I inherited...an apatite? Is there any way to safely set it?

[KeepStepping]

I’m not sure where to put this thread or what to do here, but when going through some family estate pieces in safety deposit boxes I found this stone. Most of the unset stones I could identify, and most were set into jewelry pieces. But, several stones were unset pieces from my grandfather. There was a low colored larger diamond, a (pale) cornflower sapphire, a really large chunk of amethyst cut to be the “shell” of a turtle in a 22k gold turtle statue...and this.

I was given it and told that it must be topaz, but it shifts from blue to greenish depending on the light. In bright light it is bright blue, and in shade it turns green and is super glowy in low light almost like a pale emerald. I did some Googling and it looks like it might be apatite, but I cannot find very much information about whether or not it can be set, only that it is a very soft stone. I’d like to set it and wear it if possible because of the sentimental value, but I don’t want to break it. Has anyone set an apatite in a pendant? Is it true that it cannot be set in a ring? If I am being clueless and this is an excellent color of some sort of mystery glass...is there a stone that is hard enough to set into jewelry to commemorate my grandparent in this color range?

 

[T L]

It could be a tourmaline too. No matter who sets it, get a jeweler experienced with setting colored stones, not just diamonds.

I have some apatite set into rings. They’re soft, so I would only wear them sparingly.

 

[nutellakitty]

Would be paraiba too.

 

[minousbijoux]

You might want to get it checked out before you set it, because there is a huge value difference between an apatite and a cuprian tourmaline. I'm hoping its a cuprian!

 

[KeepStepping]

It could be a tourmaline too. No matter who sets it, get a jeweler experienced with setting colored stones, not just diamonds.

I have some apatite set into rings. They’re soft, so I would only wear them sparingly.

It sounds like the first step is to take it somewhere to determine what it is. And then find a bench that has experience (and willingness) to set soft stones. Do we have bench lists of not just colored stone friendly jewelers, but soft stones? It sounds like a ring is out of the question if it apatite.

Actually, my first question should be — can any jeweler who is experienced in colored gems take a look at it and determine apatite vs. other, or should I send it for a lab report? It looks like a report is something in the low $300s, and the stone would be worth a bit less as an apatite, so it would be a wash but at least I would know what it is, because it is such a pleasant color to my eye.

 

[T L]

It sounds like the first step is to take it somewhere to determine what it is. And then find a bench that has experience (and willingness) to set soft stones. Do we have bench lists of not just colored stone friendly jewelers, but soft stones? It sounds like a ring is out of the question if it apatite.

Actually, my first question should be — can any jeweler who is experienced in colored gems take a look at it and determine apatite vs. other, or should I send it for a lab report? It looks like a report is something in the low $300s, and the stone would be worth a bit less as an apatite, so it would be a wash but at least I would know what it is, because it is such a pleasant color to my eye.

Depends where you live. In a very populated urban area, you might find a gemologist willing to look at it, and recommend jewelers that set softer stones.

 

[prs]

DW has a 23ct apatite currently being set as a pendant by David Klass.

 

[kimberlyqkim]

How exciting, keep us updated!

 

[strawrose]

Whatever it is, it’s pretty!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

While we are waiting please feel free to start another thread to show us what else you got
i for one love looking at grandma and grandpa jewlery

 

[Gummybear]

It is such a pretty color! I have a tiny pixel apatite set as a pendant. I wear is sparingly as the necklace is an inch to short for my liking, but I really like the stone.