The Design Archive

Desert Skies

Large faceted flat moukaite stones, strung as a choker length necklace with small blue lace agate and Bali silver beads. Fastens with an unusual interlocking ring sterling silver clasp.

Moukaite is a member of the jasper family of minerals. The name jasper derives from the Greek and means "spotted stone". Other varieties are different colours and have their own descriptive names, such as ocean jasper or zebra jasper. Moukaite is a form found in Australia.

The colours in this piece are how I would imagine a desert landscape as the sun fades into a clear blue evening sky.

Blue Eyed Beauty

White jade pendant with peach boy motif on one side and seal script characters on the rverse, hanging from a necklace of perfectly round hawks eye beads with carved white jade and hematine accent beads. Dtrung on cord with Chinese knots and fastening with silver heart shaped toggle clasp.

The hawks eye stone has numerous fibre like inclusions which create a cat's eye effect once it is cut and polished. The more common brown variety is known as tiger eye, and the deep red as ox eye.

The peach is considered a most auspicious fruit and many superstitions surround it. In Japan the hero Momotaro, who was renowned for conquering demons, was said to have been born from a peach. While in China the god of longevity is sometimes depicted as issuing from a peach.

Flowers for Lakshmi

Collar shaped necklace of smoky quartz faceted briolettes, separated by faceted European glass crystals. Fastens with gold plated silver clasp with decorative tassel at the back.

The design of this necklace was inspired by thoughts of Indian jewelry. The briolette cut and other teardrop or lotus bud shapes are a popular component of many Indian pieces.

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune. She is often depicted as a golden figure sitting on a lotus flower, symbol of spiritual purity and immortality.

Brunos Sweeties

A selection of Murano glass beads, strung with large Chinese knots, which prevent the beads from chipping each other.

Venice has been a leading producer of glass since the mid fourteenth century. Early glassmaking secrets were guarded on pain of death. Production was moved to the island of Murano to protect the city from fires caused by the glassmakers furnaces.

I was sold this group of beads by a man called Bruno, hence the name of the piece.

Zebra Tracks

Handmade Murano glass beads suspended on cord with Chinese knots.

Lampworked beads are made individually on a rod or mandrel held over a small flame. These have a white base colour which is decorated with black stringer work and dots.

I had to buy two short strands of beads and then re string them to get this longer piece which has all the interesting shapes and patterns.

Previous page of Design Archive