Another Treasury Feature!

Silk Road I Earrings

Treasury link: http://etsy.me/oHNjaR

Earrings link: http://etsy.me/r5QIxN

Original Post: http://bit.ly/pKjzoI

*SOLD* Silk Road Earrings I and II: Turquoise Jasper & Chinese Coins - Treasury Item!

Silk Road I in daylight

This design is one of my favorites, and because each Turquoise Jasper stone is unique, each pair is one-of-a-kind.  The great amount of detail on each stone proved challenging to photograph, so these really look amazing in person.

Backside of Silk Road I in daylight

These earrings share their name with the famous trade routes that connected the Eastern and Western worlds for nearly 3,000 years.  Some of these routes, both overland and maritime, are still used today.






These  earrings feature turquoise jasper coin-shaped beads that have a panoply of colors including rich browns, greens, bright teals, creamy yellows, and sandy tans.  Each piece of jasper is different and I've matched similar pieces in each of the two pairs I've made.  Silk Road I has brighter green and teal based hues while Silk Road II has more of a desert oasis feel with more brown and sand tones.

Silk Road I in low light with bright flash

Silk Road II in daylight

Double-sided antique bronze replica Chinese dynasty coins dangle below the jasper stones.  The dynasty coins, which are penny-sized, bring luck with a dragon on one side and Chinese characters on the other.
 

Backside of Silk Road II in daylight

Tiny African bone beads sit atop the jasper stones and add texture and an organic feeling to each pair of earrings.  I only have a limited number of these bone beads left, so I use them in designs sparingly.  I think they complete these earrings and tie together the different tones in the jasper stones and the tone of the gold-over-brass french hooks with the antique bronze coins.

Silk Road I in low light with bright flash

These earrings are moderate weight, 3" long, and 1" at their widest point.  You can buy Silk Road I and Silk Road II here on Etsy.


Update 8/7/11: The 1st version of these earrings are in an Etsy treasury!  The 2nd version of these earrings have SOLD!