How would you set this cat's eye tourmaline?

[lilmosun]

Picked this up at the Springfield Gem & Mineral show...the color was right up my alley and the bands of light that go up and down the stone as it moves made it hard to resist. But given it's odd shape, I am at lost as to how to set it other than maybe a simple bezel. I think the effect looks best N-S. Maybe PSers might have some ideas.

 

[Rfisher]

Tourmaline?
Edit- never mind-- I can't read titles.


I don't always go for halos, but yes on this one.

 

[Arcadian]

I don't know if I'd do a halo strangely enough. Totally white metal. this thing would sing in white metal. Maybe a simple bezel is all it really needs. Only way it wouldn't work well is if the stone was lopsided (dosen't look it to me)

So does the lines show as clear in person as they do on the image?

 

[Rfisher]

I'm thinking colored melee or onyx or enamel. Not diamond halo.

 

[Bluegemz]

Such a cool stone! My first thought would be yellow gold, with little wave motifs going around it, or with sand dune like curves and some accent diamonds....

 

[lilmosun]

Only way it wouldn't work well is if the stone was lopsided (dosen't look it to me)

So does the lines show as clear in person as they do on the image?

No..it's not lopsided at all..just long and high/deep. And yes, the lines are bright and clear.

I'm thinking colored melee or onyx or enamel. Not diamond halo.

Hmm...what color melee? I love multicolor pieces but my concern is the stone has so much going on that too much else might just clash.

Such a cool stone! My first thought would be yellow gold, with little wave motifs going around it, or with sand dune like curves and some accent diamonds....

Thank you. I thought it was cool.

Inspiration pictures or drawings appreciated!

 

[dk168]

I would bezel set it in a shiny metal only halo in white metal.

DK

 

[Arcadian]

Ok so with that, plain white bezel I think something like this.


Its got lines right, so I think that will let it be the star.

 

[dk168]

Acinom has a Amethyst cab set in a metal only bezel by AK, see if I can find it.

DK

 

[dk168]

Acinom has a Amethyst cab set in a metal only bezel by AK, see if I can find it.

DK

Not sure if the setting was by AK, however, I found a pic of that ring:


I would opt for a wider metal halo myself.

DK

 

[Rfisher]

You can never go wrong with a sleek bezel!
But come on! Is there really too much going on here competing with this cat eye?

In all seriousness, you have a great eye for color and it'd be useless for me to suggest colors for you.
Breaking up the line of a sleek bezel can be striking as well:

The last three pics show how enamel and onyx/rock crystal could really set off your stone nicely.


A tourmaline cab wouldn't be considered an every day ring anyways, right? The white onyx now look like teeth to me! I wouldn't do it quite like that.....

 

[Bluegemz]

No..it's not lopsided at all..just long and high/deep. And yes, the lines are bright and clear.

Hmm...what color melee? I love multicolor pieces but my concern is the stone has so much going on that too much else might just clash.

Thank you. I thought it was cool.

Inspiration pictures or drawings appreciated!

Will find some inspiration pics or do a sketch.

 

[lilmosun]

Thank you...pictures are definitely helping me. I think if I set it as a pendant, a simpler bezel halo such as dk128 and Arcadian will be perfect. But it's too oblong for a ring and I'd want a setting that gives it more width like some of RFishers inspiration pictures.

 

[Bluegemz]

Thank you...pictures are definitely helping me. I think if I set it as a pendant, a simpler bezel halo such as dk128 and Arcadian will be perfect. But it's too oblong for a ring and I'd want a setting that gives it more width like some of RFishers inspiration pictures.

I’m still trying to find one ring I’m thinking of, but in the meantime, some lovely rings just as food for thought...

 

[marymm]

Stunning cabochon!

I'd probably set it in this CVB Norah solitaire and let the stone steal the show

 

[peacechick]

How about a white gold halo that is wider on the sides, like this?

 

[Rare gem lover]

I love the idea of the cvb type of design!
The pendant sounds lovely but not if you want admire the amazing cats eye effect all the time.

 

[Bluegemz]

My feeling is that those beautiful arches in the tourmaline should be carried out further in the metal and down the finger fluidly. They remind me of waves coming to the shore, or the great tides and forces of nature, as in how sand dunes are formed by waves of wind. I will try some a sketch if I can’t find what I’m looking for.

 

[Bluegemz]

What I like most about the last ring I posted, is that the striations of the stone seem to be almost pulled tightly across the arch of the stone by those beautiful, clear and architectural prongs. They look like they could have come from the facade of an ancient temple. Though not fluid, there is a restful quality to the base and an intentional interaction and relationship between the striations in the stone and the setting. The setting does not feel arbitrary to the stone, and a unique stone like yours calls for a unique setting to go with it.

 

[lilmosun]

marymm.. I wish as I would like nothing more than to get another piece of art from Caysie, I think I need a setting that offsets that compensates for the length of the stone

peacechick - I was thinking along those lines but even wider (and less busy?) or perhaps a split/wide shank?

rare gem lover - laughing- I agree on watching the cats eye effect. I keep making rings so I can gaze at stones and only wish I had more fingers Maybe a cuff bracelet?

 

[lilmosun]

My feeling is that those beautiful arches in the tourmaline should be carried out further in the metal and down the finger fluidly. They remind me of waves coming to the shore, or the great tides and forces of nature, as in how sand dunes are formed by waves of wind. I will try some a sketch if I can’t find what I’m looking for.

Thank you for looking...And yes, I love the last setting you posted the best so far. LOVE the prongs. But for some reason, I like how that cat's eye moves N-S better and E-W yet don't like the "tall" effect.

 

[Hivona]

That looks like a really unique and beautiful gem! Check out this Instagram account. I think they do really neat work with bezels. I’ve never used their service but am considering it for a chrysoprase cab I have down the road. If nothing else it’s good for inspiration!

 

[Bluegemz]

Some other food for thought about stylistic elements....in the picture with many rings, there is one on the far right with a swirl pattern...,

 

[Rfisher]

Those your drawings? They are great!

 

[Bluegemz]

Those your drawings? They are great!

Hey thanks!

 

[icy_jade]

A tummy?

Maybe something cute and whimsical to play up the effect?

 

[lilmosun]

Some other food for thought about stylistic elements....in the picture with many rings, there is one on the far right with a swirl pattern...,

I LOVE both the drawings and the first photo. I may do something like one of them. Thank you!

A tummy?

Maybe something cute and whimsical to play up the effect?

Oh my...look at all those cat's eyes...I do like the idea of whimsical too

 

[peacechick]

Some other food for thought about stylistic elements....in the picture with many rings, there is one on the far right with a swirl pattern...,

I love the drawing with the wavy split shank! It really goes with the stone so well. I agree that simple, modern, broad, but soft and wavelike is the way to go.

 

[lilmosun]

In the end, I couldn't being myself to splurge going custom as it was more a novelty fun stone or me. Luckily, I found a stock setting at Intergem and the bench agreed to adjust the head and prongs. Nothing as stunning as your suggestions but better than leaving unset. I was going to post on the $1250 thread but remembered I owed you all an update and thanks for all the input and work..even though I went another direction, I appreciate every post.

 

[Bluegemz]

In the end, I couldn't being myself to splurge going custom as it was more a novelty fun stone or me. Luckily, I found a stock setting at Intergem and the bench agreed to adjust the head and prongs. Nothing as stunning as your suggestions but better than leaving unset. I was going to post on the $1250 thread but remembered I owed you all an update and thanks for all the input and work..even though I went another direction, I appreciate every post.

Oh wow, that is truly stunning. I’m blown away! Such a unique and special stone. The setting does it plenty of justice