Fess Up

[collier]

I only have one and technically I sent it to dan stair to recut so I’m golden

Is it that purple sapphire?

 

[lilmosun]

I'm not willing to count but most of what I have left are 1) either stones that will never get set (a lot are inexpensive "learner" stones purchased early on) -or- 2) extra melee I have sitting around. Other than that, I have 3 stones that Yvonne is designing a ring for.

I am not patient with designing settings. So it's not unusual for me to set stones in whatever setting I can find for it rather than have them sit in boxes.

 

[Niel]

Is it that purple sapphire?

It IS that purple sapphire lol

 

[arkieb1]

I don't know, I'd guess well over 1000+ (no that isn't a typo) probably a couple of thousand. I collect things like spinel. I have several hundred cut spinel, several hundred uncut spinel.... without even counting everything else.

I just tipped out and counted 2 bags of loose Amethyst that were out and laying around, there are around 100 to 150 in this lot and I have other bags of Amethyst somewhere and the good stuff is in gem jars which I haven't photographed so there is at least a couple of hundred Amethyst;


I have a lot of small bags of lots of other types of gemstones, and lots of things in jars....

 

[elle_71125]

This is like 90% of my loose, unset gems.

First of all, I love your penchant for color. A girl after my own heart. Secondly, that pendant is divine! I don’t remember seeing that design before.

 

[CSpan]

@Bron357 it isn't a problem if it is categorized, it's an archive and I love it, oh to be able to play with all those little jars.

@arkieb1 thud

@voce you have the best taste and eye for combos. I see melee and am like "oooo pretty ok what I do with that?"

I said 1 to 3, since stones with setters don't count right? If so I have 3 emeralds and 2 diamonds with Sako and a few peach spinels with Yvonne and what 12 Pahshir emeralds as well.

At home I only have a tiny benitoite and some "play stones" I got for size reference that I don't imagine I'll set.

 

[elle_71125]

These aren't regular gem jars. The lids have a sticky gel on them, that over time will be less sticky (but they work so well for laying out gems and seeing gem combinations)! You can buy them off of Stuller.

White Gel-Coated Stone Case without Grid

62-4001 / White / Plastic / NONE / 2 x 2 x 1/4 In / Gel Coated Stone Case Without A Grid (Pack of 25)

www.stuller.com

I finally got around to ordering those gem jars. Thanks again for the link.

 

[Arcadian]

I've got 3 boxes and a lit of bags. I'm living in a fantasty world and just not counting....lol

 

[arkieb1]

What is lurking in your drawer? Extra points if you include pictures!

I thought you were doing PSers a big disservice by suggesting that 10+ was a large amount....

 

[GliderPoss]

I’ve got 6 unset, 5 of which are sitting in Daniel M’s safe ready for future projects. Unfortunately all on hold due to budget concerns. Problem is I change my mind a lot soooooo always bit scared to commit to designs.

 

[2Neesers]

You all have amazing collections of unset stones!
I thought the same thing as @arkieb1 . Is 10 unset stones a lot? Not in my opinion!
I have quite a few unset stones and I’m not counting them!
I plan to set all of the stones in this box..someday.

 

[bling_dream19]

Wow soo many beautiful stones folks! Currently I have a diamond pear that will be going into a double halo pendant. I'm working on the design currently. Soon I'm going to need yalls help

 

[lovedogs]

Tried to take pics of all my loose stones (not including the ones I'm definitely going to sell or melee, which is another 10ish).

Oops.

Pic 1: brown/pink/orange family.
The top 3 in gem boxes are my favorites, the bottom ones are much nicer than the pic shows but not *quite* right.



Pic 2: moonstones, impossible to get good pics when in bags. One is faceted, the other is a cab.
:

Pic 3: Synthetic blue/green family plus some amazing opal doublets.



Pic 4: faceted moonstone again. moissy moval, paraiba, spess, spinel.

 

[arkieb1]

Bag of cheaper loose sapphires;



Old photo of some of the more expensive sapphires I own or have owned;

 

[arkieb1]

Red spinels;



Some lighter to mid pinks;



Old photo of some of the cut ones (all spinel);

 

[collier]

I thought you were doing PSers a big disservice by suggesting that 10+ was a large amount....

**Hangs head in shame**

I have no imagination

Clearly we need broader categories, but I have loved seeing everyones collections. Simply inspiring!

 

[Rfisher]

You all have amazing collections of unset stones!
I thought the same thing as @arkieb1 . Is 10 unset stones a lot? Not in my opinion!
I have quite a few unset stones and I’m not counting them!
I plan to set all of the stones in this box..someday.

I love each and every one - what a fantastic, varied beautiful bunch!

and I am, as always, silenced in awe and admiration of @arkieb1’s collection. Or lust - I dunno which lol!

 

[collier]

You all have amazing collections of unset stones!
I thought the same thing as @arkieb1 . Is 10 unset stones a lot? Not in my opinion!
I have quite a few unset stones and I’m not counting them!
I plan to set all of the stones in this box..someday.

That is a stunning collection! What is the stone in the bottom right, second in, on the last line?

I realized after typing that out I could have said, the mint green asscher cut?

 

[voce]

Red spinels;



Some lighter to mid pinks;



Old photo of some of the cut ones (all spinel);

How could that large oval red spinel still be loose? I would set it in a hearbeat if our positions were changed.

 

[arkieb1]

How could that large oval red spinel still be loose? I would set it in a hearbeat if our positions were changed.

I have a LOT of really outstanding stones unset (not just spinels a wide range of things), but yes, that red Mahenge oval and for that matter the small red cushion which is "old" you can't get any more neon red Burma Jedi should probably be set, and the angel cuts which are some of my favourites. I have so many stones, I should stop buying them and start setting them..... but then I see another stone I have to have, and so it goes on.

I'm more of rock and gemstone collector (always have been) than a jewellery wearer -although I do love jewellery as well, but I've never been that bothered/worried if stones are set or unset.

I have a very cool decent sized neon pink Mahenge heart that I was planning to set before the red oval.... I haven't taken any photos of it but it's a cracker of a stone as far as hot pink Mahenge goes....

 

[Bluegemz]

I have very few...generally, if I buy a loose stone, I have it set before I buy more. I feel a compulsion to honor the stones by wearing them, almost like a responsibility to do so. I know it’s strange, but I can’t help it! Somehow though, these have not yet made it. Mainly because I don’t have a clear idea yet. I’m not much of a gem collector in that I tend to go with a more narrow range of gemstones. I’ve only recently been getting pinks and reds as an example.

A large turquoise, a parcel of small pastel star sapphires, and 2 sapphires. The larger has a window, but I love the coloration and the window goes with it as an ink in water look. Always wanted to do something unusual with this one.
I also have a golden-greenish zircon which I don’t think I’ll set, a heliodor, and another blue sapphire and 2 more rhodochrosite cubes.
Loving everyone’s collections! Always such a delight to see, and inspiring!

 

[wordie89]

Wow! Wow! What a nice break from Quarantine! thanks!

 

[2Neesers]

That is a stunning collection! What is the stone in the bottom right, second in, on the last line?

I realized after typing that out I could have said, the mint green asscher cut?

Thank you! Between the lighting being poor when I took the picture and keeping the lids on the gems jars, the true colors of the stones aren't showing very well. The asscher is a light blue zircon from Jeff White. I thought about selling that one someday, since I've discovered I'm more of a brilliant cut person, but it's so pretty!
I'm going to try to take better pictures of my loose stones and will come back to post photos if I succeed .
Here are Jeff's pictures of the asscher zircon that I had saved from back when I purchased it.

 

[2Neesers]

Red spinels;



Some lighter to mid pinks;



Old photo of some of the cut ones (all spinel);

Bag of cheaper loose sapphires;



Old photo of some of the more expensive sapphires I own or have owned;

These are amazing!!!
I still need to set the beautiful blue sapphire I bought from you a while back. I have been putting it off because I am nervous I won't get the setting just right. I need to start a thread for help with design inspiration!

 

[minousbijoux]

I have very few...generally, if I buy a loose stone, I have it set before I buy more. I feel a compulsion to honor the stones by wearing them, almost like a responsibility to do so. I know it’s strange, but I can’t help it! Somehow though, these have not yet made it. Mainly because I don’t have a clear idea yet. I’m not much of a gem collector in that I tend to go with a more narrow range of gemstones. I’ve only recently been getting pinks and reds as an example.

A large turquoise, a parcel of small pastel star sapphires, and 2 sapphires. The larger has a window, but I love the coloration and the window goes with it as an ink in water look. Always wanted to do something unusual with this one.
I also have a golden-greenish zircon which I don’t think I’ll set, a heliodor, and another blue sapphire and 2 more rhodochrosite cubes.
Loving everyone’s collections! Always such a delight to see, and inspiring!

I absolutely cannot wait to see what you do @Bluegemz - your philosophy of honoring the individual stone as well as your eye for fine craftsmanship means whatever it is, it will be a treat!

 

[Bluegemz]

I absolutely cannot wait to see what you do @Bluegemz - your philosophy of honoring the individual stone as well as your eye for fine craftsmanship means whatever it is, it will be a treat!

Thank you, Minou! One project with my long awaited spess is almost finished...I’m super excited and hope the design does it justice.

 

[collier]

Thank you! Between the lighting being poor when I took the picture and keeping the lids on the gems jars, the true colors of the stones aren't showing very well. The asscher is a light blue zircon from Jeff White. I thought about selling that one someday, since I've discovered I'm more of a brilliant cut person, but it's so pretty!
I'm going to try to take better pictures of my loose stones and will come back to post photos if I succeed .
Here are Jeff's pictures of the asscher zircon that I had saved from back when I purchased it.

It is just fabulous! I love everything about it.