Colored halos?

[chroman]

After SparkliesLuver's wonderful recent paraiba project thread, I started thinking about colored halos. Sure, diamonds always work, but that's too easy

Has anyone played around with combinations of colored halos on CS?

In sketching some possibilities, it seems like the only things which have a hope of working have both contrasting colors and light/dark contrast between the center stone and halo.

 

[chrono]

The most common problems with coloured halos are:
1. Most are not durable
2. Most CS that small have poor colouration
3. Trying to find the the right matching sizes, colours and etc can be difficult, hence most jewellers have trouble with this.
4. The cut on these can be iffy.

 

[Arcadian]

After SparkliesLuver's wonderful recent paraiba project thread, I started thinking about colored halos. Sure, diamonds always work, but that's too easy

Has anyone played around with combinations of colored halos on CS?

In sketching some possibilities, it seems like the only things which have a hope of working have both contrasting colors and light/dark contrast between the center stone and halo.

You can halo with whatever is available of course. There are many colored stones that don't have the durability of diamonds, so may not be a good choice. That said, if you don't want to go with something as soft as tourmaline, you can also look at sapphire. Melee sizes are not totally consistent in colored stones as they are in diamonds, so you have to be sure that whoever you go through to get them vendor wise, knows you only want a certain size and can deliver on that. Color consistency can vary stone by stone.

I think I posted it before but there's a moonstone surrounded by color change garnets, which is pretty darn awesome but, could likely cost a lot given the type of stones they're using.

As long as you're not digging ditches while wearing it and you treat it more like a higher end cocktail ring, then I don't see any issues.


Matter of fact, getting ready to do something similar. I just got a blue zirc, I'm looking at either pink sapphires or, tsavorite garnets. I haven't totally decided . It will not be a traditional ring thats for sure!

 

[lilmosun]

I am "thinking" about making a moonstone ring with a blue CS halo...something that will bring out/complement the blue adulesnce without taking away from it. (or at least until Arcadian mentioned the idea of CCGs...would love to see that)

I love the style of this setting by Yvonne Raley and I think the miligrain edge would help protect the CS halo.



Speaking of color, I love the combinations that she puts together with a lot of her flower rings.

 

[chroman]

Thanks for all the great info!

Chrono -

It sounds like sourcing good melee would be an adventure. Does it make sense to source a few spares, in case of future repairs?

Arcadian -

Ha! Blue (leaning toward cyan) center and a pink halo was one of the combinations I sketched out that seemed promising. Pink+red center and lighter green halo was another. Sapphire may be a viable option, and from what folks are saying, might be a smarter choice than, say, demantoid.


Lilmoson -

I also like the look of some sort of edge around the melee - bezels at a minimum. Some of Yvonne's combinations look very nice.


Oh, and if we're putting small stones with (potentially) less-than-optimal color and cut into a setting with some protection (bezel, etc), are there things to look out for in setting to make sure the melee gets enough light?

 

[chrono]

A good jeweller should be able to find you replacement melees if needed. One such person I would go to for hard to find items is Wink Jones. I think a light pink halo should be able to bring out the blue in a moonstone the same way light pink diamonds bring out the best in a blue FCD. I am also partial to a light green halo for a hot pink/red centre stone. If bezeling the CS melees, I think going with lighter melees would look nicer than darker melees.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Great idea for a thread!

Thought I'd chime in with a layout (in wax, hence the visual quality of the stones) that Yvonne sent me when we were discussing the paraiba melee. It's something she's working on for her personal collection. paraiba cab + hayunite melee + paraiba melee. (I received her permission to post this.)

 

[mochiko42]

Great idea for a thread!

Thought I'd chime in with a layout (in wax, hence the visual quality of the stones) that Yvonne sent me when we were discussing the paraiba melee. It's something she's working on for her personal collection. paraiba cab + hayunite melee + paraiba melee. (I received her permission to post this.)

Yvonne Raley has just posted a new blog post on designing with melee, including colored stone melee.
http://cecileraleydesigns.blogspot.hk/2015/07/designing-halos-with-melee-gems.html


Here are two of my pieces (not sure if the emerald could be called melee or not..)

emerald pendant


tourmaline with pink sapphire halo

 

[Arcadian]

Thanks for all the great info!

Chrono -

It sounds like sourcing good melee would be an adventure. Does it make sense to source a few spares, in case of future repairs?

Arcadian -

Ha! Blue (leaning toward cyan) center and a pink halo was one of the combinations I sketched out that seemed promising. Pink+red center and lighter green halo was another. Sapphire may be a viable option, and from what folks are saying, might be a smarter choice than, say, demantoid.


Lilmoson -

I also like the look of some sort of edge around the melee - bezels at a minimum. Some of Yvonne's combinations look very nice.


Oh, and if we're putting small stones with (potentially) less-than-optimal color and cut into a setting with some protection (bezel, etc), are there things to look out for in setting to make sure the melee gets enough light?

Dematoids are WAY expensive...but so pretty. Man if I thought I could do it without hocking my car or something, I would have considered it


Sapphires come in pretty much every color, and have the hardness that won't be such an issue, so, that may be the way to go.

I did source my own from GemtownUSA who I've used before. My tsav melee wasn't exactly cheap either but lots cheaper than dematoids of the same size. Mine are medium-light range, which for melee, I'm cool with.

I haven't designed my ring, I'm still looking at some possibilities, and not much in a rush...lol. In my case it will be an occasional ring, (considering how much I don't wear my others, its a bit of a joke...lol) I'm considering a couple of things that are not usual, like blackened gold. I like the thought of it, I just don't know if it will execute well. I like the thought of the contrast of the stones and the black.

The other option is going with RG, mainly because again, the contrast. Doesn't mean it will get worn more or anything, but again, its that option.

Oh and that moonstone with the CC garnets, here you go.



I do believe those are diamonds between the moonstone and garnets.

a nicer image


Who's going to make the piece for you or have you gotten that far? It may not be a bad Idea to converse and gauge their comfort level.

 

[chroman]

Wow, so much great stuff.

Chrono - I guess I can relax a bit about repair contingancies too early

Mochiko42 - That blog entry is really interesting. I'm going to have to print out those pages and play around some more. And That pendent is beautiful!

Arcadian - A tsav halo was another permutation that looked good, but the paler green seemed to speak a bit louder. Pale green and pinky-red reminds me of interesting color combinations in Indian clothing I've seen. Who knows, tomarrow it could be a tsav day again.

Needless to say, I'm just doodling ideas for the future at this point. Haven't gone so far as to photoshop up something, let along think about who would be making it!

Oh, and I think the CCG works well with the moonstone, especially in the second photo.