Tequila Sunrise bracelet

Today I’d like to give a little background on some of the materials used in my new bracelet ‘Tequila Sunrise’. Turquoise is made up of hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum and ranges in color from skyblue to apple green. Indigenous to the southwest is often named for the mine from which it came. Turquoise is the birthstone for December and in healing folklore it encourage spiritual healing, creativity and happiness.

Apatite is a rare semi-precious gemstone composed of fluorine, chlorine and hydroxyl and is produced mainly in Mexico. The name apatite is from the Greek word “to deceive” because the gem varieties were often confused with other materials. The color of apatite is often due to the presence of rare earth elements or by natural irradiation.

Swarovski crystals are made in Austria and are considered the finest products of their kind in the world. Precision-cut lead crystal glass, the colors are vivid and the sparkle draws the eye. Aurora Borealis finished crystals have the same vivid colors, with the addition of a “rainbowed” coating. Swarovski crystals take their name from Daniel Swarovski who invented a machine capable of cutting crystal to perfection in 1892.

Custom-made glass beads

Glass beads have been made for centuries, being used for adornment and trade. The glass beads used in my jewelry I make myself.

I create the glass beads using a torch combining oxygen and propane. I melt long rods of glass onto a steel rod and form a round bead, then use various colors of glass to decorate the bead.

When decorating and forming are complete, the bead is then placed in a 975 degree kiln where it is annealed (slowly cooked) overnight.

Bali silver comes from a small island in the Indonesian archipelago and are handcrafted by Balinese silver artisans. Their pieces are distinctive with ornamental granulation (clusters of silver dots) and wirework.

Each bead is carefully made by hand and no two are alike, with the finished product being .925 silver.

A silver clasp

Lets talk about some of the silver I use in my jewelry. I love using the Thai silver in my pieces because it gives them a beautiful shine and an organic handmade look. Truly one of a kind pieces!

Thai silver comes from remote mountain areas in Thailand. The beads are handmade by the Hill tribe people using centuries-old traditional methods and are done completely by hand. Hill tribe’s beads are made from .999 silver, which result in a finished purity even higher than sterling silver.

The various Hill Tribes live in the area known as the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar) all come together. The Hill Tribes consist of six distinct tribal groups, each with its own characteristic dress, customs and styles of ornamentation.

The Tribes are known in Thailand as the Karen, the Hmong, the Mien, the Akha, the Lahu, and the Lisu. All of the tribes do silver smithing. The Tribal villages are scattered over an immense area. Some can only be approached on foot while others are serviced by primitive dirt roads.