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I finally set my sapphire

stracci2000

stracci2000

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 26, 2007
Messages
8,901
A while ago I bought a 1.33 ct. sapphire from a local gem shop.
I finally got around to setting it.
The setting is a repurposed solitaire that used to house a 1.10 MRB.
I wrestled with the prongs a bit to accommodate an oval cut. I forgot to take a before pic of the empty setting.
It turned out OK!
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Very pretty! Did you do it all on your own? If so, that's really impressive---I quite like reusing/remaking/repurposing jewelry.
 
minousbijoux said:
Wow, @stracci2000 you're getting so good at setting! Setting a repurposed prong solitaire is an achievement in my book, especially when it looks that good.
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Thanks!
I was looking around ebay for a gold setting for this stone, when it occurred to me that I already had one!
I could've made a sterling mounting, but I think sapphires look better in yellow gold.
 
stracci2000 said:
Thanks!
Yes, jewelry making is a hobby of mine.
I mostly do silversmithing, but I work on my own gold jewelry, too.
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That is so neat!!! I've dabbled with precious metal clay but I'm still quite the novice. I'm trying to create two rings with large cabochons for myself. I'd love to see more of your work!
 
@Cinders , here are just a few of my projects that I have posted about here on PS

Color change sapphire

I found this stone in a thrift store today, only $10. How could I resist?
www.pricescope.com

A Star Sapphire ring is born

I had this little star sapphire kicking around on my bench. It is the last of many stars that I bought recently. I hadn't used it yet because the star is wonky. So today I decided to make it into a sterling ring. Here are a few photos I took as I was making it. And while I was at it, I made...
www.pricescope.com

Fire Agate

I have been enamored of fire agates recently. They are so fascinating! This stone is pretty cool, the way it resembles a slice of orange or maybe the underside of a hot air balloon. The back of the stone is also amazing.
www.pricescope.com

An unusual star garnet

After seeing some lovely rings posted by @GliderPoss , I decided to come up with my own version. Gliderposs's rings below are my inspiration: I loved the heavy four pointed bezel, and I wanted to give it a go. I had this star garnet kicking around, and the deep, almost black color shows off...
www.pricescope.com
 
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Nice sapphire, and you did a beautiful job in resetting it!
 
Fascinating threads @stracci2000 !! You have admirable skills! I would really enjoy discussing metalwork with you.
 
Cinders said:
Fascinating threads @stracci2000 !! You have admirable skills! I would really enjoy discussing metalwork with you.
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I cannot tell you how much fun I have had over the years designing and creating my own jewelry. I wish more people would delve into this rewarding hobby!
 
Oh my you are so talented!!!! That's a perfect set of skills for a gem lover!!!!! I'm totally in awe!!!!!!
 
So cool that you know how to set gems, and do a great job of it too!
 
Looks great but you always do a fantastic job. Love the color of that sapphire too. You are saving a ton of money doing your own jewelry making and repairs!
 
stracci2000 said:
I cannot tell you how much fun I have had over the years designing and creating my own jewelry. I wish more people would delve into this rewarding hobby!
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How did you start? Search for a jewelry making class? Genuinely want to know as I am interested! Sounds like a super fun hobby.
 
Snowbebe said:
How did you start? Search for a jewelry making class? Genuinely want to know as I am interested! Sounds like a super fun hobby.
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Back in 2003, I met a Native American woman from the Zuni Pueblo, here in New Mexico. She was always wearing beautiful jewelry that she made. I asked her if she would give me a lesson.

I sat with her for 3 hours and learned the basics of silversmithing, gem setting, etc. She told me what tools to buy, and where to buy them. The Native American influence is huge here, and there are many shops that cater to the Native jewelry business. So I bought all the tools, and proceeded to melt sterling and crack gemstones!

But I persevered, read lots of books and watched Youtube videos. There is a huge artist population here, and whenever I ran into other silversmiths, I would ask lots of questions. So I am kind of self-taught.
 
YadaYadaYada said:
Looks great but you always do a fantastic job. Love the color of that sapphire too. You are saving a ton of money doing your own jewelry making and repairs!
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Thanks, Yada! Yes, I'm all about saving money when I can:mrgreen2:
 
stracci2000 said:
A while ago I bought a 1.33 ct. sapphire from a local gem shop.
I finally got around to setting it.
The setting is a repurposed solitaire that used to house a 1.10 MRB.
I wrestled with the prongs a bit to accommodate an oval cut. I forgot to take a before pic of the empty setting.
It turned out OK!
1628970773491.png
IMG_20210814_133449123.jpg

IMG_20210814_133443272.jpg

IMG_20210814_133029887.jpg
Click to expand...

What a beautiful colour

Plus you are so clever
Well done
Enjoy and wear it in good health
 
stracci2000 said:
A while ago I bought a 1.33 ct. sapphire from a local gem shop.
I finally got around to setting it.
The setting is a repurposed solitaire that used to house a 1.10 MRB.
I wrestled with the prongs a bit to accommodate an oval cut. I forgot to take a before pic of the empty setting.
It turned out OK!
1628970773491.png
IMG_20210814_133449123.jpg

IMG_20210814_133443272.jpg

IMG_20210814_133029887.jpg
Click to expand...

"It turned out OK!" !!!???

It looks fantastic!! I've seen plenty of examples, here on PS, of professional jewelers (some from highly touted vendors, in fact) with less satisfactory results than this. Your prongs look tight, even and symmetrical. It's a beautiful job! Can I send you some of my loose gems to set?
 
Great job and a beautiful sapphire ring!
 
@stracci2000 that's a really really really good job and you can see that you do silversmithing! Enjoy wearing your ring it's beautiful!

Cinders said:
That is so neat!!! I've dabbled with precious metal clay but I'm still quite the novice. I'm trying to create two rings with large cabochons for myself. I'd love to see more of your work!
Click to expand...

@Cinders I used to teach metal clay (gave up a few years ago) but if you want to see some of my work have a look here http://www.artisan-alchemy.net/ If you get the opportunity it's well worth learning to silversmith too because sometimes you may need to solder something. Good luck!
 
LD said:
@stracci2000 that's a really really really good job and you can see that you do silversmithing! Enjoy wearing your ring it's beautiful!



@Cinders I used to teach metal clay (gave up a few years ago) but if you want to see some of my work have a look here http://www.artisan-alchemy.net/ If you get the opportunity it's well worth learning to silversmith too because sometimes you may need to solder something. Good luck!
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How neat, @LD !!! I am at the point where I need to fuse my bezel cup to my ring and am currently stuck. I can only work on it in sporadic, short bursts so it's been some time since I've given it a go.
 
Is everything already fired? If not, you can buy tabbed bezels that you embed in the silver clay and then fire together. My Youtube channel has a video on setting stones. Sorry @stracci2000 for highjacking your thread x
 
Beautiful and inspiring! Your ring came out really well! Wish I knew how to do that. I love it!
 
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