Dan Dye Designs

Argentium Sterling Open Front Curving Necklace

I just finished this new open front necklace & love the curving lines of the 2 styles of silver wire.  It is a combination of 8 gauge round and wide half-round low domed stock, fused together without using any solder to join the ends.  This Argentium is made with 93.5% silver and will keep it's polish better!

Argentium sterling silver necklace

I forged and fused this necklace from 8 gauge silver for a solid weight and feel.  It will rest comfortably around your neck and shoulders.

Argentium Sterling Silver Chain Necklace

I just finished this 24" chain necklace & will be showing on October 13 at the NC State Fair.  It is forged from 12 gauge argentium silver wire (93.5% silver and all the joints are fused, rather than soldered.  I hammered one side with a textured hammer that gives a texture like woven cloth.

Malachite pendant with 24" matching Argentium silver chain

I designed this 24" Argentium silver chain to complement the Malachite stone that I bought from my friend, Chris Whitley.  The stone is approximately 2" long and can be worn on either shoulder or in front at the bottom.   It can also be removed and the chain can be worn by itself.  Since the back of the stone is also polished, I did some decorative hand-sawing to reveal the deep green stone.  The chain is made from 12 gauge silver for a solid feel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Argentium sterling silver pendant with Pietersite cabachon

I asked my friend, Chris Whitley, to cut me a few pietersite cabachons from some high quality rough from Namibia that he had.  The stone has a mix of rich dark blue and black shimmering mineral and reminds me of the dark night sky.  This pendant is reversible with an image of a cat looking at the full moon on the "back" side.  The pendant is just over 2-1/4" high & the stone is 7/8" x 1-1/8".

Argentium Sterling Silver Pendants

These photos show some of the new pendants that I created for the NC State Fair which was originally scheduled for October 2020.  Now that that has been cancelled, I am posting these pieces to my website.  They incorporate a variety of natural stones that inspire me to design these different pendants.  If you have a question about a particular piece, please send me an e-mail.    As with many of my jewelry creations, these are "one-of" and are first come, first served!

Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant w/ Mexican Chrysocolla

The green tones of this natural Mexican Chrysocolla made me think of the lush foliage that we have enjoyed this summer.  I constructed this 2-sided pendant so either side shows off the various colors.  I concealed my maker's marks inside the loop at the top.  Since the NC State Fair has been cancelled for this year, I am not holding back my inventory.  This makes this special "miniature sculpture" a first come, first served piece!!

Argentium Sterling Silver Open Front Necklace

  I combined 4 gauge half round and 8 gauge round argentium sterling silver wire to create this stylish,and sweeping open front necklace.  

Argentium Sterling Silver Open Front Necklace

Sometimes I think that a simple and graceful design is the most elegant.  This fused and forged necklace demonstrates this idea.  This necklace will be a beautiful accent to any style of clothing.

Carolina Jasmine Argentium Sterling Necklace

One of my favorite "harbingers" of Spring is the Carolina Jasmine vine that I have growing in my garden in Raleigh, NC.  I was inspired to create this open front  necklace by the plant that no w covers my mailbox post.  This necklace will definitely attract attention wherever it is worn!

     

Argentium Sterling Silver Variable Link Necklace

I created this 36" long sterling chain with varying links and 2 hook catches on each end.  It can be worn at full length or can be overlapped to make it a double link in the front.  

 

Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant with Cerrillos Turquoise

This piece of turquoise was mined and cut by my friend, Andy Brown, in the mountains around Cerrillos, New Mexico.  I bought it from him in June, 2017.  The stone that I photographed it on is a piece of raw stone from the same mine that has a vein of turquoise running through it.  The pendant is about 1-1/2" long. 

Argentium Silver and Cerrillos Turquoise Necklace

I designed this open front choker necklace to feature a piece of turquoise that was mined and cut by Andy Brown of Cerrillos, New Mexico.  This area is part of the "Turquoise Trail" that has been mined by Native Americans since about 700 AD.  I designed this piece so it can be worn with the stone in place or as a simple choker by itself. 

Sterling Silver Choker Necklace

I hesitate to call this necklace a "choker" because it doesn't choke the wearer at all.  It fits comfortably below the neck.  It is made from Argentium Sterling and will stay bright and shiny with very little polishing needed.  I like asymmetrical designs and this piece displays that shape as well as having smooth curves on one side and rough-textured features on the other.

Argentium Sterling Silver "V" Necklace

I made this "V" shaped necklace just for someone special on Valentine's Day.  Elegant & classic, just like the person who will wear it!

Sterling Silver fused choker necklace

I am now using Argentium Sterling Silver wire and sheet for most of my jewelry, which fuses well without using solder and doesn't tarnish as much as sterling alloyed with copper.  This choker is a recent addition! 

Sterling Silver Lazulite Pendant - $225

 The shape of this angular pendant was inspired by the shape of the Lazulite cabachon.The stone is highly polished and contains flecks of blue among a blend of dark and light gray.  It will hang from a choker or chain.

Sterling Silver Pendant w/ 8x6 London Blue Topaz - $225

I first fabricated this sterling silver "pocket" to look like an organic natural cavity.  Inside I mounted a brilliant 8mm x 6mm London Blue Topaz teardrop stone.  It will look beautiful on either a choker or a chain.

Sterling Silver Double Link Necklace - $425

  This sterling silver necklace chain was inspired by a beautifully crafted iron chain that I found in my grandmother's barn in 1975.  The necklace consists of double interwoven and twisted links handmade from 12 gauge sterling wire.  It weighs just over 3-1/2 ounces and measures almost 26 inches in length.

Sterling silver Open Front Spiral Necklace - $225

This open front silver necklace curves gracefully around the neck with a series of overlapping spirals.  You can even hang your favorite pendant from the lower loop.

Sterling silver and teardrop Chrysocolla pendant - $260

This pendant combines the rich blues and greens of chrysocolla with the bright sheen of polished sterling silver in a graceful design.  I cut out the back in a complementing pattern and the pendant can be worn with this side showing.

Sterling silver and Chrysocolla pendant - $280

I bought this richly colored chrysocolla stone in Sedona, Arizona in 2011 and designed this pendant to enhance it.  The solid sterling plate that it rests on is engraved to complement the wire components that frame the stone.

Sterling Silver Pendant with Malachite - $185

   The idea for this pendant was inspired by Navaho designs that I saw recently in Arizona.  I combined a 5/8" malachite gemstone that I bought in Sedona with the two layers of sterling silver sheet.  The pendant measures just over 1-3/4" in length.

Sterling Silver Pendant with Picasso Stone - $190

   I like the combination of an organic looking Picasso stone with the highly polished arms of sterling silver.  A choker or chain can be fitted through any of the three loops.  It measures 2' in length.

Sterling Silver with Apache Gold Stone - $390

I designed this striking pendant to combine the angular cut of the Apache Gold stone with the triangular shape of the sterling silver rods.  The stone comes from Arizona.  The pendant measures 3-1/4" in length and comes with a matching open front choker which was also made from the same triangular sterling rods.

Sterling Silver pendant with Ruby-Zoisite - $225

   The rich colors of this crystaline ruby-zoisite contrast nicely with the highly polished silver pendant.  I sculpted the "fingers" of the pendant so they would fold around the stone to hold it securely.  The stone is 1/4" thick and the pendant measures just over 2-1/2" in length.

Sterling Silver pendant with Larvikite - $235

   This Southwest inspired pendant combines sparkling sterling silver with the black, silver and shimering blue of Larvikite, a feldspar/granite found in Norway.  It measures 3" in length.

Sterling Silver Heart chain necklace - $225

I fashioned this hammered wire heart chain with a whimsical twist from 12 ga. sterling silver wire.  The catch is concealed in one of the links to blend with all the others.  It measures 21-1/2" in length.

Open Front Hammered Sterling Silver Choker with Matching Earrings- $325

  I designed this striking open front necklace with curving hammered bands to rest gracefully just below the neck.  A pair of complementing earrings, hanging from "french wires", comes with the set.

Sterling Silver "Night Garden" Pendant with Petersite - $275 - sold

The combination of ochre brown, black and blue reminded me of a night sky, so I created this pendant to feature it.  The blue areas tend to flash as the pendant moves.  It can be worn on a choker or chain.

Sterling Silver Pendant - $145

The three hammered pieces of this pendant wrap over each other like a sash.  It measures 3-1/4" in length.

Sterling silver Nautilus Necklace - $425

I designed this necklace over 15 years ago while enjoying a beach vacation. My original sketch was more oval shaped, but as I was making it, I realized that a question mark shape would follow the spiraling lines of the shell better. It fits comfortably around the back of the neck.  The piece is about 9-1/2" long.

Sterling silver pendant and earring set - Available $125

Available with a variety of chains, that range from $20 to $35 in cost.

Sterling silver Star of Bethlehem ornament/pendant

I made the original in 1981 for my mother to give to a special friend of hers.  Most are worn as a cross on a chain and can be enjoyed all year long.  By far, it is my most popular design!

 

Also see this ornament in a nativity scene.

Sterling silver sand dollar pin/pendant $160

Available as a custom order.  I use a real sand dollar from the beach in North Carolina to model the size, shape & placement of holes.  The hammered surface mimics the dappled appearance of this beach treasure.  Size approx.  2" x 2 1/4"

Sterling silver Holly ornament/pendant

This was originally designed as a Christmas ornament, but I've found over the years that many people also wear this as a pendant on a chain.

Sterling silver Poinsettia ornament/pendant

This started out as a Christmas ornament, but it can also be worn as a pendant on a chain.