I finally set my steel-gray / slate-blue spinels

[glitterata]

I've had this antique platinum bypass setting for years (bought it on ebay) and I could never decide what to set in it. I finally decided to go ahead and set a pair of bluish gray spinels. I hesitated because one's darker than the other, but in some lights they look very close--close enough that the slight difference looks like a mistake. But in other lights they look different enough to be interesting. I was also considering blue zircons and various other stones, but in the end I decided just to go ahead and set the gray spinels.

The photos don't really capture the wonderful sparkly grayness, like a thunderstorm or a starry dusk sky.

This shot is in daylight, when they often look pretty blue. In artificial light the lighter one can look lavender or even pinkish.

Here's an earlier thread where I was pondering what to do with the setting: link

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I think that''s very pretty, I love the miligrain and detailing. Beautiful!

 

[glitterata]

Incandescent light, looking purplish.

The ring sits better on my right hand--it''s more vertical--but it''s easier to take pictures when it''s on my left.

 

[glitterata]

Thank you, MTG!

Fluorescent light--please ignore the sweater fuzz.

 

[glitterata]

And this one''s from before they were set, but it shows how much darker one appears than the other in daylight.

I bought at least one of them--maybe both--from AJS in 2004 or 2005. I think they were +- $30 back then. I wish I''d bought a ton more spinels! They''re so much more expensive and harder to find in colors I like now.

 

[FrekeChild]

 

[glitterata]

Thanks, Freke! They''re very Frekey, aren''t they? I think you''d like this ring in person.

 

[kas baby]

beautiful. I think the two spinels really go together, like you said, close enough to not clash, but different enough to be interesting.
looks like it would be very fun to wear

(gah! every time someone posts a spinel it just makes me want one even more... somehow I''ve managed to not pull the trigger yet...)

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I am a fan of the bypass style--so this is one cool ring!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Kismet]

Very pretty! They''re different enough to look good together.

 

[chrono]

Gorgeous setting and I like how your described them as a thunderstorm/cloud-like. The days of inexpensive spinels are over.

 

[Hest88]

Oh gorgeous. That''s my absolute favorite color of spinel. (I really have to get me one...) The contrast is just enough to look absolutely deliberate and they complement each other really nicely.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 12/17/2009 7:14:28 PM
Author: glitterata
Thanks, Freke! They''re very Frekey, aren''t they? I think you''d like this ring in person.

LOL they sure are! Very moody and sparkly. It looks great!

 

[glitterata]

Such nice comments! Thank you, Sharon, Kismet, Chrono, Hest, and MonkeyPie!

I can''t believe it took me five years to set these. I think this is going to be a favorite ring.

 

[T L]

Lovely antique setting!! I''m so glad you were able to put it to good use with those sparkly spinels.

 

[packrat]

Wow! Those spinels look perfect in that setting-just beautiful!

 

[Lovinggems]

I think the gray Spinels are perfect for the vintage setting, beautiful choice.

 

[Largosmom]

I never would have thought I would like that color stone, but they are really pretty, the dark color is subtle, yet very sparkly, surprising and lovely!

Laura

 

[glitterata]

Thank you, tourmaline_lover, packrat, Lovinggems, and Laura.

Here''s a profile shot.

 

[glitterata]

The other profile angle.

 

[Arcadian]

Thats a gorgeous setting!

those stones really set it off well.


-A

 

[Cind11]

Those are really pretty stones and the setting looks perfect for them.

 

[brandy_z28]

That is a gorgeous setting and I love those spinels!

 

[Harriet]

Congratulations! Now, why haven''t I seen them?

I need to come over and rummage one day.

 

[Gailey]

Pretty ring G, lots of presence.

 

[glitterata]

Thank you, Arcadian, Cind, Brandy, and Gailey!

Harriet, you know you''re welcome--give me a little warning and I''ll bake you cupcakes.

 

[vinkalmann]

Nice, I really like the colors on both of them

 

[violet3]

love that!

 

[mochi]

WOW... the setting is so different, I love it.

 

[Fly Girl]

Gorgeous ring. Neat setting and the spinel colors work together beautifully. Just lovely.