collection
maxin e lewis d esign
September 2011
of lustrous freshwater pearls and colourful gemstones such as amethyst, turquoise, agate, coral, onyx, lapis lazuli, garnet, amazonite, rose quartz, smoky quartz, amber and carnelian, to name but a few, combines with sterling silver and 14-karat rolled gold to create jewellery with style and individuality. The designer makes each and every piece herself and they are all “one offs”, so that in a market crowded with mass-produced jewellery, you will have a quality piece which is unique yet affordable. “I like to think that my pieces go a little way to bridgeing the gap between costume jewellery and fine jewellery.”
The use of luscious combinations of faceted coloured gemstones, pearls and precious metals in one-of-a-kind pieces has become increasingly popular in recent years. The “Bejewelled� collection features beautiful faceted gemstones such as aquamarine, amethyst, citrine, sapphire, rose quartz, smoky quartz, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, peridot, iolite, fluorite and beryl. "These gems are sometimes featured as a solo act accompanied by precious metals. Or they may be contrasted with different coloured gems (such as amethyst with yellow beryl, or vivid green flourite with the clear azure tones of blue topaz). Others are combined with stunning specimens of freshwater pearls for the most classically elegant look. One of my favourites is the pair of earrings of large oval freshwater pearls with marquise cut aquamarines set in sterling silver".
Pendant of large faceted amethyst and 11mm freshwater pearl set in sterling silver on a 3mm choker length sterling silver omega chain. May also be worn clipped onto a string of pearls.
Pendant of smoky quartz and citrine set in sterling silver and 14kt rolled gold on a strand of bronze/gold freshwater pearls.
Stud earrings of pear cut faceted citrines, 14kt rolled gold and 11-12mm freshwater pearls. $140
Earrings of large oval freshwater pearls with marquise cut aquamarines (totalling 1.91 carats) and sterling silver. $235
Pendant of 1.83 carat marquise cut aquamarine set in sterling silver with large oval freshwater pearl on choker length sterling silver snake chain. $230
Enhancer pendant (with hinged clip-on bail) of large checkerboard pear cut lavender amethyst and sterling silver (shown attached to baroque pearl necklace, sold separately – $477, for illustrative purposes). May also be worn simply on a chain. $184
Choker length necklace of high quality 9-10mm freshwater pearls and 14kt rolled gold with centrepiece of 2.44 carat marquise cut rose pink tourmaline, marquise cut rhodolite garnet and 14kt rolled gold. $678
Pendant of 5.07 carat pear cut blue topaz and sterling silver with a 10mm freshwater pearl on a choker length sterling silver snake chain. The pendant has a hinged bail so it can also be attached to a strand of pearls. $256
Hook earrings of pear cut blue topaz (totalling 8.35 carats) set in sterling silver with 10mm freshwater pearls. $295
Pendant of 2.19 carat marquise cut beryl and 0.96 carat marquise cut amethyst set in 14kt solid gold on choker length 14kt rolled gold serpentine chain. $486 (May be purchased separately: Pendant $438, Chain $48).
Pendant of 6.35 carat trillion cut blue-green fluorite and 4.07 carat marquise cut blue topaz set in sterling silver on a choker length 3mm sterling silver omega chain. $303
Pendant of 10.3 carat checkerboard pear cut amethyst and sterling silver on choker length sterling silver omega chain. $380
Pendant of 2.95 carat marquise cut pink tourmaline and marquise cut white topaz set in sterling silver on choker length sterling silver omega chain. $590
One-of-a-kind pieces featuring distinctive polished gemstones, sparkling faceted gems, 14kt rolled gold, sterling silver and other materials in interesting combinations characterise the Signature Collection. Perhaps the highlight of the collection is two pieces made from ancient Roman/Byzantine glass which was excavated in the Nimroz province of Afghanistan in 2006. The Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire endured until 1453 AD with the death of Constantine XI and the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks. Byzantium included the area we know today as Afghanistan. The glass featured in these pieces is believed to be between 900 and 1200 years old – glass has not been produced in this area for 900 years. Maxine purchased one strand of these glass fragments (each strand on offer at the supplier being unique in that no two fragments of glass were alike). So these necklaces are unique indeed – you will never see any others like them!
Pendant of ancient Roman/Byzantine glass irregular oval bowl-shaped fragment (approx 45x41mm) set with a 4mm white topaz and 14kt rolled gold on a textured 14kt rolled gold choker-length necklace. $540
Necklace of ancient Roman/Byzantine glass fragments and 14kt rolled gold with a centrepiece pendant of sterling silver and 12kt rolled gold. The necklace is set with one 0.95 carat "London blue" topaz and one 4mm white topaz. $580
Pendant of blue lace agate slice set with a 0.34 carat blue sapphire in 14kt rolled gold with a Queensland boulder opal drop on a 12kt rolled gold choker length neckwire. $345
Labradorite pendant set with a 4mm spessartite garnet on a five-strand necklace of carnelian and 14kt rolled gold. $407
Earrings of silvery black freshwater pearls, emeralds (each 4mm) and malachite drops set in 14kt rolled gold. $358
Stud earrings of champagne/taupe freshwater pearls, spessartite garnets (1.58 carats in total) and fossil coral set in 14kt rolled gold. $205
Earrings of sea blue apatites (1.23 carats total) set in 14kt rolled gold earstuds, with black freshwater pearls and chrysocolla drops. $112
Stud earrings of black freshwater pearls with mandarin sapphires (1.24 carats in total) and black onyx drops set in 14kt rolled gold. $305
Genuine freshwater pearls are used to create Maxine Lewis Design pearl jewellery. These are created by mussels in rivers, lakes and estuaries, and form either naturally or – more recently to produce a more rounded shape – are cultured in the same way as the considerably more expensive ocean pearls, such as South Sea, Tahitian or Akoya pearls (the traditional Japanese cultured pearl, such as the Mikimoto brand) produced by particular species of marine oysters.
Stud earrings of large freshwater pearls and 14kt rolled gold. $115
Cuff style bracelet of three large oval freshwater pearls set with textured finish sterling silver and 14kt rolled gold. The bracelet has a sterling silver fob (bar and ring toggle) clasp. $286
Pendant of large black baroque freshwater pearl and sterling silver on hammer finish sterling silver choker-length neck wire. $195
Classic princess length necklace of 12-16mm baroque freshwater pearls with a decorative sterling silver clasp. $477
Princess length necklace of 9-10mm black freshwater pearls with a 14kt rolled gold clasp. These pearls have a beautiful lustre and deep colour. $178
Bracelet of black baroque freshwater pearls and 14kt rolled gold. $138
Bracelet of four 11-12mm freshwater pearls with sterling silver "nuggets" and 14kt rolled gold. $232
Classic princess-length strand of naturally multi-coloured (peach/gold, lilac and white) 10-11mm freshwater pearls with a large decorative sterling silver clasp. $180
Earrings of large oval black freshwater pearls and 14kt rolled gold. $86
Choker length necklace of silver-grey freshwater pearls with a centrepiece of carved carnelian and 14kt rolled gold 14kt rolled gold magnetic clasp. $186
Earrings of large oval freshwater pearls and 14kt rolled gold. $116
Bracelet of black tourmaline faceted nuggets and 14kt rolled gold featuring one large oval freshwater pearl. $147
Princess length necklace of 11mm freshwater pearls with 14kt solid gold clasp.
Large black baroque freshwater pearl pendant on necklace of faceted clear quartz (rock crystal) and 14kt rolled gold with fob clasp feature. $198
Hook earrings of black freshwater pearls and sterling silver. $129
Hook earrings of freshwater pearls and sterling silver. $80
Princess length strand of 9–10mm freshwater pearls (very good lustre and shape) with detachable pendant of oval/pear black freshwater pearl with sterling silver bow. Sterling silver clasp. $377 (To purchase separately: Pearls $310, pendant $67)
Fabulous coloured minerals such as turquoise, amethyst, jasper, malachite, lapis lazuli, quartz, agate, chalcedony, citrine, Australian boulder opal, carnelian, and corals from the sea – the list goes on – cut and polished to bring out their inherent beauty, are combined with sterling silver, 14kt rolled gold and sometimes freshwater pearls to create pieces of character, style and individuality. No two pieces in the collection are alike, so you will have a beautiful piece of jewellery which is also unique.
Necklace of matte/satin finish carnelian nuggets and 14kt rolled gold with a pendant of fossil coral. $145
Princess length necklace of agate slices with 22kt gold vermeil (sterling silver heavy plated with 22kt gold) and 14kt rolled gold chain. $262
Pendant of malachite and 14kt rolled gold on necklace of four strands of small amethyst nuggets. The necklace has a rolled gold extension chain to adjust the length. $252
Collar style necklace with beautiful turquoise specimen centrepiece flanked with sponge coral "branches" and 14kt rolled gold. $398
Hook earrings of amethyst and vermeil (sterling silver heavily plated with 22kt gold) $68
Bracelet of amethyst and vermeil. $346
Bracelet of turquoise and sterling silver with sterling silver “nugget� dangle $165
Three-strand bracelet of caramel-toned picture jasper and 14kt rolled gold with a faceted smoky quartz dangle set in 14kt rolled gold. $190
Pendant of lapis lazuli cabochon set in 14kt rolled gold on four-strand necklace of tiny turquoise nuggets and 14kt rolled gold. $248
Pendant of Marston jasper inlaid in black onyx on princess length necklace of lava stone and 14kt rolled gold. $246
Stud earrings of tourmalinated quartz and 14kt rolled gold. $75
Bracelet of faceted tourmalinated quartz (translucent white quartz with "needles" of black tourmaline through it) and 14kt rolled gold with 14kt rolled gold ball dangle. $166
New pieces featuring the fabulous stones shown on these pages
25.28ct amethyst
Carved ruby fish (28.8mm long)
5.67ct sunstone and 5.95ct moonstone (these will be combined in a bracelet)
Faceted amethyst beads
25.58ct golden rutilated quartz
9.3ct kunzite
Pair citrines, 5.35ct total
Sponge coral
Pair blue topaz, 8.13ct total
Pair fluorite, 12.52ct total
10.75ct amethyst
116.55ct lemon quartz
Pair intense pink tourmalines, 0.32ct and 0.29ct Black agate slabs
Australian boulder opal
0.34ct sapphire
2.38ct tourmaline
Pair aquamarines, 2.79ct total Cape amethyst
For details of the collection, visit www.maxine-lewis-design-jewellery.com
Pair blue topaz, 6.86ct total
0.98ct sphene
2.98ct iolite
Polished ammonite fossil
Rough-cut cabochon of emerald crystal in quartz
Blue chalcedony
Pink tourmalines, approx 0.29ct each
Coloured stone cabochon and 6.09ct flourite (to be combined in a pendant)
www.maxine-lewis-design-jewellery.com
Graphic design by Maxine Lewis Design Š 2011