The Evolution of the Butterfly

Click on the thumbnail to see the full image of the butterfly

This is a presentation of the conception and creation of a large, filigree butterfly necklace. The butterfly measures aproximately 5 by 5 inches plus the chain. Stones used are spectrolite, australian opal, boulder opal doublets, faceted garnets, faceted blue zircons and a faceted ametrine, as well as freshwater pearl dangles and units in the chain. The entire piece is built up from individual wires and settings of sterling silver.

You can click on any of the thumbnails below for a larger image and where appropriate, more detailed information about what is happening in the picture.

I hope you both enjoy and find my presentation an enlightening glimse into the evolution of my butterfly.

-Jeanne Rhodes Moen

Original sketch

sketch and stones scanned and put together

Main Stone

Color printout of design and beginning framework

Beginning framework

First filigree-upper wings

More filigree

Upper wings layed out

Now for the lower wings

Almost done

Finished with cutting and bending

Preparing solder

Solder chips

Taking the design out of storage

Making the first setting

Ready to solder the bezel

Preparing to cut the bottom plate

Look! They fit!

Laying out solder and flux for soldering

Pickleing the silver

Head and body settings.

Preparing the first filigree for soldering

combining filigree and framework

Putting in more filigree...

Next wing...

Closeup lowerwing

More than half way...

Action shot...soldering

Flux and solder

More action

Out of the fire and into the pickle

Starting the second set.

One comparison

Another comparison

One set of matching wings

All 4 wings

Opal doublet settings

Parts is parts...as they say.

Putting the settings in place.

Wings and body

Making connections

More connections

Nearly done

Final setting.

All done!!!