My octagon opal ring is finished!

bluebirrrd · Jun 2, 2012

So this was kind of a big project for me, and I'm really happy with how it came out! It's almost exactly how I pictured, which is pretty amazing. It's been 6 weeks since I sent off the stone and it still isn't back in my hands, so there's more waiting to do. Ack,

I haven't had to wait like this since making an e-ring and I hated it then too.

Here is the opal unset. These were taken outside. It's 7mm, mostly transparent with a pale gold body, blue sheen, and teal flashes. It's not a screamer, but the subtle color makes the facet pattern more obvious and I think it's really unique. My original thread on the stone: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/hmmm-an-octagon-faceted-opal.173766/?onlytrade=false

These are Sally's pics, which were taken inside. She wasn't happy with all of the pictures, thinking maybe they make the bezel look lopsided, which she said it isn't. It looks beautiful to me though. I love, love, love the view from the top. I've wanted to work with Sally for a long time now, so this was a treat for me and she's just as wonderful as everyone says - so creative, responsive, and fun. I wear a size 8, the ring is sterling silver, the accents are 18k yellow gold.

Enerchi · Jun 2, 2012

Oh my!!! That's gorgeous! I love the iolani setting and anything by HoW Your beautiful stone is even more spectacular in that setting! Love the two toned look.

Can't wait till you finally get it and can post hand shots - it will look amazing!

Tanzigrrl · Jun 2, 2012

Unique and lovely - enjoy it!

I'm crazy about opals and I always love it when I come across one that is in a custom and out-of-the-ordinary setting. I think yours looks great! The bezel really makes it, in my opinion!

minousbijoux · Jun 2, 2012

That is quite a beautiful ring and really enhances the stone. More photos - inside and outside - when you get it?

pinkjewel · Jun 2, 2012

very pretty! She did a beautiful job of setting it!

Lula · Jun 2, 2012

Beautiful stone and it looks amazing in that setting. I love your taste in jewelry (I've always admired your e-ring!).

Arkteia · Jun 3, 2012

Beautiful bezel!

bluebirrrd · Jun 3, 2012

Enerchi, thank you! You were so encouraging when I was brainstorming ideas. I love the Iolani setting too. This is supposed to be a combination of the Iolani and Grace. The basket is not quite how I pictured in my mind, but it is still magical.

Thank you, Tanzigrrl! Your opal is just amazing

Yes, Minous

I look forward to a photoshoot at home. Now that it's set, I won't worry so much about the wind blowing it away again!

Pinkjewel, Sally and her artists are amazing aren't they? I'm thankful they were willing to work with my opal and treated it with such care and skill.

Aaaw, Lula, thank you so much for those words. That means so much to me!

Thank you, Arkteia, I'm really happy with how the bezel turned out. I'm also glad I went with yellow gold instead of rose, and I'm normally not a yellow gold person at all.

Kim Bruun · Jun 3, 2012

Lovely ring - it has a soft freshness/lightness to it that I really like. I hope you will post outside pics once the ring is in your hands!

maebelle · Jun 3, 2012

Beautiful!

natsplat · Jun 4, 2012

Oh gosh, that's beautiful. I love the opal: such character! Handshots sooooon please

chrono · Jun 4, 2012

Very "watery" - I hope to see hand pics soon.

bluebirrrd · Jun 4, 2012

Thank you, Kim, that's a wonderful complement.

It's so nice that you like it, Maebelle

Natsplat and Chrono, how kind of you both.

I'll come back with more photos after I get it. Now if I could just borrow a lovely hand for handshots!

movie zombie · Jun 5, 2012

pure elegance, opulence, and stunningly simple in design. oh, did i say i like it?! well, that's not the truth: i LOVE it! nicely done!

yssie · Jun 5, 2012

movie zombie said:
pure elegance, opulence, and stunningly simple in design. oh, did i say i like it?! well, that's not the truth: i LOVE it! nicely done!

An eloquent expression of everything I was thinking

I can't imagine a more complementary setting for your opal. I imagine that's the sort of piece you could sit and just stare at for hours and hours...

stargurl78 · Jun 5, 2012

VERY cool ring! That setting is perfect for your opal, that turned out to be one beautiful piece!

kenny · Jun 6, 2012

That's lovely! Very unique!

minigirl · Jun 6, 2012

Congratuations! it is so cute

bluebirrrd · Jun 7, 2012

MZ and Yssie, wow thank you so much for the amazing complements. I was looking for an opal, but I certainly didn't realize it would end up being this one. It was definitely a challenge finding the right design.

Stargurl, thank you for that! Your aqua Iolani was actually one of the inspiration photos I sent Sally while we were designing it. I'm sad that the basket couldn't come out more like yours, but what can you do. Thank you for sharing that ring though. Did you end up selling it?

Thanks Kenny!

Mini, you are too sweet!

Kunzite · Jun 7, 2012

I really like how your ring turned out, it's stunning

I can't wait for the hand shots!

Kismet · Jun 7, 2012

Very pretty! It looks great with the rose gold details.

jacy · Jun 7, 2012

Wow, I've never seen an opal cut like that before! I love the blue shimmer! Beautiful two-tone setting for it, too. Enjoy!

stargurl78 · Jun 7, 2012

bluebirrrd said:
MZ and Yssie, wow thank you so much for the amazing complements. I was looking for an opal, but I certainly didn't realize it would end up being this one. It was definitely a challenge finding the right design.

Stargurl, thank you for that! Your aqua Iolani was actually one of the inspiration photos I sent Sally while we were designing it. I'm sad that the basket couldn't come out more like yours, but what can you do. Thank you for sharing that ring though. Did you end up selling it?

Thanks Kenny!

Mini, you are too sweet!

Yay, I'm glad my ring helped to inspire you!

I really do love the basket on mine, but your ring turned out beautifully too

I didn't end up selling it but I plan to re-post it on diamond bistro in the very near future with a few other colored stone items. I just find that I am not wearing them as much as I thought I would.

bluebirrrd · Jun 9, 2012

Back with IRL photos! Can you believe Sally put it in the mail Tuesday and it arrived today (Saturday)? I'm over the moon!

First handshots, they were all outdoors. These are in shade, dappled shade, and full sun. The first two I took immediately, when it was "fresh out of the package" and I swear to you, it's become more translucent in the last hour. Upon arrival and in Sally's photos, it definitely looked more transparent than it ever did before. Humidity is currently 80% in Chiang Mai and here it's only 20%.