Black with Red Edges Dyed Red Jasper Drops

If you have read any of my other blog posts, you might know that quartz drop earrings are easily my best-selling style of earrings. You may also know that I ran out of my quartz beads recently and have been trying other alternatives. I bought new quartz beads, which are beautiful but just not quite the same, sadly. I decided to try with these smaller dyed Jasper beads. It was a challenge to shrink the entire design as I usually use 10mm beads and these were only 8mm beads. But I think I rose to the occasion!

I will try to describe some of the metaphysical properties of jasper but keep in mind this is heavily dyed jasper so it is difficult if not impossible to tell what kind of jasper it is. But in general jasper is considered a nurturing stone, known for its ability to ground and stabilize its bearer by providing comfort and security. It is thought that this nurturing/comforting property is the reason that Ancient Egyptians included it so frequently in burial procedures, often alongside inscriptions of the book of the dead. Perhaps believing it would help provide security on the journey through the afterlife.

I don't expect these earrings to be quite as popular as the quartz ones are, simply because the neutral grey/white of the quartz is more universally appealing than such a bold red. My hope is however for those people who enjoy bright pops of color these red drops will be exactly what they are hoping to find! I had enough jasper beads to make seven or eight pairs, so look forward to seeing a few more of these in the future!

For this pair I wanted red to be the main color, I really wanted this to feel like a red pair of earrings without being completely overwhelming. I think it ended up sort of toeing the line between goth and costume jewelry. I didn't end up making nearly as many red and black pairs as I did with gold. I haven't quite figured out how to tell ahead of time how something will come out. Do you think I ever will?

Supplies:

Red

Black