Handmade Apatite and Pearl Bracelet

On the Beach 

Pacific blue oval apatite beads, large baroque freshwater pearls, vivid, sparkling peridot faceted small beads and sterling silver beads.

The first time I saw apatite I was struck with the brilliant neon blue color. I didn't know for a long time that apatite is found in many other colors including green, yellow and brown. It's mined in Mexico, Canada, India and many other places. It's a fairly soft gemstone, 5.0 on the Moh's scale with the hardest gemstone being 10. It's composition is complicated, as it is made of several minerals. As a clear gemstone it's quite expensive, but in recent years I have seen it as an opaque gemstone like these, which is still gorgeous and a bit more affordable.

I just love peridot. It's such a delicate shade of green - like new spring growth. It's also very cheerful. Peridot has been mined for about 4,000 years. It's actually a form of olivine. It's a fairly hard gemstone and is mined in several locations around the world including several places in the US. Ancient civilizations associated it with the sun and it was worn to drive away darkness. It's the birthstone for August. 

I also love these big unique shiny baroque freshwater pearls. I love their luster and interesting shape. Pearls are symbolic of feminity and innocence. They're also associated with the moon and water. In Indian astrology pearls are worn to enhance the influence of the moon.

This bracelet is 7 1/4 inches long with a 1 inch extender chain. It should comfortably fit wrists from 6 1/4 to 7 1/2 inches.                         
The oval apatite beads are 10x13 mm (about 3/8 inch by 1/2 inch. The pearls are about 8 x 9 inches (about 1/3 inch).                             
The extender chain is 1 inch long.

All metal is sterling silver.

This bracelet is one of a kind.