Necklaces from Maria Helena Spector

Jewelry artist Maria Helena Spector says: "I was brought up in Peru and studied art at University. My Peruvian culture, artist’s training and European education influence my use of color and shape in unique ways to produce unusual and different ranges of jewelry. I source and select from producers and wholesalers all over the world, as well as from Peru, and I will cut, hand polish and finish many of the stones myself, in some cases forging or melting silver onto them." Spector's work appeals to me because I am a big fan of jewelry made of natural stones, especially lava beads with an unpolished surface (see the necklace below). I love the contrast of the dark blue stones and the corals covered in 24 kt gold leaf of the beautiful necklace (above). Spector, who now lives in the UK, melted silver onto one lava bead (below) and pairs it with stones of carnelian, black agate and sterling silver to create a handsome look. What do you think? I discovered Spector on the 18kt blog.