lightly smoked topaz Swarovski Crystals. The orange glass barrel is called "white heart barrels" because of the white core of the bead. Handmade beaded earrings are finished with 14k goldfill french hook earwires. Length: 1-1/4" from bottom of earwire.

Smoky Quartz Gemstone Crystal Beaded Earrings E244
Sultry brown smoky quartz faceted gemstones are accented with sterling silver bead caps and topaz Swarovski Crystals in this handmade beaded earrings design. Finished with sterling silver french hook earwires. Length: 1-1/4" from bottom of earwires.

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2009 Fall Beaded Jewelry Colors Trend Report

Happy Autumn to everyone!

Our goal at Crystal Allure is to strike a balance with our jewelry designs that will easily transition from day into night. This is why you'll find our mixing of opaque and semi precious stones with hints of crystal works so well in our designs. We design pieces that have longevity and versatility for a look of classic femininity with a dash of color.

If you ask 10 different people what the "hot" colors and fashions of the fall season will be, you will get 10 different answers. Although we do not follow the latest trends and fashions, per se, to make it easy for you to coordinate your wardrobe with accessories, we have researched and compiled what we feel will be the colors of the upcoming fall and winter seasons. Look for some of these colors in our newest beaded jewelry designs.

We start the season with classic autumnal colors and then transition during the season into winter with vibrant jewel tone colors. These jewel tone colors will carry you into the winter season with the blues ruling the fall/winter season!

JEWELRY MUST HAVES
Statement Necklaces make a great focal for any outfit. The one below features a filigree "snowflake" metal pendant accented with black Swarovski Crystals, blue lapis gemstones and sterling silver.

Blue Lapis Snowflake Crystal Beaded Necklace (N069)

Cuff Bracelets whether beaded, wire-wrapped or memory wire bracelets, you'll definately want to get at least one cuff bracelet in your jewelry collection this season. This cuff bracelet is an abundance of autumnal color with oak leaf charms uniquely designed as a cuff bracelet using memory wire.

Autumn Splendor Czech Leaf Charm Cuff Beaded Bracelet (B121)

Closer to the holidays, Chandelier Earrings, in jewel tone colors will be the "it" accessory to have in your collection. Prefer the classic look? You can still enjoy chandelier earrings but instead, opt for designs with crystal shimmer -think Crystal Ice Swarovski Crystal beaded jewelry by Crystal Allure!

FASHION ON A BUDGET
I think we all agree, we are on a perpetual quest to be fashionable but on a budget. That being said, how do you incorporate the colors of the season into your wardrobe without breaking the bank?

Choose pants, jackets and sweaters in neutral shades (black, brown, grey, etc) and add seasonal color to your basics with blouses, jewelry and accessories.

Keep a watch out on the Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry Designs website for new handmade Fall Beaded Jewelry designs. Better still, sign up for the newsletter and you'll be notified when new designs roll out!

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