First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea!

[BeritJansen]

Hello! I love this forum. I have seen some really cool stuff on here. I have a very recent interest in gemstones which started with a purchase in Tanzania this summer of almost 3.75 carats of tanzanite from Swala gem traders. I am first interested to know if I got a good deal on the stones. I bought a matched set at 1.52 total weight and two other stones at 1.12 and 1.09 carats that look to the eye like a matched set (I think on seperate ears you'll never be able to tell they are different sizes. The stones are stunningly beautiful and all eye clean (i honestly could hardly see anything worth mentioning with the loop either...) and they have such a rich color and beautiful cut (All Trillion...or is it trilliant?)

I got the lot for 1,665 US. I know there are cheaper stones out there, but i felt that these were just such good color and quality that it was worth it (I bargained HARD for that price!) so I'll be interested to get them apraised to see how i did. any oppinion?

Now I know these are soft stones, and i read some posts advising against them for a ring. I'm wondering about earrings? The intension was for some simple studs. One set is for my mom, (from dad for 35th wedding anniversary) But for my set: the 1.52 carat total weight, I wanted to design my own setting and then find an artist who could bring it into reality.

I want it to be just slightly edgy without detracting from the classyiness of the stones and i saw a ring on this site once that had prongs that looked like bird talons and couldnt get it out of my head, so i am trying to find someone who can bring my sketches to life. Any advice for setting these stones as far as light entry...corner structure...I want a 3 prong setting where each prong then divides into two little claws to fit on either side of the corner with filigre is that the term to make them look more real. I feel this will give a lot of protection even though the work would be VERY intricate. then i was thinking kind of a standard double bar (not sure of termonology) to connect each side so light can get in between them. with a screw back for added safty.

I am thinking white gold and was wondering if it is better to set soft stones in hard metal or softer metal or does it make a difference...would 18k gold be necessary?

also, what price am I looking at for a custom setting like this??


Hope someone has some advice as i embark on this jewel mission!!!

 

[chrono]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

So here's the breakdown:
0.76 ct and 0.76 ct (approximately)
1.12 ct and 1.09 ct

Yes, the great thing about earrings is that the colours and sizes do not have to be perfectly identical. And yes, tanzanite make excellent earring stones. The prongs you like are called double or split claw prongs which some shops do it better than others. Again, for earrings, you have more options and can select 14k or 18k, white or yellow. Pricing will depend on who you go to and the level of the shop's skill (finish and workmanship).

If you like, you can certainly get your tanzanite appraised but what is your purpose? Just to see if you got a deal or for insurance purposes? I know I sound like a broken record lately but many appraisals tend to be over-inflated in the first place so this piece of information may do you little good.

Do you mind posting the pictures of the stones? They sound pretty. Many of us here also make Swala offers so I think in general, we pay a good to fair price.

 

[BeritJansen]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

Thanks for the Info! Here is a picture of the stones.

 

[chrono]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

Beautiful tanzanites. What's the measurements? Are you going to use two stones per earring (total of 4) or save 2 for something else?

 

[BeritJansen]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

Thanks! Im not sure what the measurements are yet. I have to find a ruler that has mm on it! the other pair is from my dad for my mom and she will see them in November for their anniversary. I am guessing she will have them put in a traditional setting, but pops and i are coming up with some ideas!

 

[chrono]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

Swala should have provided the measurements on the back of the gem cases. Using a mm ruler is very imprecise.

 

[BeritJansen]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

I checked the back of the case, and they did give a referance number. Maybe I can look it up or call them to find out, but no, they did not give me the measurements! I'll get in touch with them soon to try and find out what they are. Thanks again!

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

Very nice stones. They'll make wonderful earrings. Me, I'd put them in yellow or rose gold -- richer & warmer against that lovely tanz color. Could you show us a sketch of your setting idea, or a pic of something similar that may have inspired you?

--- Laurie

 

[BeritJansen]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

I wish i could find the picture of the ring that I loved so much. Was searching for so many things i couldnt keep it all straight. i will look up the little owl claw rings and earrings and see if the artist minds me putting a picture up. Otherwise once I refine my sketches a bit I'll put them up. they are very rough. definatly I am inspired by little bird talons. with thier smooth claw and rough skin. I love the idea of using rose or yellow gold with them. I was originally leaning toward white gold, but i think yellow might be really nice...good call

 

[LD]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

Congratulations on your purchase.

You have paid a fair retail price for the quality of the gemstones (if the pictures are a good representation of what you've got).

Tanzanite should be eye clean. It is a type 1 gemstone so if you see inclusions then the quality is not as good as you should expect.

In terms of the setting, the two bars holding a gemstone on either side is, I think, from your description a tension setting. This is not good for Tanzanite because the setting process puts quite a bit of pressure on the stones. If you decide to go ahead then you must make sure that you are familiar with the setter AND that you are insured in case the stones break in the process. All stones can break and every setter has this happen to them at some point - it's just with Tanzanite the risk is slightly more because of the softness of the stone.

If you are risk averse, you should stay away from bezel or tension settings and stick to old fashioned prongs I'm afraid! If you don't mind taking risks and can find a good setter then you could take a chance on something a bit more challenging!

 

[pregcurious]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

Very pretty stones! Can't wait to see them set.

 

[chrono]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

There are pseudo-tension settings you can use in lieu of a true tension setting. It looks like one from the top view but has a support structure or bracing underneath so it doesn't put too much stress on the stones.

 

[BeritJansen]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

I looked up tensions settings, and thats definately not what im looking for. I definatly want prongs. but do the prongs have to have something holding them together? if an earring post just has three split prongs, wouldn't it need some sort of base to hold the prongs steady? I just looked at a bunch of prong settings and some have it, and some dont... (Is it called the gallery?? the part where the prongs attach. this is where i was thinking some space would help light enter)

 

[BeritJansen]

Re: First time logging in...Need help with my tanzanite idea

Thanks for the lingo! I found a photo with kind of the shape I want, but Its just not the style. this one is waaaayy too chunky. but kinda has the right idea....