The butterfly has special meaning because though its body and wings are frail to the touch, it is decidedly tough. And it can't be denied that they are one of natures most beautiful wonders. They are not frail in migratory pattern because they travel great distances, they can also be territorial and have exceptional camouflage skills. For these reasons they have a history of meaning spanning the softer things like the soul and harder ones like warfare!
For the Gregore and Jennifer-Rabe jewelry workshop in Santa Barbara, butterflies and moths are primarily a thing of beauty, their delicate form elicits images of gardens, mesmerizing movement and exquisite color. There are thousands of species, that vary greatly in size, and color, colors that shimmer and glow in the presence of light.
Sterling Silver blackened snakes, with carved green chrysophrase butterflys mounted onto 18 karat white gold antenna set with white diamonds
I really like these snake and butterfly earrings by Gregore because they are an interesting juxtaposition between the "dangerous" snake and the delicate butterfly. Together they create a whimsical picture that is both charming and ever so gentle. The snake tamed by a butterfly! They are light to wear, and well priced so that anyone can wear jewelry that is both nicely crafted and beautifully designed.
Sterling silver chain and body, blackened, mother of pearl wings, white diamonds on the antenna
The butterfly pendant I made is with the butterfly wings Gregore cut for me on the CNC mill. I have made a series of pieces with the wings because they are a nice size and very beautiful.
This particular necklace was donated for this years Hospice of Santa Barbara, to celebrate the 2017 Heroes of Hospice of Santa Barbara “Jewels by the Sea” at the Four Seasons Biltmore, Coral Casino. This year, they will be honoring the Flower Empower program of the Dream Foundation; Cancer Center of Santa Barbara; and Charles Zimmer—longtime past executive director ofHospice of Santa Barbara (HSB). A nice touch is that Hospice of Santa barbara has a butterfly on their logo!
an organization well worth supporting!
In this next picture I used four butterflies to surround a center stone and make a pendant.
pendant in sterling silver, blackened, with mother of pearl wings, and a large moonstone cabochon
Finally there is nothing quite as beautiful as natural stone. That is what we are hunting when Gregore and I go to our annual trek to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
When we go it is to hunt for any unusual stones that we had not seen before or to get more of something we really like to use. And happily it is the meeting ground for many of our friends in the jewelry business. When we found the Ocean Jasper from Madagascar we were immediately enthralled. Unfortunately the mine is now closed so what we do have is rare. But the piece that was most beautiful ended up in jewelry. This brooch is is such a piece.
brooch in 18 karat white gold, ocean jasper wings, and white diamonds in the antenna and body
As you can see the butterfly is a very versatile and appealing motif. It is one that the Gregore and Jennifer-Rabe Jewelers workshop in Santa Barbara really love, and will continue to use from here on out!