Falling Leaf Handcrafted Picasso Jasper Necklace

by Elizabeth Wald.
(Border of Connecticutt and New York,  USA)

Autumn is soon upon us and I always strive to duplicate Mother Nature and the wonderful colors of my favorite season in my handcrafted jewelry pieces. This piece is especially meaningful to me as my father passed away during the peak of Autumn last year.

“Falling Leaf” Handcrafted Picasso Jasper/Canada Jade Necklace.

Therefore, I wanted to capture his legend and view his journey “over the bridge” in the form of a falling leaf, something fragile and delicate – just as he was in his final days with us on earth.

I wanted to capture Autumn in any artistic way I could, while at the same time offer a unique twist on Autumn custom made jewelry as I envisioned it for the recipient of this piece.

The unique twist would be a wire wrap that would end in a scroll around the focal pendant. My materials came from many different sources and the piece I envisioned started with the focal pendant or a “falling leaf” in the form of a Picasso Jasper olivary gemstone, wire wrapped with this scroll.

The reason I used the scroll was to make the necklace unique while at the same time bring out the meaning of the scroll – “gratitude” – as it remains to this day not just for the beauty of Nature itself, but also for having had such a wonderful and caring parent all my life. Gratitude for his kindness, sense of humor and his amazing light.

Hand wire wrapped Picasso Jasper pendant.

Next, I picked up the olive green in the pendant and matched it with a Canada Olive Jade 18″ adjustable strand with 8 mm matching Canada Jade rounds.

The colors resemble Autumn at its finest with hues of deep earth clay and ochre with small hints of yellow and fresh olive green – all colors which mimic the changing leaves as we relish them during this time of year.

I didn’t want just any pendant but one with meaning and flair. Then, even more meaning came into this piece as Jasper is known as “the nurturer” gemstone, which described my father in his rock solid support and deep concern for any well being, regardless of their status, race, religion or sexual orientation. The “Nurturing” Dad.

Sterling silver lobster clasp and extension chain.

This piece was topped off with a sterling silver lobster clasp and chain making it adjustable from 18″- 20″. I used silver plated artistic wire for the pendant and sterling plated spacer beads and sterling silver crimp tubes.

I don’t think I’ll be able to let this piece go as so much spirituality is involved surrounding a huge event in my life as a jewelry artist.

Elizabeth Wald
Stones in Harmony
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