Silver Cuff Bracelet with Labradorite

I've had this idea to turn a ring I made into a new design for a cuff bracelet.  I finally got all the pieces to come together.  This is the ring that was the inspiration:

A sterling silver ring with rose cut labradorite stone that I made for a commission. I think this ring actually reads much larger in scale and thought it would translate beautifully to a cuff.  So I selected a stone:

This large labradorite cabochon -- 45mm (1 11/16")  high and 25mm (1") at its widest.  The blues and greens shimmer in the light.  I thought the scale set the right tone for design.  Once that was decided, I worked the silver sheet and heated and reticulated and textured and formed.  I added large sterling balls around the fine silver bezel and felt the cuff was really coming together.

I placed a few more balls for balance and the design was complete.  Set the stone and polished the bezel and baubles to a high shine and voila: 

Strength and beauty--I think it's a pretty spectacular piece! 

A New Bracelet Commission

As the end of the year approaches, I've been trying to complete the remaining commissions that are still on my to-do list.  One of those projects is for a friend who's been wanting (and waiting for) a labradorite piece.  So back in the early summer, we came up with a rough bracelet design and picked stones.  I admit the style was different for me, so I knew I'd be working through some technical difficulty and probably the reason I delayed making it. 

So, I started with sketches:

Then I worked up the base of the bracelet in heavy rectangular sterling silver:

I made the fine silver bezels for the labradorite stones:

And then soldered on the 3 bezels, set the stones, and gave the bracelet a nice brushed finish. 

The finished bracelet in 3/4 view to the left:

You can see the simple yet effective hook clasp for easy wear.

3/4 view to the right showing my hallmark on the back band:

  

Back view:

Top view:

And the final shot on my own wrist.  Look at those stones glow!  I think she's going to love it!  (And definitely worth the wait!)

On a Roll--Rings

I was working in the studio this weekend and was drawn in by some new stones.  I decided it was time to make some new rings.  I started with this Labradorite ring. 

The Labradorite is a 12x12mm antique cushion cut.  It's bezeled in fine silver and the rest of the ring is sterling silver. 

The second ring I designed after selecting the stone--an 18 x 25mm Chinese turquoise.

The colors are turquoisey, underwater looking, and beautiful!  The bezel is fine silver with the rest being sterling silver. 

The third ring shows off a Peruvian opal: 

I wish the shimmer showed in the pics, but it's pretty tough to capture.  Doesn't it look like a landscape?  This stone is smaller--about 10x12mm and is bezeled in fine silver.  I liver of sulphured the sterling "plate", so the silver hammered balls shine in contrast. 

That ends this run of rings, but I think I'm going to continue!  What do you think?