Ah December!
The sparkling end of the year is celebrated with three possible birthstones, each best known for beautiful shades of blue.
We have selected Turquoise to showcase in this, our latest of our Birthstone Bracelets.
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Admired since ancient times, turquoise is known for its distinct color, which ranges from powdery blue to greenish robin’s egg blue. It’s one of few minerals to lend its name to anything that resembles its striking color.
Turquoise was considered a sacred stone by the Native Americans, who used it as a powerful healing tool for creating a connection between heaven and Earth.
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Our kits include some small nuggets of real turquoise stone plus carved "Zuni" bears, also of turquoise. These are somewhat on the greener side of turquoise.
There are some "fake" turquoise chips that are a bluer turquoise in color and a bit larger.
The other beads, crystals, and gems in the mix include Swarovski crystals in 4mm size, 6mm Swarovski pearls, fire polish crystals in varying colors ranging from 4mm to 6mm to 8mm and even a few 10mm ones. We also have some 4mm aquamarinine beads and an assortment of 8/0 seed beads from Miyuki and Toho.
Yum!
All of these are either plays on turquoise (green turquoise or blue turquoise) or variations of crystal, some with soft turquoise or green colors as well.
The whole is threaded randomly on a 49 strand wire called Flex-Rite, in a silvery color (silver plated over steel). This wire is fairly easy to work with, being indeed very flexible. This gives a delicate lacy look overall.
Each kit contains everything you will need to make the bracelet as you see it here (except the needles -- we used size 2) -- the wire comes in a 30 foot spool. You will also have enough of the beads and crystals and semi-precious stones so you can make the bracelet as you see it here or even perhaps a wider cuff piece. You will have plenty of extra beads and wire so you can adjust the look to suit your own taste.
For finishing we used some clamps that are silver plated -- you will need pliers to squeeze them tight -- and split rings to join a magnetic clasp (your magnetic clasp might look somewhat different as we have limited quantities of these "barrel" ones).
BTW, if you would prefer a non-magnetic clasp just let us know via the Comments section as you check out.
Note that the kit will not automatically include the pattern. We offer three options:
I know some of you have already have made other bracelets of ours that are made along the same lines -- any of the Crystals and Wire bracelets we have carried in the past have used the same basic design pattern, the only real changes being the beads and the colors. If you feel you do not need another pattern, simply choose "No Pattern Needed."
If you would like a printed copy, please make sure the "Pattern" drop-down menu is set to that.
We also can email the pattern to you, though I have to do it manually and usually send it right before I mail the kit (please be patient). Just make sure that drop-down menu is set as you would like before you check out.
