Dan Dye Designs

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 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.

Argentium silver hammered tiered choker necklace - sold!

I crafted this choker from 10 gauge Argentium silver wire, all fused together and carefully hammered.  It reminds me of my beloved North Carolina mountains or of the waves breaking on one of our beaches.  Many of my pieces are drawn from the landscapes that I love! 

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 Pendant w/ Chrysacola and Sea-turtle Back - sold

This chrysacola cabachon reminded me of the beautiful waters of the Caribbean and inspired me to make a 2-sided pendant that features a sea-turtle on the back.  There is also a swirling tangle of sea-weed around the design that a chain or choker necklace will fit through.

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 Side-opening Choker Necklace - sold

I designed this choker necklace so it will latch securely on one side.  The design was inspired by a gorget that was worn in colonial times as a sign of high rank.

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 Bolo with Ribbon-cut Turquoise - Sold!!

Fresh off my work-bench for 2020, this is my new bolo that features a cabachon of ribbon cut turquoise.  I bought this stone last year from my friend, Andy Brown, who mined it in the Hachita Mountains of southern New Mexico.  He calls this a ribbon cut because the seam of turquoise goes across the surface of the stone like a colorful ribbon.  I decided to use the antique brown 6 strand leather bolo because that color is also in the surrounding matrix of the stone.  I made the tips to look like rattlesnakes, crawling up the tips of the bolo cord.  (In Andy's honor, since he was bitten by one a few years ago while walking home one night.  But don't worry, he's fine now!)

Angel White Veracite in Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant/Pin - sold!

Just in time for Christmas, I made this angel pin/pendant  using a natural white veracite stone from Cerrillos, New Mexico as her skirt.   She measures 1-5/8"  high and 1-7/8" across.  Designed primarily as a lapel pin, I am including a converter that I made from sterling tubing so she can also be worn on a choker or a chain as a pendant.  To get the "feathers" on her wings, I rolled the sterling sheet through my rolling mill with lace on both sides, which crushed the lace into the surface of the silver.

Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant with Black Garnet Crystal Cluster - sold

I bought this interesting black garnet crystal cluster recently from my friend, Chris Whitley and designed this pendant to complement it.

Argentium Sterling Silver pendant with Ethiopian teardrop opal - sold!

This pendant features a natural Ethiopian opal that measures 19X13mm and 5.88 carats.  The beauty of the stone comes forward as light moves over it's surface!

Argentium Sterling Silver Bolo with Cerrillos turquoise - sold!

I got this beautiful "ribbon cut"  oval shaped cabachon from Andy Brown a few months ago that he had cut & polished from a stone that he mined in the mountains surrounding his home in Cerrillos, New Mexico.  I photographed it on a piece of the same rock which shows the vein of turquoise that cuts across the base stone.  I used tan leather bolo cord, similar in color to the New Mexico mountains and finished it with my own hand-made sterling tips!

Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant & Choker Necklace - sold

Sometimes my brain keeps working even when I'm asleep.  I woke up last week with this pendant design in mind.  It is constructed using 2 different widths of half round silver wire that I bent into shape and then fused together.

Argentium Sterling Silver Bolo with Ethiopian Opal - sold

This custom bolo was made especially for a long-time friend who wanted a piece with the Star of David design.  It has a  3-dimensional design which frames a trillian shaped Ethiopian opal.

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.

Argentium Sterling & 14k Gold pendant with Ethiopian Opal - sold

This beautiful Ethiopian opal is surrounded by a framework of sterling silver and 14k gold.  As the pendant moves, brilliant flashes of red, green and blue move across the stone. 

Argentium Sterling Pendant with Chrysocola - sold

This pendant features a beautiful blue/green chrysocola cabachon that reminded me of Caribbean waters, so the reverse side shows a loggerhead sea turtle.  

Argentium sterling pendant with Druzy Pyrite - sold

 This Druzy Pyrite was mined in Wayne County, NC by my friend, Chris Whitley.  He cut it to this angular pentagon, which inspired my pendant design in square sterling wire.  It measures 3" in length  and will be  shown at the NC State Fair in the Village of Yesteryear!

Argentium silver pendant with Emerald matrix cabachon - sold

This emerald in matrix cabachon was mined in the Crabtree mine in Little Switzerland, NC.  it was cut and polished on both sides by Chris Whitley.  Since it came from the mountains of North Carolina, on the back side, I created a view of the rows of mountains that you see there.

Argentium Silver Pendant with Johnston County, NC Jasper - sold

  I asked my local friend, Chris Whitley for some North Carolina stones to feature at the 2018 State Fair & he brought me a few interesting cabachons.  This one was found in Johnston County, the next county to mine.  Chris polished both sides & I noticed that on the back side, I could see the head & face of a deer, looking out through the foliage.  So the back of this pendant has an opening in the trees on the right side and the deer image is just to the right of the center tree!

Argentium Sterling Silver Open Front Necklace - - Sold

Usually I design a complicated piece of jewelry, but sometimes I get an idea for a simple and elegant necklace.  This piece combines two different shapes of sterling wire for a graceful effect.  

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 Pendant with Psilomelane cabachon - sold

I have always been fascinated by psilomelane, since I first discovered it years ago at a gem show.  It is a black, banded manganese oxide that is formed deep in the earth under great pressure.  My challenge was to design a pendant from this piece that would mimic the curving bands of the mineral.  It will look good if worn with a solid choker, as shown, or on a chain.

Argentium Sterling Pendant with Pietersite Cabachon - sold

I have long been attracted to the shimmering chatoyancy of the blue, black and gold grain of Pietersite.  My friend, Chris Whitley cut and polished both sides of this stone so I could design a pendant that is reversible.  This stone was first found and is still mined in Namibia, South Africa.  My design reflects my love of the out-of-doors, with a combination of leaves and other vegetation.  My maker's marks are hidden in the loop at the top and the pendant is about 1-1/4" in length.

Argentium Sterling Pendant with Kyanite - sold

I bought this piece of rich blue Kyanite from my friend, Chris Whitley, because I loved the wonderful  bands of color.  I often keep a stone for a while before designing a piece of jewelry that accents it.  This pendant is a result of several months of that waiting process.  I created this piece so it can be worn with either side exposed and my "makers marks" are concealed inside the loops at the top.  It measures just over 2" in length.

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 w/ Kingman Turquoise - sold

 

I bought this amazing piece of Kingman, Arizona turquoise from Andy Brown in Los Cerrillos, N.M. in June.  It has a combination of areas of rich sky blue, of black and of shiny silvery pyrite.  Quite unlike any piece of turquoise that I have ever seen.....I had to have it!  It can be worn on a choker or a chain necklace.

 

Argentium Sterling Pendant with Cerrillos Turquoise - sold

 

This my last piece of unused turquoise that I brought home from my latest trip to Santa Fe, N.M. in June.  It was mined, cut and polished by Andy Brown of Los Cerrillos, N.M.  I was reminded of looking up at the clear blue sky through the trees in Andy's backyard and decided that this would be the inspiration for this pendant.  It can be worn with the stone showing or with the reverse side of solid silver vegetation visible.

Argentium Sterling Pendant with Dendritic Opal - sold

  I bought this opaque dendritic opal cabachon from Madagascar from my friend, Chris Whitley, several years ago.  I have been waiting for the right inspiration for how to best use it.  The colors reminded me of a snowy winter sky, especially if you hold it up and let the light come through.  Because Chris polished both sides, I was able to make a pendant that is reversible. 

Argentium Sterling and Royston, Nevada Turquoise Necklace - Sold!

I brought this beautiful piece of Royston, Nevada turquoise home following my June visit to Santa Fe.  It was cut and polished by my young friend, Andy Brown.  I designed it so the choker can be worn by itself or with the stone pendant in place..... a "convertible" necklace!

 

Argentium Sterling and Labradorite Pendant - sold

Once again, the stone inspires my design.  This rich blue labradorite stone on the left  is counter-balanced by the open "negative space"  on the right.  I love labradorite and how the stone reveals its color and shimmering character as the piece moves in the light.  It is tricky to photograph!

Argentium sterling pendant with Hachita, N.M. turquoise - sold

I bought this elongated teardrop turquoise cabachon from my friend, Andy Brown, this past June.  He mined it in Hachita in southern New Mexico.  I wasn't sure how I was going to use it, so I waited for an inspiration to come to me and this inverted design evolved.  I will have it for sale at the 2017 NC State Fair in the Village of Yesteryear, beginning on October 12th.

   

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 Sterling Silver Secret Garden Pendant with Azurite/Malachite - sold!

I bought this rich blue/green cabachon on a recent trip to New Mexico.  It was mined in Morenci, Arizona.  I hand-fabricated the intricate pendant with a "night garden" design on the back side so either side can be worn facing out.  The pendant measures approximately 1-1/2" in length.

Argentium Sterling and Hachita Turquoise Pendant - sold

When I saw this special piece of turquoise from the Hachita mountains of southern New Mexico, I knew that it would be the centerpiece of a unique pendant.  It has a natural cross image that is formed across the tan matrix stone.  It inspired a 2-sided piece with the stone on the front and 3 crosses on the back.  It was bought by the very first lady who saw it!

Argentium Sterling Silver Necklace with Hachita Turquoise & Spiny Oystershell - Sold

I recently returned from a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico with a fresh supply of stones from the Southwest.  I saw the Pueblo Natives using a combination of spiny oyster shell from Equador with a variety of local turquoise to create their jewelry. Trading was very common among ancient peoples for many centuries and these mixtures of stones were common.  This necklace incorporates these stones with my own design ideas for a fresh look.

Bisbee, Arizona turquoise and Argentium Sterling Silver Ring - sold

I bought this beautiful piece of Bisbee,Arizona turquoise in June 2016 from my friend, Andy Brown, of Cerrillos,New Mexico.  The stone inspired this necklace, which is not at all a traditional Native American style, but rather more representative of "Dan Dye" style.

Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant with Chrysoprase Gemstone - sold

My good friend, Chris Whitley, brought me this beautiful, translucent chrysoprase cabachon recently and I wanted to create a special pendant to display it.  Chris had polished both sides of the stone so the pendant is finished on either side.  

Argentium Sterling Open Front Necklace with Royston Turquoise - sold

This is a new necklace that I will be showing for the first time on October 13 in the Village of Yesteryear at the NC State Fair. I bought this beautiful turquoise stone in June, while on a trip to Santa Fe. My New Mexico friend, Andy Brown, got the rough stone at a mine in Royston, Nevada and then cut and polished it. The pendant can also be removed and the open front necklace can be worn by itself (but why would you?!?).

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. 

Argentium Silver and Turquoise Necklace - sold

This past May 2016, I bought this beautiful piece of turquoise that was mined in Royston, Arizona. I like to design necklaces that can be worn by themselves or with a well-crafted pendant that features a one-of-a-kind stone like this one.  Andy Brown of Cerrillos, New Mexico cut and polished this stone.

Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant with Chrysocolla - sold

This new pendant features a beautiful chrysocolla cabachon that I bought from Andy Brown in Cerrillos, New Mexico in June 2016.  It gets the rich blue/green hue from copper that is present in the earth.  The pendant measures just over 2-1/2" from top to bottom.

Argentium Sterling Silver Open Front Necklace with Hachita Turquoise - sold

I just returned from a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico in late June, where I visited with Andy Brown in Cerrillos.  I bought this beautiful piece of turquoise from Andy, which he had mined in the Hatchita mountains in southern New Mexico & then cut and polished.  I designed a necklace that mimicked the veins in the stone in the braided strands of silver.

Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant with Druzy Quartz & Agate Stone - Sold!

Once again, I am inspired to design a creative open front necklace to feature a beautiful stone cut and polished by my friend, Chris Whitley.  This agate has a center of black druzy quartz that is visible from either side, since Chris carefully polished both sides.  The necklace can be worn with the pendant attached or by itself, after the pendant is slid off.

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 Roadrunner bolo

I have a friend who lives in Santa Fe who has an occasional roadrunner visiting on his property.  He and his wife enjoy feeding the local birds, but the roadrunner prefers to find its own food. It  eats insects, lizards, snakes and other small critters that it can run down.  I made this bolo especially for Jim.  It was sculpted "hot", meaning that I made it by pushing red-hot argentium sterling silver around on a ceramic plate with my steel tweezers, shaping and fusing the metal into the bird.   It looks like it was "cast" but it wasn't!  The tips are small snakes made from 12 gauge silver wire, which are wrapped around the desert colored leather braided cord, as if they are climbing up the length. In many parts of the US, a bolo tie may look strange, but in the Southwest, they are quite fashionable!  Needless to say, Jim was delighted!!

Argentium Sterling Silver Choker with Cerrillos Turquoise - sold

This is another beautiful piece of turquoise that tempted me on my last trip to Cerrillos, New Mexico.  I just created this choker-style necklace to frame the shape of the stone.  Andy Brown of Cerrillos mined the stone and polished it, so one again there are just two people between the ground and the customer!

Argentium Sterling Silver Necklace with Cerrillos Turquoise - sold!

This is my latest open front necklace that features a beautiful pale blue/green natural turquoise cabachon stone from Cerrillos, New Mexico.  I bought it last year on a trip to Santa Fe and it was mined, cut and polished by my friend, Andy Brown.  I designed the pendant so it can be worn on the necklace or it can be removed and the necklace can be worn by itself.  The design of the necklace has 3 teardrop shapes which mirror the inverted stone.