2012 - the year to start setting

[NKOTB]

2011 was a busy year for this crazy world of CS collecting. It all started with a simple goal of replacing a stone in a setting I had, then the slippery slope began...I do have a few "irons in the fire" still in terms of adding to my collection, but also have some setting plans in mind. I started with baby steps. I bought some diamond studs off DB to use as side stones for a small round Mahenge spinel in a 3-stone ring, then use the settings for some "small but mighty" tsavorites from Lisa Elser's red and green sale over the holidays. So, I can finally say I set something! Ear shot to follow when I get the chance...

 

[athenaworth]

Talk about vibrant!

 

[JewelFreak]

Yow, Saturation City! Looking forward to ear shots!

 

[chrono]

Very bright! Those tsavorites are going to be popping out at the ears.

 

[lelser]

Love it when my babies find a good home!

Lisa
www.lisaelser.com

 

[Deia]

gorgeous bright green, really love it

 

[NKOTB]

Well, never got any ear shots I liked on the earrings, but did pick up a couple of items at the jeweller's yesterday.

First up...I had this old setting from an aqua ring my parents gave me for my 13th birthday. I had the aqua replaced with a "better" aqua by my local guy (that I no longer go to) a few years ago, so it looked like the first picture. I never wore it, as I didn't really like it. I looked around for a different stone, and ended up buying this rhodolite from Dan Stair. Et voila. Better, I think.

 

[NKOTB]

And I had another setting with a stone-that-cannot-be-discussed. I replaced it with a tsavorite from Tan. Great for St. Patty's Day, and will match my earrings above.

 

[chrono]

Wow, a bright green that definitely makes a set with those new earrings.

 

[minousbijoux]

You know Kid, I see a strong brown modifier in your tsavorites. I would hate for you to be embarrassed by thinking they looked stunningly lovely, so you could give them to me and I could save you embarrassment. I know, I know, its selfless of me, but that's just the way I am

 

[minousbijoux]

Oh, and PLEASE keep buying; I love living vicariously through your purchases as you pick such pretty ones...

 

[JewelFreak]

I'm so in love with your tsav ring, I'm gonna break into your house & steal it! It wants to come home with me, just ask it.

Amazing what a good stone will do for a setting -- 1st pic of your aqua ring, I thought "meh" about the setting -- till the 2nd one with the rhodolite, then I thought "WOW!" Makes an adorable ring & the rhodo looks terrific.

--- Laurie

 

[minousbijoux]

If you take the ring, Laurie, then i want the earrings and Kid's hands

 

[colorluvr]

That rhodolite looks like it was made for that setting... very pretty. The tsavorite in the ring looks like it just glows, and I love the idea of the matching set of ring and earrings. Congratulations!

 

[familynurse]

You have some beautiful jewelry!!! Not only do the gems look lovely, but the settings suit the gems perfectly.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Beautiful rings and earrings but can I mention that I am so jealous of your long, lovely fingers?

 

[NKOTB]

Thank you, Chrono!

Minous, have you tried adjusting the settings on your monitor? (thank you!)

Thanks also to JewelFreak, Colorluvr, familynurse (speaking of settings, how's that Mahenge doing? ), and LisaRN!

It's nice to finally be able to start showing off some of my stones. I've used up the settings I currently have, though there is one coming via DB that I hope to put a Barry blue tourmaline into. Then it will be on to a custom job, probably.

 

[Arkteia]

Beautiful jewelry! I especially like the tsavorite. Congratulations on all of them. Seems that the year has started in a productive manner...

 

[Enerchi]

NKOTB - I'm drawn to your gorgeous 3 stone Tsav ring!!! beautiful! (nice hands, too , btw!)

And just how is that little garnet I was lusting after??? does it have a new home yet??? (march 29 - just remember that as a back up plan!)

 

[movie zombie]

i so agree that the the rhodie is much better in that setting! the aqua just ended up looking washed out....but the whole ring POPS with the new stone!

was this a new years' resolution to start setting? if so, i admire your carry through!

i just picked up a set of bennies from thegemtrader and all 5 are only .10 TCW...but they sparkle like crazy. not sure if i could ever set them.....but i love have the california gem stone.

 

[NKOTB]

Arkteia - thank you. Yes, I have been on a roll.

Enerchi - Thank you. The garnet does have a new owner (another PSer), pending payment. Sorry.

Movie zombie - the paleness of the aqua didn't help, nor did the window. It was a bit of a NY's resolution. I was collecting stones faster than I could ever set them, so now I'm trying to pare back, sell off some of the "duplicates" or "not quite was I was looking for"s, and figure out the cheapest way to start showing some of them off. Congrats on the bennies! I have yet to see any of those in person.