What to do with a baby grandidierite?

[Mjay]

I really am amazingly lucky to live here. If I was in the U.K. it simply wouldn’t be possible for me to pursue my hobby the way I do. I’d have the opportunity to collect vintage and estate pieces (at a high cost!) but custom work to my own specs can’t be done there or would take months and cost a fortune.

My jewellers bench is ten meters away from his store with some incredibly talented guys. But the cost of labour is so minimal.

This setting cost me $1,800 - which is almost three times what I usually pay given the diamonds in it. My last custom three stone setting in 18K set me back $400, all in.

I can literally come up with any sketch I can imagine on the back if an envelope and they will make it in a couple of weeks. I’m limited only by my own design inexperience and lack of real creativity. If you had a proper talent for it the sky is the limit.

But I love the stones more than the pieces of jewellery - my drive to collect is definitely focussed on the gems themselves.

Omg you lucky duck! That sounds amazing! What a fantastic opportunity to express your creativity! You did a fantastic job on this piece

 

[Ionysis]

Now I’m craving the matching earrings….

My tiny paraibas will work for an understated look.



But I feel a growing conviction that a pair of apatite and minuscule grandidierite dangles might appear on the horizon before the year end….