Please help me fill in the blank-->

[LD]

Date: 1/13/2009 4:00:50 PM
Author: mercoledi

Date: 1/13/2009 3:42:01 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
LOVE LOVE LOVE that setting!


I would be tempted to put a lovely green tourmaline long slim octagon cut, lengthwise (so there are spaces at the sides on the widest part of the shank (the middle of the ring on the right and left) which would mean removing those claws (or just having them as decoration as they''re a very pretty shape and adding a claw at the top and bottom (not sure if there are any on the top and bottom). OMG that makes me drool just thinking about it!

Thanks, it''s really lovely in person! I love all of the detail.

So you mean a mostly rectangular tourmaline? There are prongs (same engraved double ribbon prongs) on the top and bottom. I''ve even seen tourmalines cut into a similar shape like this one, though that one in particular has a whole lot of extinction going on. Hmm, I''ll think on that. I think dark is definitely the way to go.

Yes. Rectangular is exactly the word I was looking for but had a complete blank! I''d have one cut (or buy one if possible) that was just a little bit slimmer than the width at the top and bottom of the shank - does that make sense?

 

[LD]

Like this - ignore the colour but at least you''ll see what I mean!

 

[mercoledi]

Ha! I was doing the same thing! I''m not sure about the gaps though.

 

[LD]

Great minds think alike!!! You''ve done it much much better than me though!

Which do you like?

 

[mercoledi]

I think I like the green opal one best. Maybe opal's the way to go. I like the pink tourmaline too, but there's no way to do it without a serious window.

 

[ma re]

Date: 1/13/2009 5:22:03 PM
Author: mercoledi
Ha! I was doing the same thing! I''m not sure about the gaps though.

I''m not either, cause with the stone of that size, those gaps would create a serious risk of damage to the stone. One knock and you have it split in two (which might be good if you start thinking about getting earrings...

).

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/13/2009 1:40:06 PM
Author: mercoledi

Date: 1/13/2009 1:02:51 PM
Author: ma re

Boulder opal might be an affordable option, but unless it''s this exact shape I''m not sure it could be set. Besides those I already mentioned there is jade (in more colors than green), agates, jaspers, tiger''s eye, blue chalcedony, carnelian or even some kind of pearl (they''re not always round). Mother of pearl (shell) is another option, as well as malachite, moonstone (they come in interesting colors), aventurine, druzy quartz etc. I personally think labradorite wouldn''t give much of a contrast, but if you find the right one, it could work.

I don''t usually care for jade, but I may never have seen a nice piece set. I have several moonstone and pearl pieces already, so I think I want something new for that. I was looking at the agates and jaspers that Rick Martin has. As for the rest- I have a lot of reading to do! Thanks so much!

I was just at the Smithsonian, but didn''t make it to the gems exhibit in natural history this time, I wish I had now!

Hi mercoledi,
I thought the same thing, until I saw this gorgeous lavender jade cabochon

Maybe not everyone''s thing, but I think its really pretty.

Whatever you decide, I really the setting and I hope you find a great gem for it!

 

[mercoledi]

I''m leaning toward the greenish opal, that way I get the color of the tourmaline (sort of) and some fire. I think I''ll just have to be careful with it. I''m going to mull it over for a few more days and see.

AJ- that lavender is lovely! I think that color would be lost against the 10k WG though. I looks lovely in that setting.

 

[VRBeauty]

What a lovely challenge!

Dan Stair has been posting opals recently. He''s currently has one listed that''s ~10X20mm... it''s not cheap though.

Good luck with this project!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/14/2009 10:35:36 AM
Author: mercoledi

AJ- that lavender is lovely! I think that color would be lost against the 10k WG though. I looks lovely in that setting.

Yeah, I agree. I just wanted to show that there is lovely jade out there...and an excuse to post a pic of that lovely, lol..

 

[VRBeauty]

Here''s an ebay ring that sports a similar shape stone:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360123549794&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

 

[mercoledi]

So I think it''ll be opal. I ordered some little opal chips to play with, and really liked the bright green with the setting, so I made a little collage just for fun! It has sort of the tone of a tourmaline too.