Design Styles in Handmade Jewelry

Fold Formed Copper Leaf Earrings with Traditional Green Patina - Organic Jewelry

Fold Formed Copper Leaf Earrings with Traditional Green Patina

Organic Jewelry vs Geometric Jewelry

The world of jewelry is truly diverse thanks to the range of artistic talent out there. When studying the many items available these days, it becomes clear that there are two major design styles in the jewelry world: organic and geometric. Both of these can be used to enhance the appearance in different ways.

Organic Jewelry

Organic jewelry is typically made from natural products such as bone, shells or wood. It can also be created using irregular gemstones such as coral or pearls or by shaping different metals into organic patterns. Jewelers use these materials, along with some inspiration from various natural settings, to design their stunning organic jewelry collections.

Aluminum Brass Small Circle Earrings with Onyx

Aluminum Brass Small Circle Earrings with Onyx

Geometric Jewelry

Geometric jewelry is the polar opposite of their organic counterparts. Made with regular shapes ranging from simple cubes and spheres to the more complex gemstone cuts, these items scream out to the world that man definitely was responsible for creating objects of this beauty. They can be just as stunning, if not more so, than organic jewelry depending on the situation.

Natural-looking items combining irregular shapes with organic colors exude a very casual feel. These pieces of organic jewelry are great for taking the edge off formal attire or making a playful dress or top even more colorful. Natural materials such as coral and Keishi pearls are completely unique in their appearance, so that jewelry such as the Carnelian necklaces from John S. Brana are one-of-a-kind.

As can be expected, geometric jewelry is better suited for plain or formal clothing. They provide the wearer with a look of elegance and style that would not be out of place in a high-class dinner or at a night at the opera. This type of jewelry is also great to bring out at big occasions such as proposals, weddings and anniversaries.

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Pearl Jewelry – Wear Nature’s Stunning Beauty

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

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

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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Keishi Pearls

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace

Keishi Pearls – A Brief History

Pearls have been a prized element for jewelry for thousands of years. Although the most expensive pearls earn their price for their regular shape, even lustre and smooth surface many “inferior” pearl shapes are now becoming popular for their unique appearance and striking style that they can add to handmade jewelry.

Pearls are produced by mollusks when a small irritant such as a grain of sand gets inside its shell. The mollusk feels this as an irritant and coats the particle with a lustrous substance known as “nacre”. Pearls tend to take on the shape of the original particle, which is why perfectly round natural pearls are so rare and valuable.

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace with Amethyst

Keishi pearls are formed when the mollusk rejects the irritant before the cultivating process is completed but still produces the nacre in a freeform shape. They can also be formed alongside a cultured pearl in the mollusk. Originally cultivated by Japanese pearl harvesters in the 1920s, keishi pearls were once considered a by-product or a “mistake” since the irritant was expelled before a round pearl could be produced. But there’s no mistaking the reasons why keishi pearls have become so popular in modern jewelry making. Since they are made entirely of nacre, they have a beautiful shimmer and luster and come in a variety of naturally organic shapes, colors and sizes.

“Cornflake” Keishi Pearls

Keishi pearls are also known as “cornflake” pearls because of their irregular shapes and “poppy seed” pearls since the word “keishi” means poppy seed in Japanese. They are generally small in size but are also available in elongated shapes known as stick pearls. Their unique, asymmetrical shapes make them a favorite choice for those searching for pearl jewelry with one-of-a-kind flair and natural beauty. Once considered to be useless and common, keishi pearls are now cultivated mostly in China, Japan and the South Seas and have become a favorite among handmade jewelry designers. John S. Brana offers stunningly beautiful necklaces among his collection made from iridescent cornflake keishi pearls in varied colors, and complemented by sea glass, Swarovski crystals and fine silver.

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Pearls – June’s Birthstone

Hammered Fine Silver Earrings with Gold Freshwater Pearls

Hammered Fine Silver Earrings with Gold Freshwater Pearls

June’s Birthstone – The Classic Pearl

June’s birthstone, the pearl, has been a favorite gemstone since the days of the Roman Empire. They are the only gemstone created by a living creature and the only one that needs no cutting or polishing to enhance its value.

Pearls are formed when an irritant enters the shell of a mollusk. The mollusk coats the irritant with a substance known as ‘nacre’, and a natural pearl is formed. Since naturally forming saltwater pearls are so rare these days natural pearls have largely complemented by cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are pearls that are formed due to a small bead or other substance placed inside of a mollusk by commercial pearl farms, which originated in Japan in the early 1900s. Today, most cultured pearls are grown and harvested around the world although most come from China, Japan, and the South Pacific. Even though natural pearls are the most highly prized, the only way to determine whether a pearl is natural or cultured is to have it x-rayed by a jeweler.

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

Freshwater Pearl Grading

Pearls are graded by color, luster, size and lack of flaws. Pearls that are perfectly round are quite rare, and of course, the larger the pearl, the more valuable. However, pearls of varying shapes are also highly prized. Baroque pearls are pearls that are irregularly shaped. Teardrop pearls are most often used in earrings and pendants. Coin or button pearls and smaller rice or keishi pearls are also popular choices for fashion jewelry.

While white is still the most popular color, cultured pearls are available in several other hues, such as pink, purple, blue, champagne, green and black, with black pearls rapidly gaining in popularity. As these colors are naturally occurring, it can be difficult to obtain enough of the same size and color to form one jewelry piece. White pearls are sometimes bleached and pearls may be dyed to produce new colors or to enhance their original color and luster.

Imitation pearls made from shell or glass are popular due to their affordability and similarity to natural or cultured pearls but they are lighter in weight and not as lustrous as natural or cultured pearls.

Pearl wearers should take special care with their jewelry as natural and cultured pearls can be discolored by dyes and solvents. Hairspray and perfumes should be applied before putting on pearl jewelry to avoid dulling the pearl’s creamy, lustrous surface.  By taking special care of your pearl jewelry, you will ensure a lifetime wear of  June’s Birthstone – the Pearl.

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July’s Zodiac Gemstones – Handcrafted Fine Jewelry by John S. Brana

 

 

Keishi Pearl NecklaceHappy Birthday July! 

Cancer, June 22nd through July 21st, is a water sign, along with Pisces and Scorpio, and just like the ocean tides, Cancers are ruled by the moon. This beautiful tidal polarity is best celebrated through each of Cancer’s birthstones, the pearl and moonstone. Both gems emit a unique and enchanting shimmer as the pearl glows in its soft iridescence and the moonstone captures and refracts incident light.

 What better way to celebrate the essence of Cancer than with this stunning creation from John S. Brana’s Seacliff Collection. The dramatic display of Keishi pearls, moonstones, crystals and sea glass softened by the feminine hues of lavender captures the emotional and loving characteristics of Cancer. 

Come full circle to your tidal water roots by completing the look with a playful sea creature ring cast in sterling silver, such as the starfish, anemone or hidden pearl. Enjoy your month and take pleasure in life’s beautiful amenities!

 

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