A tiny Tanzanite project

[peridot83]

I purchased a .5ish carat round Tanzanite stone while in college. This was before I knew ANYTHING about gems whatsoever. Everytime I open my jewelery box, the stone stares back at me, and I''ve never done anything with it.

After hangiing around these forums, I am finally inspired to actually set it and wear it! I think a pendant is smartest since Tanzanite is softer. I am tempted to just bezel set it in white gold and be done with it. However, if anyone has any creative ideas about what to do with a small, round blue stone, I would appreciate it.

 

[Skippy123]

haloed?

 

[MaineGemCutter]

It''s great you are finally going to do something with the stone. I have so many stones waiting around to be set or sold it''s just insane. I collected for a while but they just sit there and collect dust basically. I look at them a lot and show them off when someone cares to see, but a lot of the stuff I bought was just one of those "too good to pass up" things.

Some thoughts; Tanzanite is 6.5-7 hardness, I don''t know why so many people think it is too soft for rings. I bought my mother a 3ct SRB Tanz 10 years ago, it is set in a standard 6 prong high setting and she isn''t really easy on her jewelry and has worn it every day, no problems yet. I have heard a lot of commercial type stores say Tanzanite is too soft to set in rings, but usually these people don''t have any for sale. If they did, it would be just fine for rings. I wore an apatite (moh''s rating 5) ring for a year with no problems before I sold it to a friend.

Also, just my opinion, a half carat is kind of small for a pendant, no? Personally I think it''s more than fine to set in a ring with a couple of melee''s on the sides. All bezel set would be nice. Good luck!

-MGC

 

[Linda W]

I think it would be beautiful as a pendant, especially with a halo around it. Yes, Tanzanite is soft for a ring. I only wear mine on special dates with my hubby. I wish I would have set my stone in a pendant.

Linda

 

[peridot83]

Hello All,

Thanks for your replies. I''m looking to spend less than $500 on setting it, and if its going to cost more I''ll just wait until later in life and leave the poor stone neglected.

So with the budget in mind....what do y''all normally do? Go to a local jeweler? Or try to find a place online.

I''m in the Los Angeles area so if anyone can recommend me a jeweler who can either do custom settings or has a good selection of settings to mount the pendant OR

Recommend a place I could go through online with that budget. I''d appreciate it!

 

[Skippy123]

I would ask in the hangout; more people from LA could probably let you know.

 

[innerkitten]

How about a bezel setting? What styles do you like and what type of metal?
I had a stone set in a handmade gold setting for $300 by this guy and he did a very nice job.
He usually uses 22k or 18k yellow gold but will also use 18k white gold and some sterling with gold too.

He can do custom if you ask him.

http://stores.ebay.com/22K-18K-Gold-Jewelry

 

[peridot83]

Thanks! Inner Kitten I''ll def. check that place out!

 

[JulieA]

I found your post and also looking for online or local LA place to set a tanzanite. What is best advice?? Someone told me I can''t just use same setters as diamonds because tanzanite is more delicate to set. I am going with a ring because will see it myself- once on pendant I will never see it unless look in mirror! I wear an opal and that is soft and it does just fine. I just don''t wear it cleaning the kitchen or at the gym, etc.

Any info appreciated about online vender or place in LA to set???

 

[marcy]

I have several tanzanite rings and have no problem with their durability. I think I would go for a ring for that carat weight. I''ll be anxious to see the finished product. I like tanzanite with diamonds.