Summer Jewelry Collection 2025: Opalized Wood, Rare Royston Turquoise & Fleur Designs

Living in the Pacific Northwest means constant inspiration from ocean, forest, and coastline. This summer's mood board drove every design decision in Salt Creek Silver's newest collection.

The Elements That Sparked Everything

Turquoise beads catching morning light. That pop of color transports you to clearer waters. Deep blues or bright Caribbean greens—turquoise brings life to any piece.

Ocean waves and rhythmic water sounds. Living near the coast keeps this inspiration close. Silver catches light like sunlight dancing on water.

Vibrant Indian paintbrush flowers in coral-orange. These wild blooms create perfect contrast against ocean blues. That sunset color palette feels alive.

Sun-warmed shells from beach walks. Each tells a story of tides and time. They remind me why I work with natural textures and flowing forms.

How a Mood Board Becomes a Collection

These inspirations become the foundation of every piece I create. Turquoise beads translate to chunky silver that feels substantial yet effortless. Ocean blues become stones ranging from deep navy to bright aqua, each hand-selected for unique character.

Coral-orange paintbrush flowers? Perfect nail color pairings. Statement pieces that work with sunset coral or turquoise polish that matches your stones.

The Stones That Made This Collection Special

Opalized Wood – Working with this unique gem for the first time completely captivated me. This rare material captures millions of years of history in every piece, where ancient wood has been replaced by precious opal while keeping its original grain and structure intact. It's both fossil and gem—a fusion of ancient history and gemology. The transformation happens under unique geological conditions when mineral-rich water gradually replaces the wood's structure with silica. The passage of time creates something completely unique in each stone, with color variations from milky turquoise blues and greens to the deep browns and blacks that honor the wood's original form.

Rare Royston Turquoise – My favorite turquoise is finally making its debut in this collection. I've been carefully collecting these stones for years from my personal stash, waiting for the right collection to showcase them properly. What makes Royston special is that deep, dark teal tone you can't find in any other turquoise. It's distinctly American—from a mine that's still active in Nevada, though most of the highest grade stones have already been pulled from the earth. These are becoming increasingly rare, and each stone represents the best of what I've been able to source.

Sonoran Gold Turquoise – The bright greens and blues of Sonoran Gold have become our customers' most loved turquoise in production. There's something about these vibrant colors that perfectly captures that summer energy. Whether set in statement pieces or used in our popular beading turquoise necklaces, these stones add that fun punch of color every summer wardrobe needs.

The Fleur Collection: Mastering New Techniques

This collection pushed me to perfect one of the most challenging techniques in silversmithing—the intricate cut lines that bring the Fleur designs to life. Using a diamond sintered disc, steady hands, and intense concentration, each line has to be perfectly precise and deep. The real challenge comes in soldering without letting any metal flow into those crisp lines.

These hand-cut details create the flower-inspired petals that make each piece feel organic yet refined. The lines bring together the entire design like individual petals growing from a garden, showcasing months of perfecting technique that I'm excited to share.

Sterling Silver Shells: Summer Fun Fashion

No summer collection would be complete without capturing the essence of those beach walks and shell discoveries. The sterling silver shell pieces embody that carefree summer fun fashion – lightweight, organic shapes that move with you and catch the light like sun-warmed treasures you'd find in the sand.

Designing for Real Summer Adventures

Summer jewelry needs to work as hard as you play. Picture outdoor concerts under string lights—your jewelry catches every bit of evening glow. Or vacation restaurants with waves crashing nearby—your statement necklace starts conversations.

Summer events need pieces that bring impact. Beading turquoise necklaces layer perfectly for festivals, while Fleur collection pieces provide sophisticated statements for dinner dates.

The Beauty of Chunky Silver

There's something incredibly satisfying about substantial silver jewelry. It feels intentional, confident, and effortless all at once. Chunky pieces have this amazing ability to anchor an outfit while still feeling completely natural to wear. They're bold enough to stand alone or layer beautifully when you want to create something more complex.

Whether it's showcasing rare Royston turquoise or highlighting the ancient beauty of opalized wood, these substantial silver settings give each stone the stage it deserves.

Your Summer Story

Every piece of jewelry should tell your story, and summer stories are the best kind. They're about spontaneous adventures, long evenings that stretch into night, and those perfect moments when everything just feels right.

What's on your summer mood board? I'd love to hear about the colors, textures, and moments that are inspiring your style this season. Are you drawn to ocean blues like me, or is your summer palette entirely different? Drop me a line and share your summer adventures – I'm always looking for new inspiration for future collections.

The Collection Continues

This summer collection brings together elements I've been developing for months—from the rare stones I've been saving to the technical challenges I've been eager to master. Each piece captures a different element of these warm-weather inspirations, designed to help you create your own unforgettable summer moments.

Ready to add some summer adventure to your jewelry collection? Browse the latest pieces at Salt Creek Silver and find your perfect match for the season ahead.