Finished!

After starts and stops and days of working, I finally finished the new reticulated necklace.  Similar to the original, this piece started off as 20g reticulation 80/20 sheet that I cut into 1 x 1 3/4 inch pieces.  Next I reticulated and textured the pieces and soldered on the continuous wire squiggle.  Pickle and clean between and then added the bezels and silver and gold accent balls. 

I've been using a simple but effective connection and decided I would use it here as well--linking the pieces together with balled wire that forms a half circle link in each corner.  The connection allows the links to move and adjusts easily to the wearer's neck.  The hook and eye clasp continues with the overall design and is easy for the wearer to put on and take off.  The whole piece was then cleaned, bristle brushed, and lightly polished before setting the stones. 

I highly polished the inside of each bezel to allow light to bounce off and through the selected translucent stones.  I opted for a mix of colors and included green chrysoprase, purple amethyst, Sleeping Beauty turquoise, hot pink tourmalines, warm carnelian, and red garnet.  The stones were set and then the burnished tool marks polished out to give a high shine.  Last, a half-drilled freshwater pearl was glued to the overhanging peg at the base of the front link's squiggle and... 

The finished necklace!

While on a roll and having some extra time and energy to work, I continued with the reticulation series and made two pairs of earrings.  One pair with amethyst cabochons and the other with chrysoprase cabochons. 

The amethyst earrings are 22g silver that I cut and reticulated.  I added a continuous squiggle soldered on to the front which continues up to be the earwire.  A couple silver balls add some interest near the top.  The chrysoprase earrings are also 22g silver with balls and wire detailing.  The apple green stones glow like no other. 
 

Until next time.