In 2007, I proved that Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of Henry VIII, was a damn genius. Geniuses are very inspiring, so I created an 18K gold and onyx necklace in Anne’s honor.
Cleves Swan Necklace. Click to shop.
The necklace features a swan because Anne was born in Schwanenburg (Swan Castle). I was so taken with my Cleves swan that I created a ring to match. It started out as a wax model …
Click for original post.
… and turned into an 18K yellow gold ring set with 140 diamonds. I later revised the design to use fewer stones, but this is a photo of the original sample.
Cleves ring in 18K yellow gold and diamonds. Click to shop.
Whenever I can, I do lower-priced versions of my designs. In this case, I did a silver Cleves ring with just two diamond eyes.
The Cleves ring in silver. Click to shop.
When Black Swan came out, I simply had to go back to 18K gold to do a black-diamond version of the ring.
Cleves ring in 18K yellow gold and black diamonds. Click to shop.
While I was working on the black-swan Cleves ring, I realized I still had some onyx ovals like the one I used in the original Cleves necklace. I figured it was time to do some earrings. My ideas generally start with rings and necklaces and sometimes extend to earrings. I find rings and necklaces more inspiring, because I can do much more with a design when I don’t have to worry about how much it weighs. Of course, some designers don’t care about the comfort of their clients and do very heavy earrings, but I want everyone to be comfortable. Oddly, I hadn’t really considered my reason for preferring rings and necklaces until last week when, while I was visiting my peeps at Broken English Jewelry, the beauteous and charming CSI: Miami actress Emily Procter came into the store. I was listening to a conversation she was having with gorgeous store employee Kelly. When I heard Kelly mention another designer’s emphasis on rings and necklaces, I interrupted with my explanation. Then I thought, “Oh, that’s why I do it that way.” I got to meet an actress and have an epiphany in the same moment! Very efficient, no?
Anyway, while I was considering a Cleves earring design, I decided that doing the gold swan over the onyx, the way I did on the necklace, was going to be too hard on the earlobes, especially because I was going to have to use more metal to attach the earrings to the ears. I decided to focus on that attachment part. I took the wings from the Cleves rings, made them a little bigger and used them as the swan element of the earrings. I livened up the wings with .41 carats of diamonds. Here is the result.
Cleves earrings in 18K yellow gold, onyx and diamonds. Click to shop. Photo by SquareMoose.
These 2 1/4″ earrings are definitely black-tie-worthy. That’s how I plan to wear them. Though you could also wear them to the supermarket. Who’s gonna stop you? Wear what you want!
Fancy! I love the wing element.
Wendy, I love reading about your creative process and seeing the results.
I find the jewelry process very interesting and reading about the women behind the inspiration is a delightful reading.
Have a great week,
Beautiful. The wing element adds an extra special touch to the onyx ovals.
Hi Wendy, I loooove these new earrings – they look very deco. Gorgeous! x
I used to dance the Swan lake and have never ever ceased loving the swanitude!
Elegant, poised, going their own way…
that demanding Russian choreographer’s voice still echoing in my head… pachlii – hurry up!
Fleeting towards a free fly! Relaxing and being glamorous – naturally, just like swans.
Those earrings are amazing. I love how you incorporated the swan element into the attachment part.
I need to start playing the lotto and setting up a “Wendy B” Fund with any and all winnings.
the black swan inspiration made such a pretty ring! they’re all very elegant and neat to see the before wax product turning into a final piece!
Surviving Henry was definitely genius and these black earrings take my breath away. Also very much in love with the silver Cleves swan ring. You’re so spot on, Wendy!
Those are perfect black tie earrings! And I hardly ever wear earrings as I can’t stand the weight pulling on my lobes, it’s so great that you are thinking of comfort.
Good for both black-tie and black-tee. Love!
Beautiful!
Poor old Anne of Cleves and her reputation as an unattractive woman. Those rings are beautiful, I love the silver one. xxx
Beyond Wendy!!!
Best for naked! Very sexay earbobs!!
I heart those earrings!
Oh my, that Cleves ring with the black diamonds is calling my name! One day, one day I will buy loads of your beautiful creations dear! Your pieces are so lovely. 🙂
My God! These pieces are absolutely brilliant! The black swan version is exactly that – it evoked moving images of the movie when I first saw it!
Ooooh nifty. Would buy for a girlfriend I knew who liked swans.
Oh darling, I gasped when I saw the earrings. I would so love to wear one of your pieces. Some day! Hugs to you
You’re so very talented; I absolutely love these designs.
Thank you!
Those are gorgeous!