September’s Jewels of the Month post featured one of October’s birthstones, the opal. Because the ring, necklace and earring designs I was showing have to be made to order, I figured I’d give people shopping for an October birthday a little bit of a head start.
Click to order.
While I was working on that post, I kept wishing I had more opal pieces to show you — specifically, ones featuring the gorgeous loose opals that I bought last year. I haven’t incorporated those gems into jewelry yet for a couple of reasons. First, as I explained in a recent YouTube video, most of my designs come from a story, rather than a gem. I conceive of the story, then the design, and then I do the metal work. Then I get to the gems.
None of my stories this year called for the loose opals. That said, even if I had an opal story that seemed urgent, I might not have gotten to it because customers’ orders are always my top priority. Customers always go first; I come last when it comes to new jewelry designs. That’s why I have a big backlog of design ideas, which I described in January.
I’ve finally had a eureka moment. Why not see if any of you readers fall in love with the opals I have available? I could create a custom design just for you … and, like I said, customers’ jewelry gets immediate attention. Then we’d both be happy: You’d have one-of-a-kind jewelry and I’d get to see my opals in action sooner rather than later. So October’s Jewels of the Month are really Gems of the Month.
My first candidate for the design of your dreams is this unique, irregular opal.
How fabulous would this be in the center of a statement ring, with the opal set so that you can see and enjoy the shape of the gem? It would also work as a pendant in a very clean setting. Or how about a pendant wrapped in gold wire? Or maybe you have your own vision for it! As I always say, if you can describe it, I can make it.
If you’re more of an earring person, I’ve also got a pair of earring-ready opals.
I’ve been daydreaming about a pair of intricate earrings with these opals surrounded by orange sapphires. However, I could also whip up a pair of simple but stunning stud earrings. Perhaps you envision something that falls in between streamlined studs and a bolder look.
If you’re interested in talking about a custom design using either the pair of opals or the one-of-a-kind single opal, holla at me at info at wendybrandes dot com. My opals feel so neglected in the safe. Don’t let them languish there any longer! Free the opals, dammit!