- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
- Messages
- 2,560
I recently discovered two gemstones in the (igneous rock) obsidian family: rainbow obsidian and fire obsidian! They amaze me. I love phenomal gems (gems that have stuff going on in them) like labradorite and opal. I had no idea that obsidian (natural volcanic glass) existed with such beautiful stuff going on. In the case of these two kinds of obsidian, they look black head on, but when you turn them to the right angle with a light source, they exhibit incredible, moving colors!
Rainbow Obsidian has visible layers. It is cut at an angle so you can see the layers. Here's an example (photo found on Google). Turn it and BOOM, beautiful stuff that changes slightly in color shade when moved, but retains it's basic appearance.
Then there is Fire Obsidian! This stuff is like magic! It has microscopic layers, and an experienced cutter can pick the right micro layer to showcase. When you turn this otherwise black stone in various light sources, the colored light MOVES around the stone. Like magic. Here's a link to a video of the prettiest one I have ever seen. This cutter is a third generation lapidarist who specializes in this particular material.
https://www.facebook.com/em.coons.7/videos/vb.100007934881023/1608797682728046/?type=2&theater
So I have a birthday coming up, and I want to plan a pendant project. Bear in mind that the stone will spend most of its time looking black, but amazing ghosts of color will pop up as I move and it catches the light. I don't know if I want to go with silver or gold. I love the color and feel of silver, but silver doesn't hold up so well over decades. So I am undecided. Obsidian has a hardness of around 5.5, so not very hard.
I LOVE the style of this setting, with the haphazard balls:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/222116067/blue-flash-labradorite-ring-handmade
I don't think I'd want to send my stone overseas for setting, though. I do know another jeweler who is local to me and makes similar pieces. I could go with gold or silver, and I still don't know.
Thoughts?
Rainbow Obsidian has visible layers. It is cut at an angle so you can see the layers. Here's an example (photo found on Google). Turn it and BOOM, beautiful stuff that changes slightly in color shade when moved, but retains it's basic appearance.
Then there is Fire Obsidian! This stuff is like magic! It has microscopic layers, and an experienced cutter can pick the right micro layer to showcase. When you turn this otherwise black stone in various light sources, the colored light MOVES around the stone. Like magic. Here's a link to a video of the prettiest one I have ever seen. This cutter is a third generation lapidarist who specializes in this particular material.
https://www.facebook.com/em.coons.7/videos/vb.100007934881023/1608797682728046/?type=2&theater
So I have a birthday coming up, and I want to plan a pendant project. Bear in mind that the stone will spend most of its time looking black, but amazing ghosts of color will pop up as I move and it catches the light. I don't know if I want to go with silver or gold. I love the color and feel of silver, but silver doesn't hold up so well over decades. So I am undecided. Obsidian has a hardness of around 5.5, so not very hard.
I LOVE the style of this setting, with the haphazard balls:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/222116067/blue-flash-labradorite-ring-handmade
I don't think I'd want to send my stone overseas for setting, though. I do know another jeweler who is local to me and makes similar pieces. I could go with gold or silver, and I still don't know.
Thoughts?
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