PhoenixFire Designs – The Blog

I’ve been busy making both new items, as well as new versions of previously sold items. But I’ve been lax about posting those updates here in the blog. (Though I’ve posted some on PhoenixFire Designs Facebook page. It’s a good resources to get more up-to-the-minute updates.

But onto the nice, shiny pretties!

Click any image to go to it’s page for more information and purchase details. Many more items also available at PhoenixFireDesigns.etsy.com. And, as always, I also take custom orders!

As usual, I’ve been updating PhoenixFire Designs lately and I’ve added some new items and restocked some previously sold items. Here’s a look at what’s new and back in stock in the shop!

Dew Drop Necklace

Glowing blue micro-faceted Rainbow Moonstone Briolette is nestled on a verdigris patina brass leaf charm. On a sterling silver plated chain of 18 inches.

Summer Tree

This pendant is like summer in it’s fullest, more verdant abundance. The stunning rich, emerald color of dark green aventurine gemstone is set in sterling silver plated wire.

Steampunk Penny Farthing Brass Bicycle Necklace

This Steampunk necklace features a vintage inspired Penny Farthing bicycle charm in brass, accented with watch gears, roses, butterfly charm and crystal on 18″ chain.

Also, back in stock…

And, as always, custom orders welcome! All these and more available in the shop!

Because everything I make is made by hand, it allows me to fully customize and personalize pieces. One of my favorite things to make are custom pendants that incorporate birthstones for Mothers and Grandmothers.

This piece features the birthstones of March (semi-precious blue topaz in substitution for aquamarine), July (precious Ruby), and August (semi-precious peridot) all together in non-tarnish, sterling silver plated wire.

From the happy customer:

As the recipient of this piece, I can attest to its amazing quality and beauty. One that left even my husband speechless. This is going to be one of the most meaningful and breathtaking presents I am giving this year.

This makes for a treasured, heirloom piece that has deep, personal meaning and brings joy to the wearer. I made a custom birthstone tree for my own Mother and she never fails to smile when someone compliments her on it and she can say it represents her daughters.

If you’d like a piece made especially for you, with birthstones of family members, or in memorial of those who have passed, just contact me. I’d love to make something that makes you smile and reminds you of your loved ones too.

After a long time gone from the shop, I’m please to say my Apple Tree has returned!

No forbidden fruit here! This adorable Apple Tree Pendant features genuine Peridot Gemstone leaves with faceted Ruby round apples set in brown wire.

Apple trees always remind me of Autumn as a child growing up in rural, Western Pennsylvania. My uncle had a farm and an apple orchard. Each year, my Mom would climb the trees and toss apples down to me to gather in laundry baskets (which always did double duty during harvest season!) Nothing was every better than an apple fresh from the tree on a crisp, fall day!

Pendant available HERE in my shop.

Six genuine gemstones (ruby, yellow sapphire, emerald, blue topaz, amethyst and white topaz) form a rainbow of color on sterling silver ear threads.

I started with a sterling silver, ball tipped headpin and then strung six genuine gemstones on. All gemstones are high quality, micro faceted rondelles. The ear threads are .925 sterling silver as well and thus hypoallergenic for those sensitive to some metals.

The gemstones used in the piece starting from the bottom are:

* Ruby – one of four precious gemstones and the birthstone of July

* Yellow Sapphire – Another of the four precious gemstones, sapphire comes in many colors including this lovely yellow. Traditionally blue sapphire is the birthstone of September.

* Emerald – the third precious gemstone in this piece, emerald is the birthstone of May and an amazing green stone without peer.

* Blue Topaz – A semi-precious stone, blue topaz has a crystal clear blue sky color. It’s an alternative birthstone for December.

* Amethyst – Long associated with royalty, amethyst is a gorgeous and rich purple tone. This semi-precious stone is the birthstone of February.

* White Topaz – White topaz is a flawlessly clear crystal stone. It’s used as an alternative to diamond for April’s birthstone. Also semi-precious.

Threader style earrings allow you to adjust how long or short you wish to wear them. The gemstones measure about .25″ in length and the total length of the threader plus gems is right around 3.25″

They’re dainty and feminine. They would be a lovely gift for someone who likes rainbow colors, or who is interested in chakra healing and colors.

They would also be a very special gift for a young woman who may not want or need a large pair of earrings but for whom a pair of sterling silver gemstone earrings would be a special gift. It could be a pair of “grown up” jewelry all her own.

I only have the one pair of these at this time as I put them together with the extra gems leftover after other projects. To individually purchase this many stones to make a pair would be quite expensive so this is a great way to get some high quality gems in a lovely little, affordable package.

Available in the shop HERE.

Precious gemstone Ruby (birthstone of July) is paired with mystical Rainbow Moonstone in these chandelier style sterling silver earrings in a heart shape.

For these sweet earrings, I started with a .925 sterling silver heart finding. From that, I have five dangles of gemstones. Each dangle is on a sterling silver ball-tipped headpin and features genuine, natural precious ruby gemstone and natural semi-precious moonstone rondelles. They are finished with sterling silver hooks and measure a little over 1.25″ from the top to the bottom of the longest drop.

These are lovely earrings. The sweetheart shape makes them equally wearable everyday or for a special occasion. A gift for a July baby, someone you love or just as a special treat for yourself!

About the Gemstones Used
* Ruby is one of the rare, precious gemstones (along with Emerald, Diamond and Sapphire.) Ruby is known as the most powerful gem in the universe. To own a ruby is to know contentment and peace. Given as a gift, ruby is the stone of friendship and love. It’s also associated with vitality and royalty. It is the birthstone of July. The rubies used in this piece are 100% natural gemstone, grade A+ Micro faceted rondelles.

* Rainbow moonstone is an amazing stone that’s almost impossible to photograph. The stone is “alive” with natural iridescent fire and a color shift towards blue in various types of light. Moonstone is of course associated with the Moon and with the Goddess Diana. It’s a powerful stone said to protect those of a sensitive nature and bring good emotions to the wearer. Because of it’s tie to emotions and the moon, it’s said to be a woman’s gemstone. It is also an alternative birthstone for June. (Traditionally pearl.)

Available for purchase HERE.

These gorgeous earrings feature a cluster of genuine precious gemstones. Ruby, Emerald and Yellow Sapphire are nestled around Amethyst briolette teardrops. All set in sterling silver.

I started with a beautiful semi-precious amethyst briolette in a faceted teardrop shape. I used a sterling silver, ball-tipped headpin to form the base of the earrings. Then I added a cluster of genuine, precious gems also on ball tipped sterling silver headpins fill in above the amethyst.

There are four precious gems in the world and this piece has three of them: Ruby (the birthstone of July), Emerald (the birthstone of May) and Yellow Sapphire (the birthstone of September.) All three precious gems are in the form of lovely micro-faceted rondelle gemstones.

These earrings are just really pretty and the quality of the stones is very nice. All findings are sterling silver. These earrings will match just about anything in your wardrobe with the deep, rich range of colors. They’re dainty but still noticeable and can be worn with anything.

They measure approximately 1.25″ from hook to tip.

This is a one-of-a-kind pair. I bought one set of matching plum amethyst briolette and do not have any more on hand. I absolutely love these earrings and hope you do too!

Available for purchase HERE.

A classically simple, dainty pair of earrings in 14k gold featuring a rainbow of genuine gemstones.

I started with a 14k gold filled, ball tipped headpin and then strung six genuine gemstones on. All gemstones are high quality, micro faceted rondelles. The French hooks are 14k plated and thus hypoallergenic for those sensitive to some metals.

The gemstones used in the piece starting from the bottom are:

* Ruby – one of four precious gemstones and the birthstone of July

* Imperial Topaz – a very rare form of topaz, these are pale yellow in color. Topaz is the birthstone of November and is semi-precious.

* Green Tourmaline – Tourmaline comes in a variety of colors and this one is a lovely olive tone. Tourmaline is semi-precious.

* Blue Topaz – Another semi-precious stone, blue topaz has a crystal clear blue sky color. It’s an alternative birthstone for December.

* Amethyst – Long associated with royalty, amethyst is a gorgeous and rich purple tone. This semi-precious stone is the birthstone of February.

* White Topaz – White topaz is a flawlessly clear crystal stone. It’s used as an alternative to diamond for April’s birthstone. Also semi-precious.

The earrings measure a total length just shy of 1.5″ long. They’re dainty and feminine. They would be a lovely gift for someone who likes rainbow colors, or who is interested in chakra healing and colors.

They would also be a very special gift for a young woman who may not want or need a large pair of earrings but for whom a pair of 14k gold gemstone earrings would be a special gift. It could be a pair of “grown up” jewelry all her own.

I only have the one pair of these at this time as I put them together with the extra gems leftover after other projects. To individually purchase this many stones to make a pair would be quite expensive so this is a great way to get some high quality gems in a lovely little, affordable package.

Available for purchase HERE

Another example of a custom piece. She wanted something with June and July birthstones. June is traditionally pearl, but instead of pearl, she wanted something a little more “gem” looking. I researched some options for her and ultimately, we went with Rainbow Moonstone. It’s a really lovely, semi-opaque stone with an inner fire that sparkles and catches the light.

I think this is just a lovely result. Ruby is one of four precious gemstones (along with Diamond/April, Emerald/May, and Sapphire/September) but I was able to find some gorgeous ruby rondelles for a reasonable price and paired them with the rainbow moonstone button beads. The tree is set in sterling silver wire.

One of many examples of birthstone trees and custom Family Trees I have made lately. Want one of your own? Email! I’d love to make something personal for you too.

Stunning ruby micro-faceted rondelles are set in sterling silver wire to form a beautiful Tree of Life pendant. Ruby is a precious gemstone and the birthstone of July.

The Tree of Life is a concept that’s been featured in myth, story and legend literally all around the world. Since ancient times, people have used variations on the theme. Connecting all things – the realms of the spirit, the physical, the Divine and the mundane – the roots of the Tree and the branches touch all things and bring them together in harmony.

This pendant is handmade using painstaking wire-wrapping techniques. Hand hammered sterling silver plated wire frames and encircles the pendant, and then sterling silver plated, non-tarnish wire is used as the roots, trunk and branches of the tree.

Ruby is one of the rare, precious gemstones (along with Emerald, Diamond and Sapphire.) Ruby is known as the most powerful gem in the universe. To own a ruby is to know contentment and peace. Given as a gift, ruby is the stone of friendship and love. It’s also associated with vitality and royalty. It is the birthstone of July.

The rubies used in this piece are 100% natural gemstone, grade A+ Micro faceted rondelles. I use approximately 10 carets (!!) of the luxe, precious gem in this pendant. It’s just a breathtaking amount of ruby.

Measuring approximately 1.25″ wide by 1.5″ high (not including bail), it’s a lovely size both for everyday and special occasion wear. You will receive the exact pendant pictured. I bought enough ruby for one pendant so snag it if you love it!

Available for purchase HERE