 Large Hammered Aluminum Nu Gold Earrings with Garnets These elegant drop earrings are handcrafted in a chic, elongated triangular shape with a wire wrapped interior for remarkable texture. Garnet gemstone beads, set on Nu Gold wire inside of the aluminum rims, add eye-catching color to complete this spectacular look.These super light-weight earrings are guaranteed to turn heads. Price:$95.00 |
Garnet Wire Wrapped Aluminum Triangular Earrings – Large
January 16, 2011 By 25 Comments
Pearl Earrings
November 15, 2010 By 2 Comments
Sterling Silver Amber Chainmail Earrings
Sterling Silver Amber Chainmail Earrings
Pearl Earrings – A Basic Necessity
If you are looking for a classic addition to any outfit, pearl earrings are a guaranteed hit. Simultaneously dazzling and elegant, they are suitable for any formal function or office meeting. Whether chosen for lunch at your favorite restaurant or to complement that floral top or fine-cut summer dress, pearl earrings are the perfect addition to any outfit.
Nature is such a perfectionist, especially when it comes to the pearl. As the only gemstone which does not require any cutting or polishing, it is only expected that craftsmen such as John S. Brana would choose to use these semi-precious stones in their collections. Pearl earrings have been created for centuries, and the image of a lady sporting these shining stones on her earlobes is a picture of style that will last throughout the ages.
Hammered Fine Silver Tear Drop Earrings with Blue Freshwater Pearls
Pearl Earrings Come in a Variety of Colors
One attribute to pearls, which makes them almost irresistible for use in earrings, is that they can have different colored hues. John S. Brana has used both the lavender and light blue varieties to create some dazzling freshwater pearl earrings. Whether you choose a long, hanging design, or a simple single stone embedded into the earring, pearls are a definite winner when it comes to fine jewelry.
For a bit of variety, pearls also mix well with other gemstones to create some beautiful patterns and displays of color. One outstanding design example is freshwater pearls combined with garnets in John S. Brana’s hammered fine silver earrings. Of course, there are many more varieties, ensuring that anyone can choose one, regardless of their style or taste.
Matching Sets – Necklaces, Bracelets, and Pearl Earrings
Pearl earrings of any sort will make a fantastic addition to anyone’s personal jewelry collection. They work well on their own, or in creating a set with a pearl necklace or one or two pearl bracelets. Discover the magic of these flawless gemstones today.
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Pearl Jewelry – Wear Nature’s Stunning Beauty
August 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl
The Uniqueness of Pearl Jewelry
Amongst all the gems, pearls are the most unique. They are the only stone which does not require any additional cutting and polishing by a master jeweler. Pearls are made of nacre, which is already highly lustrous, meaning that these stunning gems can be added to any piece of jewelry very easily. For this reason, pearls have been used for centuries worldwide. Previously, people had to dive for them in the wilds, whereas now, they are simply farmed. Examples of pearl jewelry are found in John S. Brana’s Sea Cliff collection where it is used for subtle appearance enhancements or to make much bolder statements.
Freshwater and Saltwater Pearls
There are two types of pearls, saltwater and freshwater. Jewelers, such as John S. Brana, use the freshwater variety which comes in a greater number of shapes and sizes. One of the most appealing types is the Keishi pearl which comes in a fantastic array of irregular, but natural-looking shapes. These gems add a very unique appearance to any jewelry that they are added to. Because none of them look alike, they can be used to create necklaces or earrings which are one-of-a-kind works of art. This adds to their overall appeal and makes them highly sought after.
Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace
For some examples of how pearls are used within jewelry, have a look at the collection of items from John S. Brana with pieces such as fine silver earrings containing garnets and pearls, and necklaces made of amethyst and Keishi pearls.
The Pearl – June’s Birthstone
With its amazing appearance and versatility, the pearl is a gem which can be worn anywhere on any occasion. Pearl jewelry is a great gift idea for that special someone as it fits in with numerous styles and tastes. The pearl is also the birthstone for anyone born in June, and will make a great belated birthday present!
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Metalsmithing 101 – The Jewelers Toolbox
August 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
14K Gold Filled Chased Bangle Bracelet
Techniques of Master Jewelers
Working and shaping metal into exquisite pieces of jewelry takes time, patience and the knowledge of various metalworking techniques such as chasing, repoussé, hammering and piercing. Expert craftsmen, like John S. Brana, use a variety of techniques on each piece of jewelry to create the various masterpieces within their collection.
Chasing and repoussé are both very similar techniques used to form patterns on the surface of a metal. A jeweler chases metal by forming imprints on it without altering the reverse side. These markings are clearly seen on the chased gold and copper bracelets by John S. Brana. With repoussé, a raised design is formed on the front by working the back of a metal sheet.
Basic Jewelers Tools
Hammering is the most basic technique but is also one of the most versatile. By striking hot or cold metal with a hammer, the craftsman is able to bend and twist it as desired. Jewelers typically use an iron bench block for a solid base and a highly polished planishing hammer so as not to leave unwanted marks on the metal’s surface after it has been shaped.
Chased Copper Triangle Earrings with Garnets
Piercing with a Jewelers Saw
Piercing is exactly what it sounds like. The jeweler will remove pieces out of a metal surface and create intricate shapes by using a very fine saw blade. A drill will have to be used first if the hole is to be made in the center of the metal sheet. For an example of this, have a look at the chased copper earrings with garnets by John S. Brana. These feature an oval hole which would have been created by piercing.
Using a combination of these techniques, jewelers all over the globe are now creating stunning earrings, necklaces and bracelets in a multitude of designs, so that we can enjoy wearing a range of accessories while out and about.
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Beaded Gemstone Jewelry: Make a Statement
March 23, 2009 By 4 Comments
18K Hammered Gold Cuff with 22K Gold Fleur Di Lis Earrings with Carnelian
When it comes to elegance, nothing really beats a statement piece of jewelry. Multi-strand gemstone necklaces add not only color, but dimension to any ensemble and express your mood, your style, and your personality. Virtually endless in styles and character, beaded gemstone jewelry offers some of the most unique designs and styles of jewelry available. Beaded gemstone jewelry is traditionally made using semi-precious, rather than precious, stones.
Everyone knows a precious stone when they see one. The diamond, a “girl’s best friend”, a ruby, a sapphire, and an emerald. These stones are loosely recognized as a step above semi-precious stones. Semi-precious stones include those which are commonly found in more economically priced jewelry, such as turquoise, amethyst, and garnet. Although these stones are often less expensive, that doesn’t mean that they are in any way inferior in quality to traditional precious stones. In fact, many quality jewelers will combine precious and semi-precious stones in one piece.
The gemstones found in beaded jewelry can be found in many different forms. Although most pieces will be small in size, they may or may not be polished or uniform in size. With semi-precious stones, the rarity of their color, clarity, or other qualities may add to their value – and jewelers often do not want to polish out those characteristics. This type of jewelry can be a unique addition to any wardrobe, both for a man and a woman. Many women choose necklaces and bracelets made from beaded turquoise or rose quartz, and beaded earrings made from amethyst or garnets are also popular. For men, darker and more masculine stones such as lapis, amethyst, or pyrite are often found. This type of jewelry is not limited to formal functions – beaded gemstone jewelry can be appropriate for just about any occasion.
Click Here To Find Beaded Gemstone Jewelry
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Model Apryl Orr wears selections from the Barbary Coast Collection
August 27, 2008 By 11 Comments
Dynamic shapes and countless layers of richly textured semi-precious gemstones define this show stopping collection which also features gold vermeil, 14K gold, and fine and sterling silver. For those who love a statement piece, the Barbary Coast collection is perfect for those who choose to build an ensemble around their jewelry.
 Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection - Faceted Garnets and Citrine Necklace Model Apryl Orr wears Faceted Garnets with Citrine Flowers and 24K Gold seed beaded necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection, with 14K Gold-filled Fold Formed earrings from the Sea Cliff Collection, and 7 carat Marquise Cut Citrine Cocktail ring from the Pacific Heights Collection. Photography by Klaus Lange. |
 Barbary Coast Collection - Onyx Earrings and Amber, Crystal Quartz Necklace Model Apryl Orr wears Onyx earrings and Clear Quartz, Amber, and Onyx necklace and matching bracelet from the Barbary Coast Collection, with a 10 carat Marquise Cut Citrine Cocktail ring from the Pacific Heights Collection. Photography by Klaus Lange. |
 Nob Hill Filigree Jewelry and Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection Model Apryl Orr wears Amber and Clear Quartz necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection, 18K Gold and Fine Silver Filigree earrings from the Nob Hill Collection, 18K Gold Corrugated Cuff and Sterling Silver Marquise Cut Citrine Cocktail ring from the SoMa Collection. Photography by Klaus Lange. |
 18K Hammered Gold Cuff with Brazilian Fire Agate Necklace Model Apryl Orr wears Brazilian Fire Agate necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection, 14K Gold-filled Hammered Cuff from the SoMa Collection, and 14K Gold Fleur-de-lis Carnelian earrings from the Nob Hill Collection. Photography and Red Wheat silk sarong by Klaus Lange. |
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John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry Accessorizes Fashion Model 2008
June 13, 2008 By 5 Comments
Amber Citrine Crystal Quartz Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Veronica wears Crystal Quartz – Amber – Citrine Necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection.
Barbary Coast Garnet Earrings and Gemstone Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Quincy wears Garnet Wire Wrapped earrings
and Pink Coral, Garnets, and Citrine necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection.
Barbary Coast Amber Gemstone Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Quincy wears Amber and Onyx necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection.
Chalk Turquoise Necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Merissa wears a Green Chalk Turquoise necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection and Fine Silver Anticlastic earrings from the SoMa Collection.
Barbary Coast Freshwater Pearl Wire Spiral Earrings
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Liz wears a Spiral 14K Gold Filled earrings set with White Freshwater Pearls from the Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection.
Onyx and Crystal Quartz Necklace - Barbary Coast Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Ashley wears Fleur-de-lis Earrings set with faceted Onyx and a Gold Quartz, Citrine, and Onyx necklace from the Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection.
Amethyst Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon Necklace from the Monterey Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Sivan wears Purple Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon earrings and Amethyst Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon necklace from the Monterey Beaded Gemstone Collection.
Monterey Collection - Orange Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Fernanda wears Orange Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon earrings and necklace set with Carnelian from the Monterey Beaded Gemstone Collection.
Pacific Heights Citrine Gemstone Earrings
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Quincy wears Teardrop Citrine Gemstone earrings from the Pacific Heights Collection.
Pacific Heights Wire Wrapped Gemstone Jewelry Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Fernanda wears a matching set of wire sculpted Citrine earrings, pendant, and ring from the Pacific Heights Collection.
Fold Formed Silver Earrings and Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace from the Sea Cliff Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Sivan wears Fold Formed Fan Coral Fine Silver
earrings and Keishi Pearl necklace from the Sea Cliff Collection.
Sea Cliff Collection Pearl Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Jenna wears a Mother of Pearl and Fine Silver necklace from the Sea Cliff Collection.
Nob Hill Filigree Jewelry Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Photographer Sarah Ross wears
Large Tear Drop Filigree earrings from the Nob Hill Collection and Hammered Fine Silver necklace from the
SoMa Collection.
Chalk Turquoise Necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Merissa wears Fine Silver Anticlastic earrings from the SoMa Collection and a Green Chalk Turquoise necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection.
SoMa Hammered Silver Jewelry Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Liz wears Brazilian Fire Agate
Hammered Fine Silver necklace and Hammered Fine Silver earrings from the
SoMa Collection.
Hammered Copper Jewelry - Fold Formed Copper Leaf Earrings - Fold Fomed Copper Cuff - Hammered Copper Neckwire with Brazilian Fire Agate Pendant
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Liz wears Brazilian Fire Agate Copper Necklace, Copper Leaf Earrings, and Copper Fold Formed Bracelet from the Handmade Copper Jewelry Collection by John S. Brana.
