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John S Brana Handmade Jewelry
John S Brana Handmade Jewelry
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Gemstone Necklaces

Jewelry Must-Have: A Gem-Drenched Necklace

December 15, 2015

If you're looking to build a beautiful jewelry collection and have something for every occasion, you simply must have a stylish gemstone necklace at the ready. The word "gem-drenched necklace" might have you thinking of sparkling rubies and sapphires, but semiprecious gem necklaces are often more versatile, as you can wear them for dressy or casual occasions. We have many gemstone necklaces in the John S. Brana Jewelry Collection, and you can find the perfect one for your jewelry box in four simple steps:

1. Choose the Colors. With gemstones, it's always best to start your search by thinking about the color that you want. Start by considering what you're planning to pair with your necklace. Are you looking for something that will go with just about anything? A piece in black like our Freshwater Pearl Onyx Necklace is a great choice. If you're looking for a necklace to add color to pieces, think about what color family you prefer. Do you want bold jewel tones like our Carnelian Necklace? Pastels like our Pink Coral Garnet Necklace? Earthy colors like our Baltic and Dominican Amber Necklace? By thinking about what colors you wear most often, you can easily find the right gemstone necklace to bring color to your favorite outfits.

Freshwater Pearl Onyx Necklace

Abalone and Clear Quartz Necklace
2. Select the shape. After you determine what colors you like, you should think about the shape of the necklace. A V-shaped necklace like our 14K Gold-filled Garnet Chain Maille Necklace will suit plunging necklines like halters and V-necks. Rounder necklaces like our Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace are better for round necklines like scoops and crewnecks. An asymmetrical necklace like our Faceted Garnets and Citrine Flower Necklace will look perfect with an off-the shoulder or strapless look. Because you want to be able to wear your necklace with many wardrobe pieces, take some time to look at the necklines of some of your tops and dresses when selecting a shape. 

14K Gold-filled Garnet Chain Maille Necklace

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace

Faceted Garnets and Citrine Flower Necklace
 
3. Determine the Length. Once you have made decisions about color and shape, you need to figure out just how long of a necklace you need. You may want to use string or yarn to see how necklaces of different lengths will fit. Another option is to pick a necklace that allows you to adjust the length like our Apatite Wire Wrapped Fine Silver Necklace or our Blue Chalcedony White Coral Necklace. This will give you the flexibility to alter the length to match the necklines of whatever you're wearing. 

Apatite Wire Wrapped Fine Silver Necklace


Blue Chalcedony White Coral Necklace

4. Picking Your Style. Now that you've made decisions about the color, shape and length, you'll find that your gemstone necklace options have been narrowed to just a few styles. This leaves you free to select the one that best suits your individual tastes.

There you have it--four simple steps to finding the perfect gem-drenched necklace to add to your jewelry box. Now, you're ready to explore all of the
gemstone necklaces in the John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry Collection to find your favorite.

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        Amber Citrine Crystal Quartz Beaded Gemstone Necklace

        March 10, 2014 1 Comment

        Amber Citrine Crystal Quartz Beaded Gemstone Necklace

        Stunning Amber and Citrine Crystal Quartz Statement Necklace

        For those who love a statement piece, the Barbary Coast collection is perfect for those who choose to build an ensemble around their jewelry. Catch the light and also plenty of admiring glances with this Amber, Citrine, and Crystal Quartz necklace. Round smooth Crystal Quartz and Citrine gemstone beads are mixed throughout with a selection of Amber and Gold Freshwater Pearls. Fine Silver beads accent the necklace with a touch of sparkling shine.

        Amber Citrine Crystal Quartz Beaded Gemstone Necklace

         

        Nature is already a work of art, so using it as an inspiration to create alluring jewelry is an easy trend to get behind. Celebrating the rich colors and textures of the forest, Handmade Jewelry by John S. Brana brings you this amazing hand crafted necklace. Citrine, the most common color of quartz, is best known in the world of crystals and alternative medicine as a gem containing the solar energy of the sun, and many believe it has special healing qualities. Amber is known for its rich color and warm tones. Made from fossilized tree resin, this historic gem has been around since the first caveman gave a pretty stone to his beloved. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral on Earth and is able to catch the light brilliantly.

        Amber Citrine Crystal Quartz Beaded Gemstone Necklace - Closeup

         

        These three gems combined make a unique and relaxing combination of cascading stones that will compliment any outfit. If you’re hoping to give this necklace as a gift we do ship in a super cute gift box. This popular collection has been known to inspire brilliance, relaxation and warm feelings of zen. Maybe it’s the deeply vibrant colors or perhaps the tumbling string of gems. Either way, you’ll be happy to have this piece in your jewelry box!

        For More Elegant Gemstone Jewelry, Click Here!

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        Styling with Beaded Gemstone Necklaces

        May 01, 2013

        Faceted Garnets and Citrine Flower Necklace

        Make a Statement with Beaded Gemstone Necklaces

        Popular, trendy and artistic; the beaded gemstone necklace is a handcrafted thing of beauty which can be made to fit with many styles and color pallets. In fact, the beaded gemstone necklaces you will find here on this website are made from hand-selected semi-precious stones. Textures and colors are combined to create vibrant and fully expressive accessories.

        Some of the exquisite stones include; African Opal, Amazonite, Apatite, Carnelian, Chalk Turquoise, Citrine, Garnet, Onyx, and Prehnite.

        The practice of wearing beads and gems as jewelry can be traced back 70,000 years ago when the gems were discovered and admired for their beauty. Back then people didn’t have pockets to keep their possessions in so these gems were attached to leather straps and worn around the neck or wrist. Beads, gems and shells have all been used directly as currency for trade in the past as well.

        You can find something to fit any style or taste. Use one of these signature pieces to complete your signature look.

        Prehnite Amethyst Carnelian Necklace

        Prehnite Amethyst Carnelian Necklace

        Brilliant natural colors and a multi-textured design make this necklace a favorite of many. This tri-colored necklace is made from Prehnite, Amethyst, and Carnelian. Freshwater pearls help create the illusion of an underwater adventure.

        Freshwater Pearl Onyx Necklace

        Freshwater Pearl and Onyx Necklace

        Get swept away with this stunning Moss Green Freshwater Pearl and Onyx Necklace. Black Lava, hand-carved Onyx Flowers, Swarovski Crystals, and Fine Silver beads carry the natural theme to its fullest potential.

        Pink Coral Garnet Necklace

        Pink Coral, Garnet, 24k Gold Vermeil Necklace

        Get into the “pink of things” with this princess-worthy beaded gemstone necklace. Garnet and Pink Coral Tear-drop beads clamor over each other, creating a string of alluring beauty. This necklace makes a perfect gift for those who dream in shades of pink. Just a small sampling of the amazing handcrafted necklaces shows you the potential this style holds. This type of jewelry lends itself well to nature inspired designs that can flatter any woman’s appearance.

        Browse More Handmade Gemstone Jewelry

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        Beaded Gemstone Jewelry: Make a Statement

        March 23, 2009

        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. 

        Aquamarine Beaded Gemstone Necklace

         

        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.

         

        Yellow Jade Wire Wrapped 14K Gold-filled Earrings

         

        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.

        Freshwater Pearl Onyx Necklace

         

        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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        Handmade Gemstone Jewelry - A Classic Timeless Look

        March 20, 2009

        The Pacific Heights Faceted Colored Gemstone Jewelry Collection


        When you think of handmade gemstone jewelry, you may think of your weird aunt, still living in the 1960’s and her macramé beaded "creations."  Or, you may think of the junky trinkets sold at your local art and crafts fairs. But not to fear, there is another type of handmade jewelry that is neither tacky, “retro”, nor prone to falling to pieces after a few times of wear.

        Amber and Onyx Beaded Gemstone Necklace

         

        Modern, high-end jewelers create handmade gemstone jewelry that will stand the test of time and hold up against any piece you could find in any store. “Handmade” does not mean “homemade” – it means that it was crafted by a professional, a craftsman, and someone who cares about and takes pride in the work they do. There is nothing quirky or tasteless about it.

        If you have seen the handmade creations of modern jewelers, you will see nothing like what you imagined. Handmade jewelry can be exquisite, intricate, and timeless. Take a look at women walking down any red carpet event and you will see them adorned with many different types of handmade pieces. Jewelry that appears to come from the larger jewelers may well be handmade creations, custom-made for just such occasions. In fact, in many cases, you can’t tell a quality piece of handmade jewelry from those of famous well-know jewelry designers.

         

        Triangular Carnelian Earrings with 18K Gold Tassels

        When evaluating handmade gemstone jewelry, the first thing you must insist on is quality materials. Only the highest quality metals and gemstones should be used, and all settings and clasps must be the best available. Any reputable jeweler will allow you to see how and where he works, the materials he uses, and often the sources he utilizes to get his materials. A jeweler of character and distinction will want to design a piece of jewelry that you are proud of and one that will attract the attention you deserve.

        Click Here To Find Distinctive Handmade Gemstone Jewelry

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        Fine Gemstone Jewelry Throughout the Year

        March 18, 2009

        Faceted Garnet Necklace with Citrine Flowers

        When people think of fine gemstone jewelry, they traditionally think of the holidays. Whether you are dressing up for Christmas parties or New Year’s Eve, this type of jewelry is usually reserved for these occasions and then put away for the rest of the year. This is really a shame for two reasons. People have bought you that jewelry because they love you. Or, you have bought the jewelry because you love it. Either way, this love is only being expressed and shown one time a year.

        Jade Necklace with Onyx and Freshwater Pearl

         

        Fine gemstone jewelry should be worn throughout the year, and not just on special occasions. Wearing jewelry that was bought with love should be an everyday thing – not just for when you want to feel special. Feel special everyday! One reason people choose not to wear their fine jewelry more often than they do is because they are frightened of losing it, damaging it, or wearing it out. If your jewelry is of the finest quality, it will not wear out. If you take care of it properly, you should not be able to damage it. Learning when to wear and not wear a particular piece is very important.

         

         

        Triangular Carnelian Earrings with 18K Gold Tassels

        With diamonds and other precious stones, it is imperative that you get the piece checked out by a jeweler at least once a year to ensure that the setting is secure and there is no existing damage to any part of the piece. Once you feel secure in a stone’s setting, you will worry less about wearing it more often. If you fear losing or breaking a piece of fine gemstone jewelry, then make sure you have photographed the piece, had it appraised, and had it added to your homeowner’s insurance. This may cost you a little, but by doing so, you will be able to replace it should something happen.  

        Click Here To Find Fine Gemstone Jewelry

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