This bracelet turned into a disappointment. I thought it was really pretty when I made it. I used big round aquamarine beads and soft yellow faceted citrines along with the spiral links that I hand forged and soldered. The colors were summery and reminded me of sun and sky. Then I put it in the tumbler. When it came out I dismayed to find that the citrines had lost all their color. They were dyed! I wrote to the supplier and he confirmed that the citrines were very pale so they lightly dyed them. I told him that citrines listed as AA+ quality would be heat treated, but they shouldn't be dyed. So now I don't know if I should remake this with natural clear quartz, or just tell people that the beads are very, very pale quartz since citrine is a form of quartz. Or tell them it's citrine with no color. GRRR.
Looks great Nancy! I would say let it be as it is, because Citrine is Citrine...pale or not. Many (including me) believe in healing qualities of gemstones. It might matter to someone who is buying it that it is Citrine (for its specific qualities). Also it looks really nice. So why change it? :-)))
ReplyDeleteWell... your sprial links are very beautiful and well made! Those are still good;)
ReplyDeleteIt's really lovely as it is~ and yes it's too bad that your inspiration became skewed due to "false" information. I would just say it's quartz and maybe use a real citrine with blue in your next piece!~
ReplyDeleteHow annoying and it IS a pretty bracelet! Maybe tell people it's pale quartz as it seems a shame to take it apart and start again.
ReplyDeleteThat's frustrating when suppliers are short on the truth - I bought some chalcedony beads with an amazing blue colour which over time have faded to a horrible peachy colour.
ReplyDeleteHowever, your bracelet still looks amazing without the yellow citrine - I would describe them to a buyer as pale quartz as I think most buyers are more interested in colour and design rather than specific gemstones.
Kristin :)
Thanks, Swati! That's a good point that I hadn't thought of.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Kristin. I've had bad luck with chalcedony, blue in particular seems to fade really badly. I've had some sitting in the sun on the patio for three weeks now to see what it does before I use it. LOL
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