Oregon Sunstone

[ladypirate]

Hi all you colored gem experts!

One of my best friends just got engaged sans ring and she and her fiance have decided they want to go mine their own sunstone rough at the dust devil mine, then get it cut and custom set. She asked me for some recommendations since she doesn''t know much about fine jewelry.

I had a couple of questions about sunstone itself, first. I''ve heard it''s a softer stone--would she have to be really careful wearing it? Also, what are the chances of them finding a decent-quality stone in several days at the mine?

I suggested that if they find a good one, she contact Jeff White, since he does BEAUTIFUL work and has a couple of sunstones in his gallery online. Are there any other gem cutters that you''d recommend?

Finally, since she''s looking for a setting with carving/engraving and a naturalistic style, I suggested she look at Green Lake Jewelers (very much her style and they''re close enough to her that she could deal with them in person--she''s in Portland, OR). Are there any other jewelers you''d recommend?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

 

[movie zombie]

how about going to montana and mining their own sapphire?

personally, i think sunstone is too soft and the chances of finding something worth jeff''s time to cut to be about nil. however, never say never, especially if she''s interested in something a bit different and perhaps goes with a cab..........still soft, though.

movie zombie

 

[Pandora II]

I love Oregon Sunstone - I keep eyeing up a couple Richard at artcutgems has with fab copper inclusions. He''d be worth trying as well as Jeff.

I''d be a little bit wary of it as an e-ring stone. It''s a only 6 - 7.2 on the mohs, but also has two cleavage directions which makes it rather more dangerous.

She''d need to be super careful wearing it.

 

[ladypirate]

Thanks for the replies, Pandora & MZ! I know she's not the most careful with her jewelry, so it may be a better idea to suggest they try mining for a sapphire instead (plus, I went with her to try on some settings and she really liked the sapphire ones). Even if they can't find one themselves, I can always point her over to the Natural Sapphire Company. Yum!

Speaking of them, one thing I've noticed is that their stones aren't always the best cut (not trying to offend anyone--I've just seen some obviously non-symmetrical stones on their site!). Could she get one larger than she actually wants the finished stone and then have someone recut it?

ETA: After further thought, I could also suggest she look at spinel. Flame spinels are so pretty and I've heard they're pretty hard wearing. Plus, I just love the look of spinel in general. Man, I wish her ring were MY project!

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/22/2008 7:27:00 PM
Author: ladypirate
Thanks for the replies, Pandora & MZ! I know she''s not the most careful with her jewelry, so it may be a better idea to suggest they try mining for a sapphire instead (plus, I went with her to try on some settings and she really liked the sapphire ones). Even if they can''t find one themselves, I can always point her over to the Natural Sapphire Company. Yum!

Speaking of them, one thing I''ve noticed is that their stones aren''t always the best cut (not trying to offend anyone--I''ve just seen some obviously non-symmetrical stones on their site!). Could she get one larger than she actually wants the finished stone and then have someone recut it?

ETA: After further thought, I could also suggest she look at spinel. Flame spinels are so pretty and I''ve heard they''re pretty hard wearing. Plus, I just love the look of spinel in general. Man, I wish her ring were MY project!

Probably better to go straight to the cutter and get them to help rather than buy a stone and recut.

 

[movie zombie]

Date: 5/23/2008 7:16:31 AM
Author: Pandora II

Probably better to go straight to the cutter and get them to help rather than buy a stone and recut.

i agree. also, don''t expect a self-mined sapphire to look like the ones she sees in fine jewelry. they are out there but hard to find at the mine. i actually love the look of the lighter brighter montana sapphires.

movie zombie

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 5/23/2008 10:00:49 AM
Author: movie zombie

i agree. also, don''t expect a self-mined sapphire to look like the ones she sees in fine jewelry. they are out there but hard to find at the mine. i actually love the look of the lighter brighter montana sapphires.

movie zombie

I don''t think that''s such an issue--she''s not that big into jewelry for the most part. I think she''d just like something unusual. In any case, thanks so much for the advice!!!