Welcome!

Welcome to Kerkes Goldworks! Kelly Kerkes is the owner and creator of
custom made jewelry and wedding sets featuring hand carved waxes,
diamonds and gemstones. In business for 22 years, serving
Northern Colorado and the world.

"I am a master metalsmith. My background is in fine art, not a
tradeschool. During my years at the bench I have worked with every
imaginable jewelry material, from platinum and diamonds to bottle
glass and copper. I am obsessed with opals and metal objects. I believe
in bringing out the beauty of a thing and then figuring out how to
show it off. Isn't that what adornment is all about?"


If you would like to see a more
detailed portfolio of past and
present work please visit our website at

http://www.kerkesgoldworks.com

Friday, October 22, 2010

100 Rings 100 Days Day 38

100 Rings 100 Days Day 38 Apple Green Chrysoprase set in 18kyg on Sterling Silver Band, size 7 1/2, $346.00. Chrysoprase is 15mm long, 6 1/2 mm wide.
The gemstone Chrysoprase is an opalescent apple green colored variety of chalcedony (quartz) and is one of the star signs for Gemini. Chrysoprase was used by the Greeks, Romans, and the Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects and because of its semi-opaque green color, it is often mistaken for Imperial jadeite. Chrysoprase is associated with gentleness, soothingness, friendliness, and spiritual protection. It is thought to prevent depression, increase grace and equilibrium and is said to increase fertility.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59674028/100-rings-100-days-day-38-apple-green

Thursday, October 21, 2010

100 Rings 100 Days Day 37

Raw Crystal Amethyst Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2, $170.00. Crystal is 17 1/2 mm by 16 1/2 mm.
The birthstone of February, amethyst has always been associated with intense emotion. The story is told that Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, was insulted one day by a mortal. Enraged, he called forth vicious tigers to exact revenge on the next mortal who would cross his path. This individual was, unfortunately, the maiden Amethyst. On her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, the innocent girl suddenly found herself face-to-face with the tigers of the vengeful God. To save her from the beasts, Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz. So beautiful wa the maiden that Dionysus, in sorrow and remorse, wept tears of rich wine over her statue. His tears stained the quartz, thus creating the poetic gem which still bears her name.

Available at our Etsy Store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59599815/100-rings-100-days-day-37-raw-crystal

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

100 Rings 100 Days Day 36

Blue Topaz Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2.  
Blue topaz is December's birthstone, and the name topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means fire.During the Middle Ages topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death.The Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight. The Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury.

Available at our Etsy Store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58559128/100-rings-100-days-day-36-blue-topaz

100 Rings 100 Days Day 35

Moss Feldspar Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2.  
Minerals in the feldspar group are found in many places throughout the world, in pegmatites, even meteorites, and pass through all rock and ore-forming processes: igneous, metamorphic, hydrothermal and sedimentary, yet only rarely do they occur as gemstones. Feldspars are the most diversified and the most extensively investigated minerals on earth, though they only recently commanded the attention they deserve. The feldspar family includes moonstone, labradorite and amazonite, and were worn by anyone taking a chance to ensure success.

Avaliable at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58558204/100-rings-100-days-day-35-moss-feldspar

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

100 Rings 100 Days Day 34

100 Rings 100 Days Day 34 Ruby Cabochon Hand Carved Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2.  
The "king of gems," ruby is one of the world's oldest and most revered gemstones. It is also one of the rarest. The mineral Chromium is responsible for the gems beautiful red color. The birthstone of July, its fiery crimson color caused many civilizations to associate it with passion, love and romance.

Available at our online Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58556877/100-rings-100-days-day-34-ruby-cabochon

100 Rings 100 Days Day 33

100 Rings 100 Days Day 33 Deep Pink Rhodolite Garnet Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2. Rhodolite is a 9mm 2.5ct stone.
No one, it's been said, can resist a woman wearing pink. This positive hue enhances not only the energy of its wearer, but also attracts the attention and energy of others.

Garnet is January's birthstone, and occurs in every color of the rainbow except for blue. Rhodolite is the beautiful pink variety of garnet. Garnet's powers include healing,strength, and protection, and in earlier times garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again.

Available at our online Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58555715/100-rings-100-days-day-33-deep-pink

100 Rings 100 Days Day 32

100 Rings 100 Days Blue Green Chrysocolla Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2. Band features polka dots.
The gemstone Chrysocolla is often confused with turquoise. It is a copper bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur especially in areas of the southwestern USA, Chili, Zaire, Australia, France and England. Chrysocolla is associated with tranquility and peace, intuition, patience, and unconditional love. It is thought to offer gentle and soothing qualities.

This ring available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58554335/100-rings-100-days-day-32-blue-green

Friday, October 8, 2010

100 Rings 100 Days Day 31

Sterling Silver Spiral Rattle Ring set with Pink Tourmaline
Hand carved details on bezel with a bead inside so ring makes sound. Size 7 1/2.No one, it's been said, can resist a woman wearing pink. This positive hue enhances not only the energy of its wearer, but also attracts the attention and energy of others.

Avaliable now at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58454077/100-rings-100-days-day-31-sterling

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

100 Rings 100 Days Day 30

Quartz Sterling Silver Ring

Day 30 Ring is not for sale.  Actually it is a present for someone's birthday.  So, Kelly and I were visiting a particular person, and like we always do we pick up rocks wherever we go.  This particular rock happened to be in this person's driveway.  Kelly says "Oh my gosh, look at this rock, isn't it beautiful?"  Reply "You go ahead and keep it if you like it so much" (said sarcastically).  So Kelly brought it home, cut it, and indeed it is a georgeous stone with beautiful banding.  So he set it in a ring, and she is getting it for her birthday with a little note that says "Remember this rock?"  So there.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

100 Rings 100 Days Day 29

100 Rings 100 Days Day 29 Mint Green Spotted Agate Sterling Silver Ring, size 7. The Agate is 17mm x 13mm.   
We continue on with our ring a day challenge. This shape is similar to the garnet ring of Day 28, I call it Byzentenian. Kelly has also carved the sides of this ring, more of a wheat sheaf design to this one.

This ring can be purchased at:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58162848/100-rings-100-days-day-29-mint-green

Friday, October 1, 2010

100 Rings 100 Days Day 28

Garnet with Floral Accents Sterling Silver Ring, size 7, $125.00
We are trying out a new ring shape here. Well, I shouldn't say it is "new" because it has been around since ancient Babylonian times. I like the curves of the lines, and Kelly wanted to add something special to the sides that frame the garnet, so he has hand engraved each with a floral pattern. Do you like the shape? Not only do the raised sides serve as a place for extra decoration, but they also protect the garnet from impact. Clever, no?

If you like the shape of this ring, you also might want to check out our Day 9 Ring, which is a Spiral Fossil Walrus Ivory Sterling Silver Ring, it has the cool shape and the Ivory Rotates!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/55436851/100-rings-100-days-day-9-rotating-spiral

Buy this ring on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57823588/100-rings-100-days-day-28-garnet-with

Etsy Boot Camp Pledge

I,Holly Kerkes of kerkesgoldworks, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!