Design and Win a Natural Abalone Pearl

[pearlgem]

The snowman

The snowman

Hi everybody,
inspired by the weather conditions in Berlin (about 30 cm of snow), my design for the first pearl is the "abalone snowman" pendant. It has got a nose carved from carnelian, two brilliants as eyes, a hat made from onyx or jet and arms carved from white coral. It can be worn as a pendant but might also serve as a pin or something similar.
hope you enjoy my design, best regards,
Sven

 

[pearlgem]

pearl no. 2

pearl no. 2

Hi there,
here?s my second design - another pendant, this time with the greenish pearl. the flower could be made from forged titanium and colored in a manner to suit the pearl (titanium takes great colors when heated or anodized, very "pearly" colors!). The rim is set with small brilliants. A version in white gold, platinum or even yellow gold might be interesting, too.
hope you like it, best regards,
Sven

 

[pearldreamer]

What lovely and creative designs! Beth, I have to say you have really taken alot of time to come up with a design and they are all gorgeous! I favor the third one in the first sketches on the right.... and I could see some lovely tsavorites set with it! Just Gorgeous! Good luck everyone! Today is the day!

 

[Caitlin]

Everyone's designs are so interesting and pretty. It took me some nerve to put this one up.

I am coming from the point of view that I love abalone above all other pearls, so how would I like to wear these beautiful pearls?

I like the blue pearl better. So I want a ring reminiscent of my childhood turquoise rings where the stone is front and center. This would require a band of metal 1-2mm wide around the neck, securely attached to the 6.5 size simple band ring below.

I am sorry there is no focus on imagination in my design, but it is the way I would want to wear this pearl.

Anything else added, except maybe a decorative design on the upper band (or the band being decorative in itself) is not needed. The upper band (maybe both bands) could be titanium, if the color is right. Or the folded metal technique which name I forget. Platinum or white gold is fine, as well.

For me this would be the best design to wear and show off this incredible pearl. I know how resilient abalone is, so it would be as safe or more so than turquoise in a ring. The pearl itself provokes the imagination and the eye still sees different things in the shape-they just aren't made explicit.

I would do the same for the green stone except the spiral design would follow through to the ring part so it would still be parallel to the finger.

 

[pattye]

Sven,

Of course I love the flower! Wish I knew more about the interesting metals available now. And the snowman also, so eye catching in the blue!

Caitlin, What an excellent design idea, that is perfect size pearl for a ring! Great way to be able to enjoy seeing a beautiful pearl every second--on one's hand! And certainly in keeping with the clean graceful designs NZNP is known for.

 

[ShashiRatna]

Ooohhhh!!! All the designs are so beautiful and fun. I am inspired - and here is my addition. I am thinking yellow gold flat whatchmacallit - not wires and not gold sheets. The little rounds can be pearls or other gemstones.

Cheers,
SR

 

[purlgurl]

Does this look familiar? Great minds...

 

[claudenancy]

sketched a few more variations while we traveled. Since the thread is still open I am uploading..
The top sketches show pearls "on a stick" or stem. These should be adaptable to a number of metals--and also could be adapted for earrings, etc.,

The "leaves" could be of precious metal a less expensive metal enameled, or with great color options such as titanium If there was a desire for a "luxe" feeling, a few interspersed leaves could be made out of gold These leaves could be plain, textured or paved. Length could easily be adapted to adjust to sizes of various pearls.

The second set shows designs that are very simple--the first two "sticks" are slightly tapered with any mechanisms needed to securely set the pearl on the end.

The last one on the top row is an upside down T with an elongated vertical bar--inset with another metal, or (my choice), a contrasting stone--something that might even be a bit rough, but would be of similar color to that taupe/brownish color found often in paua pearls along edges or where the pearl might have been temporarily attached to the shell. Basalt could be a choice --but with a rough or matt finish. Alternatively pave or chanel set cognac diamonds (even rough diamond crystals could be substituted along the central axis to emphasize the organic nature of the pearl.

Another variant would be for the T itself to assume a less regular form--as uvaroite garnet druzy forming the central axis of the t shape (shown in black in the sketch), and the surround metal forming the external borders of the T following the lines of the druzy edge.

Finally, I played with some mathematical symbols--infinity and pi, as settings. Really not satisfied with this one, but it could ba an interesting concept to develop.

 

[claudenancy]

Purlgirl:

OOps. Did I miss this one from an earlier post on the forum? I am sorry if I did. I did not intentionally copy--forgive me if I did this without realizing it.

 

[purlgurl]

Not at all Claudenancy, I dont think I posted my tornado pendant, just the wrapped rings. I think it really is a case of great minds thinking alike! I adore your leaf pendants, very fluid & lyrical. I did not make these, but they exhibit a similar effect. Amazingly, they have a 'nap' and feel like fur or velvet when you stroke them! I would love to work with rough diamonds too, one day... The contrasts work really well. I like the way your mind goes, from rough textures to pave, to the luminescent pearls.

 

[claudenancy]

Oh my, Pearlgirl--now I remember those too! I just looked at your old posts, and remembered just how beautiful your designs were. Obviously I admire your tastes very much. They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery--while not intending to copy, I think that that your designs really inspired me--I just could not remember the source (can I claim a senior moment). Thanks for the inspiration, and I have no problem crediting you with influencing my designs.

Peace, Beth .

 

[GemGeek]

People are influenced by beautiful designs, often without realizing it. And clever people will come up with the same clever ideas, sometimes centuries apart. It's hard to say just how original and idea for jewelry design truly is. We debate these things all the time on the Orchid forum.

But I am thankful that the drive to create beauty is thriving here. Three cheers for my Pearl-Guide peeps! You're the best.

 

[New Zealand Natural Pearl]

Blown Away

Blown Away

Well we waited and waited for those designs to come -
After the 10th (whatever country) was sorted out, the fantastic
designs poured through the forum. We are so blown away with
the creativity of each design - there has to be a winner.
It is summer here and "icecreams" are abundant.
KauaiAnne is the winner. The contemporary design of
"Blue Moon" and Double Dip is fantastic. We have all loved an
icecream and now to develop it into a pendant or charm is a privilege.
KauaiAnne, choose your colour and we look forward to seeing it
made up.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Congratulations!!! (The ice cream cones were really cute!)

 

[pearldreamer]

Well we waited and waited for those designs to come -
After the 10th (whatever country) was sorted out, the fantastic
designs poured through the forum. We are so blown away with
the creativity of each design - there has to be a winner.
It is summer here and "icecreams" are abundant.
KauaiAnne is the winner. The contemporary design of
"Blue Moon" and Double Dip is fantastic. We have all loved an
icecream and now to develop it into a pendant or charm is a privilege.
KauaiAnne, choose your colour and we look forward to seeing it
made up.

That is awesome! Congratulations KauaiAnne! I can't wait to see it made up!!

 

[newberry]

Congratulations Kauai Anne on winning the design contest. Very unique and it will be fun to see the finishsed project

 

[Heidi]

Sweet! (literally) Congratulations Kauai Anne.

 

[ShashiRatna]

Congratulations Kauai Anne!!

-SR

 

[GemGeek]

That's wonderful. Enjoy your pearl in great health!

 

[pattye]

KauaiAnne,

Congratulations! Looking so forward to seeing the finished pendant!