More from the brand new (and still developing) National Parks Collection! These silver earrings were inspired by the National Parks of the U.S., especially Arches National Park in Utah! Freshwater pearls or clear quartz crystals! 
Arches are one of the most important architectural discoveries in human history and they can be seen in any city in the world!

These earrings combine black metal (actually oxidized sterling silver!) and white freshwater pearls. What a great combination & the best part? They go with literally EVERYTHING!

                          ​Click here to shop these versatile earrings now!

These sterling silver earrings with pearls are the best! I know, they don't like like sterling silver right?? That's because I oxidized the silver using a multi-step process that causes the silver to turn black (or kind of a very dark charcoal color). There is just something about that black with the creaminess of the freshwater pearl that I love!

I have beome enamored by black jewelry - I just love it. AND it's the perfect time of year for black jewelry - dead of winter, things are dark & dreary in many parts of the country plus, guess what?

Oxidized silver jewelry, aka black jewelry, is completely carefree!! That's right, it's already completely and totally oxidized so you NEVER have to polish it.

Sure, you might clean it now & then with a little warm water & soap but that's IT. Nothing else to do to keep it looking like new! 

These black jewelry pieces will be on the website soon - click here to sign up for the email list so you don't miss it when they hit the website!

It's a process, taking photos of my jnew jewelry. First the right camera (the phone is great for some things, like this candid shot, but for great photos, I had to get a new camera. I love this one but, you know, yes, there was definitely a learning curve! Not to mention the remote shutter release to get rid of that pesky shake that inevitably happens when I push the shutter release button on the camera itself. Finally got everything working yesterday and took the photo below -happy with it!! 

Those jewelry pieces will be on the website in February...or maybe before. Sign up for my email list so that you never miss new jewelry on the website! 

This is one of the very first pieces of jewelry I made using oxidized sterling silver as the base, with freshwater pearls (lots & lots of freshwater pearls), accented with gold. Definitely a learning curve learning to oxidize silver and get it as black as I pictured it in my head but I was finally happy with the result. Big black statment necklace with pearls! 

This necklace is available in my online store - Click here to check it out & shop!

More pearl earrings for the June birthday girl! The birthstone for June is Pearl - pearl earrings are especially nice combined with sterling silver. Want to know more about pearls? Go here to find some interesting facts about freshwater pearls!

The birthstone for June is the on so  popular and elegant pearl! Pearls are likely to be one of your best friends in your jewelry box. These are unique earrings because they combine the warmth of copper with the warmth of freshwater pearls, a perfect pairing!

Here are a just a few interesting facts about freshwater pearls:

1. The pearl is the only jewel found in a living animal

2. Freshwater pearls account for about 95% of the total global pearl production

3. Freshwater pearls are formed in mussels living in lakes, creek beds and river bottoms

4. Freshwater pearls are produced commercially in China, Japan and the United States (in the  Mississippi River Basin)

5. The earliest record of pearls used as precious objects are artifacts from Mesopotamia, dated 2300 B.C.

6. A single mussel is capable of producing up to 50 pearls at a time! 

Hand-stamped sterling silver cross earrings with genuine freshwater pearls hand wrapped in thin sterling silver wire. These make a lovely Mother's Day gift or birthday gift for her. These drop cross earrings are sure to please - a gift for you? Great idea! You deserve !

Honestly, there earrings seem to be everyone's favorite - whether for themselves or for a gift for mom or daughter.

There is a classic look to hand hammered sterling silver earrings; freshwater pearls have been popular in women's jewelry for a very long time.

The size is also important to the popularity of these silver earrings, I think. Measuring just a little over 1" in length, they are just right  for any occasion,  any hairstyle and any outfit. No thinking needed in the morning - just thrown them on & go!

Simple handmade hoop earrings! These are wonderful just because they are so classic and comfortable. They measure about 1.25" long, including the handmade sterling silver earwires.

I am so excited to announce that the brand new layered necklaces"Strata" collection is finally here! Shown here are the freshwater pearl layered necklaces - the longest is a luxurious 40" and the shortest is 26". 

Sterling silver heart earrings accented with genuine freshwater pearls - so sweet! Great gift for girls of any age - wife, grandmother, niece, cousin, best friend. Pick up one for her & one for you! 

Pearls are such a classic look and have been for many decades. I know I am probably biased but my personal favorite look in pearl jewelry is sterling silver and pearls. Pearl earrings don't have to be dull and boring - the earrings above are anything but dull and are still classic, go-to earrings.

Copper is such a great warm metal for fall and winter and pearl jewelry is always classic. The combination of silver and copper provide just a touch of the mixed metal look that is so versatile & popular. Put it on & go - what could be simpler than that?

Happy first day of fall!

These simple sterling silver hoop earrings for women are accented with a tiny genuine gemstone. The gemstones are in your choice of freshwater pearl, turquoise, malachite, jade, lapis lazuli, onyx or amethyst.  I love making these silver hammered earrings because they give a minimalist vibe and still have enough interest, thanks to the different gemstone options to be interesting.  Of course, if you prefer the simple sterling silver hoop with no gemstone, that is available as well.  

These are great Christmas gifts, Hanukkah gifts as well as birthday gifts!

I love the combination of sterling silver and freshwater pearls!  Not only is it a lovely combination but the combination is perfect for all seasons of the year. Pearls lend a light and airy look to summer fashion and are a wonderful compliment to the "winter whites" in your closet.  

This is a true jewelry classic, in my opinion.  In fact, speaking of "classic", I put together this Pinterest board called "Classic Fashion" that I thought you would enjoy!  Go here to have a look:  Laura Teague Jewelry:  Classic Fashion

If you would like to sign up for my email list (to get monthly free shipping coupons), you can click here to do that:  Sign me Up!

That's all for now - see you next time!
​Laura

In the first post in the series, we talked about categorizing all that jewelry that you have into 4 groups (basically, "keepers" and "perhaps not keepers"); in the second post, we talked about possibilities as you think about those "perhaps not keepers" and ways to move them on in meaningful ways.  In this post, we'll look more closely at the "keeper" jewelry and see how those pieces can fit in to your overall jewelry wardrobe - those "must haves" that everyone needs.

Group 1 are the pieces you absolutely love for whatever reason - maybe just because someone dear to you gave it to you.  (My mom's wedding rings fall into this category for me.) These do not have to be expensive pieces and maybe you don't wear them all the time or even often.  Some of these pieces may well fit into your ideal jewelry wardrobe.  Even if they don't, that's no reason to give these pieces away - you do love them, after all, right?  That's reason enough to keep them for now.

Group 2 are the pieces that you do wear over and over, day after day. Chances are, many of these pieces will fit into your jewelry wardrobe.

Now, let's look at some "guiding concepts" as you develop a jewelry wardrobe:

1.  your jewelry should be things that YOU love - not what someone else loves or thinks you should love
2.  price doesn't matter - if you love it & wear it often, go for it.  Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's right for you
3.  you might think about having a "signature" piece of jewelry, something that you wear almost everyday
4.  as your tastes change (and they do), don't be afraid to change your jewelry over the years; just because you loved and wore those little pearl earrings when you were 20 years old doesn't mean you still have to wear them daily!
5.  jewelry you are going to wear frequently should be something you LOVE to wear - that means it's comfortable and that you love the look of it.  Do not compromise on this - if it is uncomfortable or doesn't look like "you", you won't wear it.