Rose Quartz

[missy]

I am enjoying learning about colored stones. I think I have fallen in love with rose quartz and I did some research here but I still don't know how to judge a good rose quartz from a not as good one. Could you guys tell me what you think of this one please?

Thanks!

 

[kenny]

Pretty, but the "prongs" don't look too strong.

 

[justginger]

I know nothing about rose quartz, but that pendant design is just delicious! So, so incredibly beautiful. I know Kenny's right about the 'prongs' but if worn lightly, surely it would be ok? I don't know, I can't get over what a beautiful necklace that is.

 

[JewelFreak]

It looks nice to me. Good shade of light pink & in the neck pic it seems translucent enough -- it should have some silk but still be translucent. In the 2nd photo you can see the background through it a little bit, good. I absolutely LOOOOVE the setting! Totally gorgeous, delicate, perfect for the quartz. I'm not enough of a judge to know whether it's secure with those "prongs," but man, it is a beautiful setting.

--- Laurie

 

[missy]

Kenny, that's a great point. All I did was see the stone and setting and thought how pretty and totally missed that prong issue. I am going to have to ask the jeweler about that. Thank you!

Thank you JustGinger! The quartz color seems pretty to me but I don't know either what a "good" color is for this stone. But I love the pendant design. I just am not sure now that Kenny brought it up about the security of the design.

Laurie-thank you for chiming in! So the color seems good to you and the fact that it is translucent. That provides me with more info than I had when I posted because I really don't know how to judge the quality of the rose quartz. In the photos the color seems nice but I am not sure what I should be looking for so that reassures me. I agree about the setting-it is perfect for the stone.

 

[stargurl78]

I know nothing about rose quartz, but that pendant design is just delicious! So, so incredibly beautiful. I know Kenny's right about the 'prongs' but if worn lightly, surely it would be ok? I don't know, I can't get over what a beautiful necklace that is.

Ditto this. I would go for it, its absolutely beautiful!

 

[missy]

Thanks Stargurl! I showed this pendant to my dh and he thinks the setting is very secure because of the way the prongs (setting) are (is) tilted. So now I am mainly concerned about the quality of the rose quartz. I am hoping some rose quartz experts will chime in.

ETA: I did email the jeweler though about the security of the setting just in case so I am waiting for his reply.

 

[chrono]

Does your rose quartz show any star? If so, that would be great, if not that's all right too. Not all rose quartz show this characteristic. Other than that, the cleaner the gem, the higher the quality, meaning you want one to be as transparent as possible. It will never be 100% clear, so you are essentially judging the level of translucency. Secondly is the colour. A stronger purer pink is desired. As always, my preferred method of judging a gemstone's quality is on the hand.

In terms of setting, that is absolutely gorgeous. The prongs are fine because they are numerous, curves properly around the cabochon and see very little action as a pendant setting.

 

[missy]

Does your rose quartz show any star? If so, that would be great, if not that's all right too. Not all rose quartz show this characteristic. Other than that, the cleaner the gem, the higher the quality, meaning you want one to be as transparent as possible. It will never be 100% clear, so you are essentially judging the level of translucency. Secondly is the colour. A stronger purer pink is desired. As always, my preferred method of judging a gemstone's quality is on the hand.

In terms of setting, that is absolutely gorgeous. The prongs are fine because they are numerous, curves properly around the cabochon and see very little action as a pendant setting.

Thank you for helping me again Chrono!!
Here is the jeweler's response to my email to him:

The prongs on the stone are very strong. The prongs are all around the stone, so it is definitely secure. I setted the stone myself so I am extremely confident with this information. This is a natural very high quality stone, hand picked, beautifully smoothed, and the tone is ideal.

Honestly, it is difficult to tell from pics re the color/transparency of the stone so I agree there is no substitute for seeing it in person. However, he is located many thousands of miles away so I have to take a leap of faith. I see they have a 7 day return policy for most pieces but not sure if this one qualifies.
There is no star but that doesn't matter to me because I am not such a fan of the star for some reason.

From these limited pictures do you think it is a good piece? I am adding the last 2 pics I have. I know it is not top notch but because I like the way it looks I would purchase it as long as you don't think it is poor quality (from what you can tell that is). Thanks Chrono!

 

[JaneSmith]

I'm not an expert, but I think that looks very pretty. Nice colour, even tone. I love cabs. Is this your christmas present?

 

[chrono]

Is it of poor quality? Definitely not! How good a quality? Seems at least good to very good. Looks very watery and the colour isn't too light. Rose quartz should not be expensive at all, perhaps $100 thereabouts for a 15 ct piece if it shows a star, if not, should not cost more than $30.

 

[missy]

Thank you JaneSmith! This would be my Hanukkah present from my dh.

Chrono- thanks again. So I guess I am paying mainly for the gold and the workmanship more than the rose quartz stone itself. Good to know. I appreciate your expertise as always!

 

[fabulousfindk]

This is SUCH a beautiful necklace, I just absolutely love it. I would wear this every day.

 

[LD]

It's very beautiful and the prongs are fine as Chrono has said.

Rose quartz should be a relatively cheap stone. So what's important is the price (you are really paying for the gold/workmanship rather than the rose quartz) and whether you feel it's affordable.

To give you an indication of price, I've just bought nuggets totalling 500ct for £30 (which is about $50).

 

[missy]

Thank you fabulousfindk. I love the color and agree it can go with many different things so can be quite versatile.

LD, thanks for adding your thoughts. It confirms what I have been thinking. It's hard to put a price on this piece because it is more of an abstract/personal sense of the piece and what one feels it is worth. I am leaning towards pulling the trigger though. If anyone else has any other thoughts I would love to hear them.

ETA: I purchased the necklace! It will take 7-14 days to arrive so I will try to be patient. Thanks to all who responded to this thread. Your replies were very helpful.

 

[JewelFreak]

Missy, please post photos when you get it! I'm so crazy about the setting, I wish I had enough in the bank to have somebody make one like it for me. As far as the quartz goes, it's a nice stone & if you think it's worth the cost of the piece, then it is! There's nothing objectionable about it; in fact, it's terrific in that setting.

--- Laurie

 

[chrono]

Missy,
It is a beautiful pendant - I am sure the workmanship is the bulk of the price but the rose quartz is no slouch either. I would be delighted if hubs got me something like this for Xmas.

 

[missy]

Thank you so much Laurie and Chrono.

Laurie - I will post lots of pics for you! I think you should get the same setting. After all, aren't we supposed to be long lost twins? That would be most fitting. And if you get a different stone we can share.I'm game and I'll go first like you suggested!

Chrono-Just to be clear my dh has very little to do with the gifts I receive from him. I pick them out for myself from him. Anyone can do that. I find it very romantic because I get exactly what I want! And he loves the arrangement as well. It works for us.

 

[txgreeneyes]

Very pretty and unique!

 

[JewelFreak]

Thank you so much Laurie and Chrono.

Laurie - I will post lots of pics for you! I think you should get the same setting. After all, aren't we supposed to be long lost twins? That would be most fitting. And if you get a different stone we can share.I'm game and I'll go first like you suggested!

Chrono-Just to be clear my dh has very little to do with the gifts I receive from him. I pick them out for myself from him. Anyone can do that. I find it very romantic because I get exactly what I want! And he loves the arrangement as well. It works for us.

Yup, we definitely are twins, Missy! DH buys me gifts the same way. Maybe we're identical twins. OK -- different stones & we'll share. Can I borrow your setting while I save up?

--- Laurie

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Very pretty and feminine--looks as light as a feather!

Awesome Missy!

cheers--Sharon

 

[missy]

Very pretty and unique!

Thank you txgreeneyes.

Thank you so much Laurie and Chrono.

Laurie - I will post lots of pics for you! I think you should get the same setting. After all, aren't we supposed to be long lost twins? That would be most fitting. And if you get a different stone we can share.I'm game and I'll go first like you suggested!

Chrono-Just to be clear my dh has very little to do with the gifts I receive from him. I pick them out for myself from him. Anyone can do that. I find it very romantic because I get exactly what I want! And he loves the arrangement as well. It works for us.

Yup, we definitely are twins, Missy! DH buys me gifts the same way. Maybe we're identical twins. OK -- different stones & we'll share. Can I borrow your setting while I save up?

--- Laurie

Absolutely Laurie!

HI:

Very pretty and feminine--looks as light as a feather!

Awesome Missy!

cheers--Sharon

Thank you Sharon!

 

[pregcurious]

I love how the prongs echo the design on the rest of the setting. How thoughtful and artistic.

 

[chrono]

Even better that you get to pick what you want; everyone is now happy! He gets the credit for getting you the perfect gift and you know you're gonna love it.

 

[missy]

Even better that you get to pick what you want; everyone is now happy! He gets the credit for getting you the perfect gift and you know you're gonna love it.

LOL Chrono- that is so true. He's the best dh ever!
And he never says no- that might actually be a negative because it has made me much more cautious in what I buy since I know he will never tell me no. I think and think some more before I purchase jewelry these days.

I love how the prongs echo the design on the rest of the setting. How thoughtful and artistic.

Thank you pregcurious. I love that too. I hope it looks as pretty in person.

 

[gsellis]

No cracks, consistant color, some glow, clear pink. A good piece. A top tier will be pinker and clearer with a glow from the silt/silk in it.

Here is an example of clearer.



I have added a piece of Hogg Mine. This is not as pink as Madagascar or South Dakota. This shows the clarity though. I cut a piece of SD and have some tumbled Madagascar that are much pinker and as clear. Hogg can show a star through it (but not faceted). But there are 2 types found in the mine. That that breakes with straight lines rarely stars. The amorphous pieces will.

BTW, killer basket pendent for it.

 

[gsellis]

And rose quartz can get really interesting. I have a few more pieces similar to this. I call it Solar Flares. I had to free form this the moment I found it. Sits in my trophy case.

 

[missy]

Hi George, thank you for the info! Your pieces are beautiful! I am surprised by how much I love rose quartz and I never even heard of it a few months ago! When my necklace comes I am hoping it will be as pretty as it looks in the pictures because I would be very happy. And I also have my eye on another piece if it all works out.

 

[Rosebloom]

Saw this ring and thought it would be a beautiful compliment to your amazing pendant...

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-1-4875

 

[missy]

Saw this ring and thought it would be a beautiful compliment to your amazing pendant...

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-1-4875

Oh, it's gorgeous! Thank you Rosebloom! You enabler you!! I see Enerchi has some help now in that department haha.

ETA: For some reason I cannot find that page...I tried googling it too. Maybe Lang antiques website is down? I am dying to know the price of that ring..it is TDF! (as in my dh will kill me if I get it lol!) But still curious.