Glass, Mineral, and Pearl Jewelry
A simple rectangle, circle, or teardrop of glass or polished mineral embellished with structured or free-form wire-wrapping techniques may become one of the most stunning focal points of your jewelry collection !
The technique of wire wrapping dates back to ancient Egypt. Heirloom quality pieces are created from 14K rolled gold, sterling or argentium (tarnish restistant) silver, or copper wire, which is bent, twisted, looped and tucked to create a unique piece of jewelry. No soldering or heat is used as the wire is all hand and wrist manipulated. Rarely can the same design be duplicated.
Tiny hand-cut pieces of dichroic and coloured glass are carefully arranged and stacked in pleasing designs. Fired at temperatures up to 1500 degrees F, then slowly cooled, the layers merge into cabochons of gloriously brilliant colors, creating dazzling one-of-a-kind pieces which glitter and shimmer. This quality enhances the uniqueness of the jewelry and makes each piece a collector’s item.
Often a favourite in creating wedding jewelry, many sizes, shapes and colours of freshwater pearls are used to create necklaces and bracelets. Fabulous pendants are created from hemispherical Mabe pearls, which form against the inside of the oyster’s shell.
Lapis Lazuli, Tourmaline, Rhodochrosite, Onyx, Amethyst, Crazy Lace Agate and many other beautiful minerals can be fashioned into fine jewelry by wire-wrapping in precious metals.