Inspired by the royal tones of my grandmother’s bracelet, I wanted my next design to feature my favourite gemstone, emerald. Growing up, I noticed others gravitating toward sapphires and rubies, partly because of their cultural presence in games and media. But the allure of emerald captivated me, likely for its connection to the natural world, the deep, rich greens reminiscent of untouched forests and the mystique tied to its rarity. Emerald has always seemed more elegant to me, its quiet but captivating charm standing apart from the bolder gemstones. With this piece, I set out to capture that timeless elegance of emerald in a wearable form, balancing its beauty with a harmonious design.
However, I encountered a challenge with my limited bead stock. While I had a few emerald coloured beads on hand, they were running low, so I needed to be resourceful. I selected some darker green beads to act as complementary elements, blending the various greens to keep the overall tone cohesive and still achieve the luxurious depth I envisioned. These darker greens added a subtle contrast, which, when paired with the lighter emerald tones, mimicked the variation one might see within a real gemstone. Gold spacer beads added the final touch, enhancing the greens and elevating the piece with a classic, refined aesthetic.
This design process got me thinking about how the choice of spacer beads could add a new dimension to future pieces. Each spacer could have unique textures or patterns that emphasise the gemstone’s elegance even more, making the bracelet feel almost like a work of art in itself. I realised that by selecting different spacer bead designs, I could further customise pieces to give them a more distinct character, reinforcing their individuality and significance.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this emerald inspired bracelet allowed me to bring together elegance, resourcefulness, and inspiration from nature. Though the result aligned with my vision, it also sparked new ideas for future designs. In time, I hope to expand both my bead variety and my design elements to experiment with new textures, colours, and patterns. This project reinforced that limitations can inspire creativity, motivating me to develop pieces that celebrate each gemstone’s unique qualities to create something truly memorable.
