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A beautiful piece of jewelry begins as an idea, a vision.
We’d like to show you the processes involved in the creation
of a nationally award-winning necklace and earrings designed
and crafted by Michelle Harper, McCormack & Puryear’s
very talented jeweler. |
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The inspiration for the set was a graduated suite of seven
orange drusy quartz leaves [note: drusy refers to the very
fine crystalline structure of the quartz as it “grew”]. Michelle
sketched a necklace using five of the leaves connected by
gold tendrils. Her detailed sketches show both the front and
back of the piece. The remaining two leaves were sketched
as earrings. |
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Michelle then began the painstaking process of creating
a wax for each leaf’s unique mounting and the links for the
necklace. After the waxes were completed, they were sent to
a caster to be made in 18 karat peach gold, chosen to complement
the warm orange drusy carvings. |
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The castings still required much work. They had to be re-fitted,
modified, and “finished.” The links were modified and lightened,
and the clasp was crafted. A diamond added on the largest
leaf at the front of the necklace gave it just a touch of
sparkle. The earrings also received a diamond for the finishing
touch. |
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Michelle entered the suite in the Virginia Jewelers of America
Design Contest in the fall of 2002. The set won first place
and was sent to national competition in New York. In 2003,
Michelle’s creation won the Jewelers of America Design Competition
in the most expensive category. We are very proud of Michelle
Harper, fine arts graduate from the Maryland Institute, graduate
of four classes from the New Approach School for Jewelers
in Virginia Beach, and skilled bench jeweler and designer.
Her most recent training on the state-of-the art laser welder
is opening new avenues of creativity. When you want a truly
unique piece of jewelry designed just for you, McCormack &
Puryear is the place you want to visit.
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