Covert Jewelry Making: Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day.  It's so romantic.  A day dedicated to that special someone in your life. A day to tell them how much they mean to you, and a night to think of nothing else. 

So when my friend's husband asked if I'd make her a black pearl bracelet, I happily agreed. She is one of my favorite people to design for. Everything looks amazing on her, and she is always so complimentary of my designs. And well, who doesn't like that!


I knew she had been wanting this bracelet, and I had a good idea of what she was after.



She had originally said she wanted Tahitian pearls, but I went out to price them and whoa ... "how much do you want for them?" I asked at one shop.  I knew they were going to be expensive, but I had not expected a strand to cost well over $1000. Plan B. I suggested that freshwater black pearls would be a great option. Unless you're really looking for the difference it is hard to tell.  Tahitians have more of a green hue, where the freshwater has more of a purple. But honestly, I had to place them side-by-side for him to see the difference.  The entire strand of freshwater cost in the neighborhood of $30, and still amazingly beautiful. 


I added silver disc beads to space the pattern and a favorite marcasite clasp.  The marcasite gives it just that little touch of sparkle without going over board (top, left). 

However, I know that my Designer friend likes her bling.  And so I did make a second version (right) to show her husband... just in case a more elaborate bracelet was what he was after. I created clusters and strung it with seed pearls set with an antique pearl slide clasp. Simple in its own way, but is much more of a statement. He did end up choosing the single strand (the first version), which I recommended. So I'll find out tomorrow if my friend liked my covert jewelry making project of the month.