How to set legrandite?

[Vesper]

How would you set this Legrandite? It is just under 1ct.

 

[chrono]

Uhhh, good luck trying to find someone who is willing to set such a soft and brittle stone. It is more of a collector stone than something one sets and wears.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Yep, it is a delicate stone and not very suited to jewelry.

If you are going to set it, it really should be as a pendant. Since the tips are not very sharp, I would bezel set it in 22 or 24k gold and a thinner bezel, which can be closed with a plastic pusher instead of a steel punch. Around the bezel, a thicker frame to help protect the stone. And a solid back plate, which would avoid pressure from the back.

Finally, a little green faceted stone as an accent.

 

[Vesper]

@Chrono I did! He is Zuni and quite talented with difficult stones. Legrandite helps with the crown chakra. Wearing it will make it more effective (if you are into that kind of thing.)

@Lady_Disdain I was thinking setting it on a brushed gold disk to protect the stone from the back. Do you think that would protect it?

 

[chrono]

Wow, awesome that you found some talented enough to set it. LadyD's advice is sound. It seems safest with a soft metal like high karat gold, bezel to give it a bit more protection, and a backing for added strength.

 

[Vesper]

@Chrono the jeweler across the street form me, like I said, is Zuni and his work is insane and was really excited when I approached him about setting the stone. The stone has some amazing healing properties and I have been hunting one to set for awhile. The closer to the skin the more it works! (again, if you are into that kind of thing.)

Question, so a bezel sounds like a good idea and a backing, will I run the risk of it just crumbling? I have no read it will do that but I do worry. That being said I do know if I want to wear a stone like this it is a huge risk and whatever happens happens.

 

[Vesper]

@Lady_Disdain do you think a little neon green paraiba would look good or should it be darker? (I am totally lost.)

 

[chrono]

Demantoid green?
I think turquoise Zircon would be lovely too.

 

[Vesper]

So my God-like jeweler said putting this stone in a bezel will "kill" it and to put as many prongs on it as I will let him. He also said having it on a disk is an excellent idea! Thanks Pricescope! Now I just need to figure out what it will look like.

 

[Vesper]

IT CAME

 

[Vesper]

So my jeweler friend said he is going to make me a disk that looks like the headdress of the man in the center of the Aztec Sun stone. I am pretty excited to see what he comes up with. I told him to go wild and do whatever he wants.



He also said he has set Crystallized Asbestos before in a brooch. Has anyone seen it? I can't find a picture online.

 

[Vesper]

The necklace is still being worked on. I am in love with the idea of having a ring that goes with it. I found a .5ct industrial grade rose cut yellow diamond that I think looks like legrandite and has similar inclusions. I want to set it in a rustic setting.

I had something like this in mind:

I know this style and industrial diamonds are an acquired taste

 

[Vesper]

It is done! I had a geologist certify the stone and it is being appraised at the moment. He flipped when he saw the stone.

 

[Gloria27]

Truly amazing piece!

 

[Vesper]

Truly amazing piece!

Thank you. I am so happy at how much it looks like a headdress! I am giddy

 

[chatoyancy]

Your pendant is so cool!

 

[meladori]

it looks so vibrant! I love the bright yellow. how did you find your jeweler?

 

[arkieb1]

Wow that is really cool, and it's great he managed to set it!!!!

 

[Vesper]

it looks so vibrant! I love the bright yellow. how did you find your jeweler?

It was stupid luck. A new shop opened in town and I noticed it had lots of Zuni items. Then I asked the owner about the jeweler and he said he as a Zuni trained silversmith. I had the jeweler make some earring for me and his work was really well done. Then he made me a hair pin. My husband found a pearl in an oyster he was eating (it looks like a dino egg ) but I wanted to have it set and he did a fantastic job.


Then I found the legrandite and I knew with his experience cutting up and setting tiny stones he would have no problem with the legrandite. Turns out he collects Aztec ear flares. https://onetribe.nu/blogs/content/78343681-status-symbolism-and-spirit-of-the-mayan-ear-flare
So he took the idea and ran with it. He said he wanted to set it in such a way to "respect the stone." He might actually be the most interesting man in the world.

 

[meladori]

that's beautiful! you're very fortunate. I've been (slowly) learning some basic metalsmithing and reading up on stone setting and respecting the stone is definitely one of the first things I've learned.

 

[digdeep]

Gorgeous setting and AMAZING craftsman!! You are so lucky........wear it in good health!

 

[Arcadian]

Wow thats beautifully set!

 

[ElizabethR]

He did an awesome job of setting your stone. Love that it is tilted but looks perfectly placed.

 

[pregcurious]

This is definitely the most interesting projects I've seen on PS in years. Congratulations!

 

[stracci2000]

Wow, what a great looking pendant!
Vesper, are you in New Mexico, by chance?
Many years ago, I was taught silver smithing by a woman from Zuni Pueblo.
I live in NM and know many native jewelers who do impressive work.

 

[Vesper]

Wow, what a great looking pendant!
Vesper, are you in New Mexico, by chance?
Many years ago, I was taught silver smithing by a woman from Zuni Pueblo.
I live in NM and know many native jewelers who do impressive work.

I live in the south but he traveled all over teaching. I am very envious of your learning to sliver smith!

 

[ilovegemstones]

What an amazing work of art! So happy for you Vesper!

 

[Vesper]

So I posted about crystallized asbestos. My jeweler showed me a chunk he has that is set in a pendent. It is interesting looking. I am not sure I dig it but it is unusual. I would like some to keep with my deadly stone theme. Now that I am reading the thread I do not think I mentioned legrandite is crystallized arsenic. It is totally safe and stable as long as you to not expose it to acid.

Here are two stunning uncut pieces of legrandite.