Barry Bridgestock sapphire in a Vintage Orange Blossom ring

[MakingTheGrade]

I bought this sapphire from the late and dearly loved Barry Bridgestock back in 2017. It's 1.41 ct, unheated, from Tanzania and shows off his delightful faceting.
His vendor picture from back then, sigh, just looking at this gives me feels.


It lived in a rose gold and silver bezel ring for awhile, but the plan was always to reset her when a worthy setting came along. Recently I bought a vintage Traub Orange Blossom setting and I knew it was meant to be. Had to change out the head due to age and to fit the sapphire (it's deep). But I still think it's a great fit.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

 

[MakingTheGrade]

The details are still very lovely and crisp, shows with another vintage band from the 1940s. I should hopefully getting yet another band in the mail today that has engraving that matches this ring more so might post some pics of those together if it arrives as expected.

 

[musicloveranthony]

Beautiful stone - fits the setting in every way. Gorgeous

 

[springerspaniel]

This is so lovely @MakingTheGrade!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

So very lovely!!!! The ring is perfect for the stone!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Gorgeous! You made the right choice, especially as this stone holds such special memories.

When you said you had the change the head I almost had a heart attack because I thought you might lose that glorious flower on the base but they did a lovely job keeping it intact. Phew!!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Gorgeous! You made the right choice, especially as this stone holds such special memories.

When you said you had the change the head I almost had a heart attack because I thought you might lose that glorious flower on the base but they did a lovely job keeping it intact. Phew!!

Yeah it's not as smooth as before at some of the joins with the new head but all in all I think the jeweler did admirably! I'm sure it's not easy to rehab something 100 years old if you're not specialized in it.

And yes, a lot of great memories! Haha Barry rarely cut sapphires, usually his drops were garnets, tourms, amythests, etc. So when there was a sapphire dropped we'd all get super amped and wanted to know who scored it haha. I'm lucky I got this one.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I never did buy one of his stones and I wish I had. By the time began (slowly and modestly) collecting colored gems he had passed. Maybe I will find one on preloved some day.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I never did buy one of his stones and I wish I had. By the time began (slowly and modestly) collecting colored gems he had passed. Maybe I will find one on preloved some day.

Yeah I had sold off many just because I had way too many rings compared to fingers lol.
But I kept this one, a large supernova oval garnet, a moonstone, and a mint garnet. All of which are set, though I think the mint garnet needs a "forever" home at some point since it's current setting was also meant to be temporary

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yeah I had sold off many just because I had way too many rings compared to fingers lol.
But I kept this one, a large supernova oval garnet, a moonstone, and a mint garnet. All of which are set, though I think the mint garnet needs a "forever" home at some point since it's current setting was also meant to be temporary

I’d love to see a picture of this family!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Sure! My BB babies lol

 

[LightBright]

Superlative, you have such a nice collection. The most recent, romantic blue sapphire with a delicately detailed orange blossom ring work so well together!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

The stone and the setting are each beautiful and together they make a fabulous ring.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Gorgeous collection

 

[Autumn in New England]

Barry was a lovely man.

Nice to see his name mentioned now and again.

Your stone is beautimous and that ring is a stunner! Enjoy!!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I love the wedding of the new head with that fabulous OB shank. It looks amazing.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I love the wedding of the new head with that fabulous OB shank. It looks amazing.

not gonna lie, i was nervous! but it turned out great!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

not gonna lie, i was nervous! but it turned out great!

I love the detailing on the head too, it's a lovely little surprise.

 

[Slickk]

It’s so lovely!! What a great combination!! Enjoy it in much happiness!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

My other antique band came! Dated 1928

 

[Autumn in New England]

Sure! My BB babies lol

Where did you get your (beautiful) mint stone? I assume it's a garnet, though I suppose it could be a tourm or the like. I have a round mint garnet myself and I'm deciding how I want to set it. Lovely collection!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Where did you get your (beautiful) mint stone? I assume it's a garnet, though I suppose it could be a tourm or the like. I have a round mint garnet myself and I'm deciding how I want to set it. Lovely collection!

It’s a mint garnet indeed! From the late great Barry Bridgestock. I got the setting second hand as a temp setting but haven’t found its forever setting either.

 

[Autumn in New England]

It’s a mint garnet indeed! From the late great Barry Bridgestock. I got the setting second hand as a temp setting but haven’t found its forever setting either.

Looks made for it!

 

[Begonia]

Thud!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Superlative, you have such a nice collection. The most recent, romantic blue sapphire with a delicately detailed orange blossom ring work so well together!! Thanks for sharing.

Haha I actually can never decide if it’s blue or purple so I call it “blurple” which is decidedly not romantic

 

[Catmom]

Oh I just love everything about this! The stone...the setting...the stack...perfection!!

 

[LightBright]

MakingTheGrade, I see what you mean by “Blurple”. In one of your profile photos (maybe incandescent light?) there is a deep purple tone to it. Is this a “color change” sapphire? I love both colors.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

MakingTheGrade, I see what you mean by “Blurple”. In one of your profile photos (maybe incandescent light?) there is a deep purple tone to it. Is this a “color change” sapphire? I love both colors.

It’s more color shift than color change but yes!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Haha I actually can never decide if it’s blue or purple so I call it “blurple” which is decidedly not romantic

Sounds better than plue. Whatever you call it... blurple, lavender, periwinkle, iris, indigo, ultramarine... a blend of blue and purple is definitely in my top 3 favorite colors (along with any shade of orange and turquoise).