Aquamarine Wire Wrapped Chain Bracelet

These handmade Argentium Sterling Silver bracelets feature completely natural untreated aquamarine gemstones in a beautiful range of soft blues, greens, grays and warmer earthy tones, arranged to showcase the wonderful variety of colors found in these gemstones.

• Materials: Argentium Sterling Silver and natural untreated aquamarine
• Gemstones: Eight different shades of aquamarine arranged in a repeating color pattern
• Gemstone size: Approximately 5 mm wide
• Bracelet length: Adjustable from 6.5 to 7.5 inches
• Silver links: Hand fabricated square wire rings measuring approximately 7 mm wide
• Construction: Individually wire wrapped gemstones with decorative silver spirals
• Closure: Sturdy lobster clasp with extender chain
• Extender detail: Dangling aquamarine gemstone charm
• Total weight: Approximately 9.5 grams per bracelet
• Finish: Polished Argentium Sterling Silver
• Availability: Five handmade bracelets with the same gemstone color pattern

One of the things I love most about these aquamarines is that they show a completely different side of a gemstone most people associate with blue. These are natural untreated aquamarines, so instead of the more familiar uniform blue color, they have a beautiful variety of soft greens, grays, pale blues and warmer tones. Some are more opaque and cloudy, while others have a lovely translucency that allows the light to pass through.

When I started working with these stones, I sorted them into little piles according to their colors and realized I could distinguish eight different shades. I had enough to create five bracelets with the same sequence of colors, so I arranged them into a pattern that moves through those different tones almost like a little color story. I really love how each shade complements the next.

The gemstones also have an unusual shape that falls somewhere between round and square. They're beautifully cut and polished, and even the more opaque stones catch the light as the bracelet moves. That consistent polished finish helps tie all the different colors and opacities together.

I was especially excited that the holes in these aquamarines were large enough to accommodate a slightly thicker gauge of Argentium Sterling Silver wire. This allowed me to create a more substantial wire wrap around each gemstone, including a complete decorative spiral. It's a detail I've been enjoying incorporating into my designs because it adds texture and dimension without taking attention away from the stones.

Between the individually wrapped gemstones, I hand fabricated circular links from sturdy square silver wire. I love the contrast between the clean, geometric silver circles and the softly shaped aquamarines. The bracelet has a relatively delicate profile, but the heavier wire wraps and solid silver links give it a wonderfully sturdy feel.

I chose a slightly larger lobster clasp than I typically use because I wanted the closure to feel just as substantial as the rest of the construction. The bracelet also has an extender chain, making it adjustable from 6.5 to 7.5 inches.

At the end of the extender, I added a dangling aquamarine gemstone. It's a sweet little finishing detail that adds movement, but it's also practical. When you're putting the bracelet on, the dangling charm gives the extender a little weight, making it easier to hold the chain in place while you fasten the clasp.

I was able to make five of these bracelets, each following the same eight shade color pattern. Because the aquamarines are completely natural and each gemstone is individually wrapped by hand, there will be slight variations in color, opacity and weight from one bracelet to another.

I love that these bracelets celebrate the natural variety of aquamarine rather than trying to make every stone look the same. The combination of the soft colors, beautifully polished gemstones and substantial handmade silver details makes these really unique.