Eight Cecile Raley Designs projects, to be revealed over eight days

[leslie1956]

They look great together, voce

 

[scouty]

@voce Would love to see a family pic of your entire Yvonne collection when you have a chance!

 

[voce]

@voce Would love to see a family pic of your entire Yvonne collection when you have a chance!

I have this on my to-do list, but first I have to message Yvonne and charge my digital camera. My life is really busy and hectic right now.

 

[Shijitake]

Beautiful collectio n, voce! I especially love the pendants!

 

[voce]

Ok, this has been a long time coming. I've been so busy these past weeks. Busy will probably become the new normal, until holiday season, but that's another story. Here are the pictures that I promised.

I think I have too many of Yvonne's rings to show shots one by one. Unfortunately, my family pictures are a far cry from (not as artsy as) @elle_71125 or @MissyBeaucoup's pictures.


Note how the demantoids glow! The above pictures were taken in the morning light outdoors, and what's below was taken indoors, natural lighting, also in the morning.

Not the best handshot (the many rings made my fingers bulge), but here you go.

Don't you like my sphene sunflower ring and my indicolite rosette ring?
Same style but different colors.

My favorite ones.

You can tell, from the purple velvet, that that's one of my favorite colors, can't you? Apologies for taking some pictures through jewelry box glass. This was necessary to capture the right colors, as with the lid open, the camera was thinking I was taking pictures of flowers, messing with the focus and aperture. My rings must have been too colorful!

 

[leslie1956]

Awesome pictures, voce! The natural light really brings out the gorgeous colors of yours rings. The color play between the different blues in your Rosette ring really shows!

 

[T L]

I love her floral, detailed and whimsical designs. Beautiful collection!! So colorful!

 

[elle_71125]

Ok, this has been a long time coming. I've been so busy these past weeks. Busy will probably become the new normal, until holiday season, but that's another story. Here are the pictures that I promised.

I think I have too many of Yvonne's rings to show shots one by one. Unfortunately, my family pictures are a far cry from (not as artsy as) @elle_71125 or @MissyBeaucoup's pictures.


Note how the demantoids glow! The above pictures were taken in the morning light outdoors, and what's below was taken indoors, natural lighting, also in the morning.

Not the best handshot (the many rings made my fingers bulge), but here you go.

Don't you like my sphene sunflower ring and my indicolite rosette ring?
Same style but different colors.

My favorite ones.

You can tell, from the purple velvet, that that's one of my favorite colors, can't you? Apologies for taking some pictures through jewelry box glass. This was necessary to capture the right colors, as with the lid open, the camera was thinking I was taking pictures of flowers, messing with the focus and aperture. My rings must have been too colorful!

That Easter paraiba ring still gets me. You have such a gorgeous, colorful collection and I love it!

Ps. I think we have the same purple jewelry box. This is mine...
https://www.amazon.com/MyJell-Jewel...y+storage+box&qid=1555408931&s=gateway&sr=8-7

 

[Bluegemz]

You really have such a full collection! I think my favorite is the Sphene sunflower ring.

Question, do you wear multiple rings on your hands during the day? The similar styles really make it seem that one can create a new ring composition each day in which the pieces don’t overwhelm each other. I really appreciate this aspect of her work because this is something which feels very expressive of daily moods and downright fun!

I try to do this with my rings but many don’t look great with others due to huge variations in sizes and styles, even though the colors work together, and color relationships are so inspiring in general. I have never been able to pair down to one style because I love many, but her work makes it possible due to a cohesive size range, proportions and metal work.

 

[Shijitake]

Beautiful collection! My fave color is purple too

 

[icy_jade]

I love this. So cheerful and really happy colors. Thank you for sharing.

 

[voce]

That Easter paraiba ring still gets me. You have such a gorgeous, colorful collection and I love it!

Ps. I think we have the same purple jewelry box. This is mine...
https://www.amazon.com/MyJell-Jewel...y+storage+box&qid=1555408931&s=gateway&sr=8-7

Why, Elle, we do have the same jewelry box! I think your collection is one of the most gorgeous I've seen on PS, so it's a huge compliment you love my collection. My paraiba ring is definitely one of my favorites. The only one I set in platinum because of how much I love the look, and I heard platinum is easiest for setting paraibas. I didn't want anything to go wrong during the process!

You really have such a full collection! I think my favorite is the Sphene sunflower ring.

Question, do you wear multiple rings on your hands during the day? The similar styles really make it seem that one can create a new ring composition each day in which the pieces don’t overwhelm each other. I really appreciate this aspect of her work because this is something which feels very expressive of daily moods and downright fun!

I try to do this with my rings but many don’t look great with others due to huge variations in sizes and styles, even though the colors work together, and color relationships are so inspiring in general. I have never been able to pair down to one style because I love many, but her work makes it possible due to a cohesive size range, proportions and metal work.

Thanks Bluegemz, the sphene sunflower ring is one of my favorites as well. Unfortunately, it doesn't receive as much wear because it is the only ring I have in yellow gold, and I tend to wear it by itself on one hand. I'm very protective of this ring because I know sphene is soft.

I do try sometimes to wear multiple rings on one hand, but I'll do so either with ring and index fingers, or I will wear rings on consecutive digits if the bands won't knock against one another. The two flower rings, which are open, are what I do this with. I can adjust them so that the side that is next to another ring, the flower on that side is above the level of the other ring, so there is no contact between the rings.

Beautiful collection! My fave color is purple too

Oh, I couldn't have guessed it. My first favorite color is red, but then purple became a favorite too during the seventh grade. I have to say, a true stoplight red will still catch my eye way more than the most vivid purple when it comes to gemstones.

When it comes to clothing, they just don't make much red work-appropriate clothes, so I tend to wear more purple and blue, the blue more consciously because psychologically speaking people get the feeling they can trust you if you wear blue.

I love this. So cheerful and really happy colors. Thank you for sharing.

You're welcome! I love it when you share your pieces, too. Was it you who showed us a lot of pictures from the Singapore gem fair last year?

 

[Shijitake]

Oh, I couldn't have guessed it. My first favorite color is red, but then purple became a favorite too during the seventh grade. I have to say, a true stoplight red will still catch my eye way more than the most vivid purple when it comes to gemstones.

When it comes to clothing, they just don't make much red work-appropriate clothes, so I tend to wear more purple and blue, the blue more consciously because psychologically speaking people get the feeling they can trust you if you wear blue.

Yep it is! My first favorite was yellow, then around 6 I found something purple and thought it was the most beautiful color in the world and loved it since then. Then in college I went through short phases of liking red/dark red, white, then black. Now purple is my favorite but I tend to like lighter shades more. Dark red is my second favorite (except when it comes to stones, bright red).

But I'm the same way. I'm into the big three, but emeralds and rubies catch my eye more often than blue sapphires do. Strangely enough, I'm not really into orange and pink, but I'm really liking orangey pink stones. And I'm also not into vivid purples but I love lavender, lilac and mauve and any other light purple stones. I actually bought a grape purple sapphire and I'm not sure if I want to keep it. Not sure if I'm just not liking the grape purple so much or it's just not as eye catching when it's with my other stones.

Is that true? I should wear more blue then. I love all kinds of purple things but I don't really wear it (I have maybe 3 or 4 purple tops). I wear a lot of grey. And I love purple flowers! I used to own the purple passion and stainless steel (looks pink but is mauve) roses.

 

[voce]

@Shijitake are you still in school? It boggles my mind that you bought a pad and an untreated ruby while you're in college.

I remember PMing Yvonne on Etsy three times when I was in school, and three times the price quotes were higher than what I felt comfortable with. I started getting these pieces last year after I graduated, and I have no idea how I would've afforded all that I've gotten if I weren't working full-time.

Since your first threads were about blue and pad sapphires, I assumed those were your favorite colors. Actually lavender sapphires may be more affordable than blue or pad, and all those tones of light purple would go lovely with gray if you wear gray.

Since I've started working I also wear lots of black, and I don't go out of my way to buy clothes in certain colors, but if I'm at Costco and decide to buy something and a jewel tone colored version is available, my preference is the jewel tone color and not the whites or pastels.

 

[Shijitake]

@Shijitake are you still in school? It boggles my mind that you bought a pad and an untreated ruby while you're in college.

I remember PMing Yvonne on Etsy three times when I was in school, and three times the price quotes were higher than what I felt comfortable with. I started getting these pieces last year after I graduated, and I have no idea how I would've afforded all that I've gotten if I weren't working full-time.

Since your first threads were about blue and pad sapphires, I assumed those were your favorite colors. Actually lavender sapphires may be more affordable than blue or pad, and all those tones of light purple would go lovely with gray if you wear gray.

Since I've started working I also wear lots of black, and I don't go out of my way to buy clothes in certain colors, but if I'm at Costco and decide to buy something and a jewel tone colored version is available, my preference is the jewel tone color and not the whites or pastels.

I'm back in school . I graduated a while ago, took some time off, then went back to work and back to college as well for a certificate. I worked the entire time I was an undergrad, and took another 2 years before graduating. I saved a lot of money and lived on that for a while. Then I started working again and went through obsessive phases with other things. So I'm working to pay off my tuition and buy some gems. If I didn't take classes you bet I'd have two jobs, one just to pay off gems! I work full time when I don't have classes and when I do I work around my schedule. I should be studying and doing school work right now! I can't wait for it to be over. I'm surprised you only just graduated last year. I had the impression that you were older (I thought everyone is at least in their 30's or so here, spending their several years of work money).

The blue and pad phase was in total panic, bc, well that's what I do. I still love blues and pads, just other colors catch my eyes easily esp if they are medium or light saturation and GLOW GLOW GLOW!! I stopped looking at blues bc I'm saving up for my perfect "The One" blue.

I wear any color as long as it's muted and comfortable. I can't stand pastels or bright colors (most of the time). In fact I mostly wear a lot of dark blue, black, grey, and army green. I'm a jeans and t-shirt girl so I mostly have shirts, and lately, Style and co has been making lots of shirts and I've been buying a lot of it, even muted pinks and oranges (I've never done this!). I think people were surprised to see me in those colors.

 

[voce]

I'm back in school . I graduated a while ago, took some time off, then went back to work and back to college as well for a certificate. I worked the entire time I was an undergrad, and took another 2 years before graduating. I saved a lot of money and lived on that for a while. Then I started working again and went through obsessive phases with other things. So I'm working to pay off my tuition and buy some gems. If I didn't take classes you bet I'd have two jobs, one just to pay off gems! I work full time when I don't have classes and when I do I work around my schedule. I should be studying and doing school work right now! I can't wait for it to be over. I'm surprised you only just graduated last year. I had the impression that you were older (I thought everyone is at least in their 30's or so here, spending their several years of work money).

The blue and pad phase was in total panic, bc, well that's what I do. I still love blues and pads, just other colors catch my eyes easily esp if they are medium or light saturation and GLOW GLOW GLOW!! I stopped looking at blues bc I'm saving up for my perfect "The One" blue.

I wear any color as long as it's muted and comfortable. I can't stand pastels or bright colors (most of the time). In fact I mostly wear a lot of dark blue, black, grey, and army green. I'm a jeans and t-shirt girl so I mostly have shirts, and lately, Style and co has been making lots of shirts and I've been buying a lot of it, even muted pinks and oranges (I've never done this!). I think people were surprised to see me in those colors.

Yeah, I graduated last year because I was a dropout, though in my defense, it was a top university where pressure was high, and I wasn't prepared to handle the pressure in a mature manner. I attended 3 years, went away for 9 years exploring other career options, then when I realized I wasn't suited to being entrepreneur, I went back, changed my major, and took another 2.5 years to finally graduate.

I've been working for less than a year, and my jewelry hobby is what all my disposable income is going towards. But I have df, enough purses to fill up an entire closet, and enough clothes from previous years (not a trend chaser) once I lose my back-to-college 15. I have the discipline to max out my retirement contributions, but I know personally that I can't keep money in a savings account because that's way too accessible for purchases of jewelry.

 

[Shijitake]

Yeah, I graduated last year because I was a dropout, though in my defense, it was a top university where pressure was high, and I wasn't prepared to handle the pressure in a mature manner. I attended 3 years, went away for 9 years exploring other career options, then when I realized I wasn't suited to being entrepreneur, I went back, changed my major, and took another 2.5 years to finally graduate.

I've been working for less than a year, and my jewelry hobby is what all my disposable income is going towards. But I have df, enough purses to fill up an entire closet, and enough clothes from previous years (not a trend chaser) once I lose my back-to-college 15. I have the discipline to max out my retirement contributions, but I know personally that I can't keep money in a savings account because that's way too accessible for purchases of jewelry.

No need for defense! Totally makes sense. When I started college I didn't handle it well and almost failed everything and had to take summer courses to stay in. The rest of my years weren't handled any better. I didn't realize that working at the same time was really killing me. I tried to keep up with all the school work but I would be tired all the time. Even with less work hours I still couldn't keep up well. I changed my major and minors several times, and that's why I ended up there for 6 years. I was sleep deprived, dehydrated, only ate one meal a day (I was a commuter the whole time), anemic and took summer classes every year. At one point I woke up for work but couldn't get up for 2 hours when the boss finally called. Not even sure how i made it through. When it ended, I was burned out. I quit my job for another job in NY but hated it. So for a year I was jobless, but I liked it. I rested, went back to work and back to school. Doing better in school now for the most part. Good for you though! I'm glad you made it through and doing well. I'm hoping this is my last semester and I would be doing well too.

I'm not a trend chaser either and wore all my clothes from long ago, all the way from high school. But when those clothes started breaking down and I wore the same 8 shirts again and again (they also made me look like I was a high schooler), it was agonizing and I had no choice but to buy more, so I went on a shopping spree. I've got a 5' drawer full of makeup, that was my vice for a while. I hear ya about that savings account. I'm trying not to get myself into debt with all these gems but it's so difficult!

 

[voce]

No need for defense! Totally makes sense. When I started college I didn't handle it well and almost failed everything and had to take summer courses to stay in. The rest of my years weren't handled any better. I didn't realize that working at the same time was really killing me. I tried to keep up with all the school work but I would be tired all the time. Even with less work hours I still couldn't keep up well. I changed my major and minors several times, and that's why I ended up there for 6 years. I was sleep deprived, dehydrated, only ate one meal a day (I was a commuter the whole time), anemic and took summer classes every year. At one point I woke up for work but couldn't get up for 2 hours when the boss finally called. Not even sure how i made it through. When it ended, I was burned out. I quit my job for another job in NY but hated it. So for a year I was jobless, but I liked it. I rested, went back to work and back to school. Doing better in school now for the most part. Good for you though! I'm glad you made it through and doing well. I'm hoping this is my last semester and I would be doing well too.

I'm not a trend chaser either and wore all my clothes from long ago, all the way from high school. But when those clothes started breaking down and I wore the same 8 shirts again and again (they also made me look like I was a high schooler), it was agonizing and I had no choice but to buy more, so I went on a shopping spree. I've got a 5' drawer full of makeup, that was my vice for a while. I hear ya about that savings account. I'm trying not to get myself into debt with all these gems but it's so difficult!

A 5 foot drawer full of makeup? That's terrible. I think everyone needs to regularly check in with themselves and be honest about decisions like finances. I can afford what I buy because I am taking advantage of credit card introductory offers and payment plans, and because I already paid off all my student loans. I don't recommend at all that you get into debt with gems. Try to get into some other hobby like crochet or TV shows that are way cheaper! Then come back to gems when your financial situation is better. Because that is what I did, personally, so it works, somewhat.

 

[Shijitake]

I stopped buying makeup once it got pretty full and everything coming out now is too much glitter and unicorn/mermaid colors. I'm planning to sell the ones I haven't used. I haven't even put on so much as lipstick in almost a year since I just never have time or energy (and I can't just do one part of makeup on its own). Besides, gems are better XD. I have a little bit of debt, but it's mostly to my aunt for paying off my last bit of student loans (I could have paid it off easily, not sure why I agreed to owe her). My perfect sapphire was being sold by Jeff White at one point, but it was waaay too high, and he suggested paypal bill me later, but I just really didn't want to have to bear the interest if I couldn't pay it in 6 months. Now my perfect sapphire is gone (which reminds me...)

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Hi, @voce !

I love your family pictures! Thank you for the sweet compliment!

You have an amazing collection, and I am so impressed with your choice of saturated colors and delightful combinations! It’s impossible to pick a favorite, and I hope you feel that way too and wear all of them with joy. I really love your glowing sphene sunflower and the two-flower rings!

Please, do take some pictures of your ring combinations and let us see how you do it. You have a very well coordinated collection, and I think a lot of us could learn from that. I often wear just one ring with my wedding bands and that’s it.

 

[voce]

Hi, @voce !

I love your family pictures! Thank you for the sweet compliment!

You have an amazing collection, and I am so impressed with your choice of saturated colors and delightful combinations! It’s impossible to pick a favorite, and I hope you feel that way too and wear all of them with joy. I really love your glowing sphene sunflower and the two-flower rings!

Please, do take some pictures of your ring combinations and let us see how you do it. You have a very well coordinated collection, and I think a lot of us could learn from that. I often wear just one ring with my wedding bands and that’s it.

Thanks MissyBeaucoup, that's such a compliment. When I purchase gemstones from Yvonne I always have a vague idea how I'm going to set them, and I then work on figuring out exactly how I would set them, and at the time I commission rings I always think about which ones I would wear together and on which fingers. I have to, because each of my fingers is a different size, unlike some folks.

I had a really crappy camera on my old phone, but now that I have a new one, I'll be taking more pictures to show people how I wear them.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Thank you, @voce ! That is great planning!

 

[Rubybrick]

@voce wow beautiful collection! I banned myself from ps for a while what a fun tread to get back to. I especially love your “blue water” ring. I would wear it all the time! The color play for the Easter basket is masterful!

 

[voce]

Thanks @Rubybrick! I'm glad my collection brings others joy, too. I should probably ban myself from PS, too. Been spending more than I should.

 

[elle_71125]

Thanks @Rubybrick! I'm glad my collection brings others joy, too. I should probably ban myself from PS, too. Been spending more than I should.

Good luck! It gets in the blood.
I’m sad to admit that I haven’t stuck with one self imposed PS ban. Apparently I lack true conviction.

 

[leslie1956]

One advantage of retirement is that I can spend all the time on want on PS That said, I have to exercise massive self-control and be very judicious in my bling choices. Voce, your jewelry collection is amazing and your use of color inspires to be more inventive with my own choices.

 

[lilmosun]

Thanks @Rubybrick! I'm glad my collection brings others joy, too. I should probably ban myself from PS, too. Been spending more than I should.

You have such a beautiful collection of style and color...but good luck stopping. I personally blame my inability to go on hiatus due to Yvonne's ability to keep coming up with different stones, styles and color combinations

 

[voce]

One advantage of retirement is that I can spend all the time on want on PS That said, I have to exercise massive self-control and be very judicious in my bling choices. Voce, your jewelry collection is amazing and your use of color inspires to be more inventive with my own choices.

That's a huge compliment, Leslie. Thank you! I really enjoy getting to own some of the pieces you created, too!

You have such a beautiful collection of style and color...but good luck stopping. I personally blame my inability to go on hiatus due to Yvonne's ability to keep coming up with different stones, styles and color combinations

don't tell me that! Doesn't inspire confidence in myself. I was just discussing projects with Yvonne yesterday, and there will be five projects underway. Three of them require CADs. By the way they get done, she'll probably have other gems I'll be drooling over, like maybe Columbian emeralds. It's a never-ending cycle!

 

[leslie1956]

Voce, you're welcome I'm glad that some of my pieces have gone to such an appreciative home! I'm looking forward to seeing your new projects with Yvonne. I've gotten so comfortable with her over the last 8 years it's hard for me to venture elsewhere, lol I'm trying to gather my resources for a small Columbian emerald or two this summer.

For those who don't read her blog, Yvonne is making a trip to Columbia this summer. This will be a good opportunity for anyone interested in scoring a Columbian emerald straight from the source!

 

[voce]

Here is an example of how I'm wearing multiple rings from CRD. Unfortunately, my new phone photographs my red stones as pinkish . I would still need my digital camera to be able to capture the true colour.