Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Jewel of the Month: Susan Earrings

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Centuries ago in blog years — or 16 months ago, according to the calendar — I held an online auction to raise money for NieNie, a blogger who had been severely injured in a plane crash. The highest bidder won blue topaz earrings, a specially engraved silver Diana necklace and immortality in the form of a namesake jewelry design. That high bidder was gorgeous blogger Deja Pseu, known in the non-blog world as Susan, who generously contributed $1,500 towards NieNie’s medical expenses.

I immediately asked Susan what kind of jewelry she’d want to carry her name and she expressed a preference for earrings and green gemstones. I didn’t immediately get to work. I could have gone the easy route and put two little tourmalines in simple prong settings to create a pair of studs, but something so plain didn’t scream “immortality” to me. I wanted to create true art in Susan’s honor. It turns out that art takes a while. Here, at last, are the earrings that put Susan on a level with Elizabeth I, Nefertiti and all the other memorable women who inspire my jewelry.

Click for more information on the Susan earrings. Photograph by SquareMoose.

These spectacular 1 1/2″ long chandelier earrings boast 16.39 carats of peridot and 1.41 carats of diamonds. The 18K gold wire work is done by hand, so each pair of Susan earrings will be as unique as their namesake. The style can also be made with other gems for a completely couture experience.

Thank you, Susan, for being a wonderful inspiration.  And thanks once again to all my non-auction-winning readers who contributed an additional $1,415 to NieNie’s fund. You peeps rock … no … you shine! Like diamonds and peridot.

Previous Jewel of the Month posts:

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holy moly – they are vibrant! They remind me – ok, don’t think I’m crazy – of a formal French garden. Very symmetrical and elegant.

  11. Wendy, it was so worth the wait to see this fabulous design! You’re a wonderful person to have helped raise money for NieNie. I’m honored to have been able to help, and to have played some part in inspiring these gorgeous earrings.

  12. And per your commentary on my teefus, I wish I had one to share. I brush twice a day and floss when I remember that I should be flossing…which isn’t that often. I lucked out; never needed braces!

  19. Love the vibrant green of the peridots. I think this is one of the few times I truly love coloured gemstones in a gold setting. Usually the gold takes away from the vibrant colours.

    I love the symmetry of the earrings as well. Great design!

  20. ZOMG! (<~my anti-spam word!) These are splendid! I find peridots so beautiful, actually they're probably my fav stone out of them all. And I love the new design; as with most things of value it was worth the wait.
    XXX
    Suzanne

  21. Beautiful! This sounds a little absurd, but the fact that there are perfect isosceles triangles in this design makes me so happy.

  28. Gorgeous! Big and bold! Peridot is my husband and my oldest son’s birthstone. And Wendy, you have a heart of gold. All of you that did this benefit.

  35. this account made me tear up.glad to know that amazing people still exist on earth. Wendy you have outdone yourself with these earrings!!!! you did Susan proud! what an honour to have a design named after oneself.wonderful.

  39. These are absolutely beautiful.

    I actually learned about NieNie through your auction posts! I think it’s so wonderful you sponsored an auction for such a worthy lady.

  50. Wow these earrings are stunning! She must feel so honoured to have something so beautiful named for her. I love the use of green stones, you just don’t see enough green in jewelry imo.