What would you do with 6 oval cabochon rubies?

[dk168]

They are about 1ct each, my mum bought them ages ago and decided it is time for me to have them after all these years.

Would love to make them into a piece that is convertible, that can be worn as a ring, a pendant, a brooch, as well as interchangeable pearl clasp that can take different strands. A flower design, the rubies will be petals each surrounded by diamond melee, with a diamond in the centre.

This way, I can get a lot of wear out of it. Any designer/goldsmith up for a challenge?

Or set in a bracelet with RB diamonds in between.

What would you do with them?

DK

 

[missy]

Ooh, how about a choker-rubies/diamonds spaced evenly as a ruby dbty choker necklace-that would be stunning and a statement piece! And then perhaps you can wear it as a bracelet if you doubl up the necklace when the mood strikes.

 

[dk168]

Unfortunately, I have a very thick and short neck, and choker will look dreadful on me.

Besides, the rubies will be too small around my neck and will look insignificant due to my size.

DK

 

[missy]

Unfortunately, I have a very thick and short neck, and choker will look dreadful on me.

Besides, the rubies will be too small around my neck and will look insignificant due to my size.

DK

Hmmm, do you have a local jeweler you can work with on this design? I am not sure who takes stones from their clients to design pieces so that might be your greatest challenge since it seems some of our PS vendors are no longer working with the clients stones. I recently had a ruby necklace made by Karen Wickman and she did a great job and she designs her own jewelry. I wonder if she would take a clients stones and design something special?
http://www.ebay.com/usr/18kdesignerinspired

I like your idea of a pendant that you can attach to a necklace or bracelet or wear as a brooch. Very versatile.

Good luck! I cannot wait to see what you decide on!

 

[dk168]

missy,

Thanks for the link, and I have saved it via eBay for future reference.

Don't hold your breathe though, as it will be a while before I get round to have this made, may be in time for my 60th Birthday in 2025!!!

DK

 

[JewelFreak]

DK, you have a mother to envy!

What is the size of the rubies? I like your idea of making them into a clasp for pearls (or anything else) that will morph into a brooch and/or a pendant. I've never heard, even in fancy royal jewels, of something that can be a ring too -- rings, perhaps, need to be more firmly fixed, as in soldered, because they get a little rougher treatment. So if you wanted a ring, it would probably not be convertible to anything else. They would also make a knockout DBTY bracelet -- maybe rubies alternated with diamonds?

Of all our listed vendors, Michael E. is the one I'd think might be able to handle what you're proposing -- & I have a feeling he'd like the challenge. Once you decide what you want, it wouldn't hurt to ask him.

Can you post photos of them?

--- Laurie

 

[dk168]

Based on memory, they are quite small, about 4mm x 3mm the most, as they are quite high. However, the colour is gorgeous.

I have not seen them for a while, however, I believe she is giving them to me when I see her next later in November, hopefully along with her ? 2ct RB that I have earmarked for another future project as part of another convertible clasp/pendant with changeable centre.

My mum has been kind to me, and I kick myself to this day for losing her 6-stone engagement ring (got thrown out by mistake and lost forever), and for losing the jade centre stone from one of her rings during a work related event (got too drunk to realise what had happened! ).

The inspiration of a convertible piece came from reading about convertible/multi-use tiaras, interchangeable pearl clasp design called Cliclasp: http://www.cliclasp.com/, and the Mikimoto Sash Clip Yaguruma (Wheels of Arrows) that I had the privilege in seeing in person at the V&A Museum recently, the Yaguruma sach clip by Mikimoto: http://www.mikimoto.co.uk/blog/pearls/pearls-exhibition-at-the-va. The Yaguruma is a truly amazing piece as it can be turned into 12 different pieces and comes with a big box with tools and different mountings.

Thanks for the recommendation of Michael E, and I shall bear him in mind when the time is right to get this made.

DK

 

[JewelFreak]

Oh my gawd, that Mikimoto scarf!!! I've never SEEN anything so smashing! Can you imagine wearing that to a ball? Holy cow. Also can you imagine the price for it? It takes my breath away.

If you look through the Royal Jewels thread on the Jewelry Pieces forum, you'll see tons of magnificent things that convert to other things (& still are worn today). Such a practical & beautiful way to do it.

Oh dear, I sympathize with your feeling guilty about losing stuff your mother gave you! I did too -- nothing quite so luscious, but I still mourn my youth at the time. Sometimes our parents have more faith in us than they should when we're too young to handle nice pieces. When I was in grade school my mother gave me a ring -- I was the 3rd generation to have it -- 3-stone opal, a blue opal flanked by 2 white ones. I still remember the delicate gold bezeling; it was beautifully made. Of course I lost it. Twice -- found it once, then for heaven's sake, lost it again forever. Still kick myself. Much later Mom gave me a diamond ring & when I decided to pass it on to my niece, making her the 5th woman, 4th generation, to wear it, I learned from my icky self -- waited till her college graduation to lay it on her.

Sounds like your mother is a jewelry afficionada -- yahoo! Waiting for pics when you get in the presence of the stones!

--- Laurie

 

[pregcurious]

My grandmother had a amethyst cabochon brooch that looked similar to this (except in white gold):

 

[Niel]

this might be too floral, but you could use them as a halo, but with them facing outward, like pedals, and maybe with a rose cut diamond in the middle? make a pendant or brooch

 

[dk168]

JewelFreak,

The Miki scarf was a bit OTT to my taste to be honest.

My mum gifted me my diamond studs when I was 14, however, she did not give them and other pieces to me until I was older and had a permanent roof over my head, which is understandable.

Niel,

That's what I have in mind, a flower with the rubies as petals.

A brooch that can be converted as a pendant is what I am leaning towards, as I don't have any serious brooches to speak of except my little Tahitian pearl bug, and it is a bit too small to make an impact when worn as a brooch.

Have to wait and see if she has remembered to bring them to HK where we shall meet later in November.

DK

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I think it would be possible to have it be worn both as a brooch and as a ring. Let me sketch it out.

However, the problem would be the difference in scale. A 16mm diameter ring is one big ring (a size 7 finger has a 17mm diameter, so you would get 100% finger coverage) but it would be a rather petite brooch.

 

[LD]

If they are 1ct ruby cabs then I'm assuming they aren't too big? If not, depending on the shape, they would make a fantastic 5 petal flower.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Please forgive the bad sketch!

You could use a double stem brooch fitting, with a retractable bail (which folds down behind the brooch). The ring would have two tubings on the top part. The pin stems would fit through and close. The fit would be important, so the ring won't wobble but the pin could still be closed to hold it in place. A trial run would certainly be in order, since the solid tubing may not be the best solution.

Note - this is in no way a solicitation. This is not the kind of work I do and I would turn this kind of commission down very, very fast!

 

[chrono]

However, the problem would be the difference in scale. A 16mm diameter ring is one big ring (a size 7 finger has a 17mm diameter, so you would get 100% finger coverage) but it would be a rather petite brooch.

This is my main concern; too large for a ring, too small for a brooch.

 

[dk168]

Wow!

Thanks Lady_Disdain for the sketch and ideas!!! The flower is what I have in mind for certain.

Chrono/Lady_Disdain,

I have very fat chunky fingers, Size 10 and increasing for my middle finger, therefore, a 16mm ring will not be out of place at all, as my finger is nearly 20mm in diameter!!!

However, I am leaning towards a pendant/clasp, as I already have 3 ruby rings that I can wear.

A brooch would be nice, however, I am concerned about the rubies may be too dark for them to be appreciated when I wear the brooch with a black outfit, even when they are surrounded by diamond melees. I can't remember seeing pics of the Queen wearing her ruby brooches on black outfits, she usually wears them on lighter colour clothes to provide a better contrast.

Need to find a way to have the 2ct or so RB set as the centre stone of the flower and make it removable, so that it can be used as a bale to hang pearl drops from it and worn as a grand pendant.

DK

 

[dk168]

Just a quick update: my mum forgot to bring the rubies and other stones to HK, boo hoo.

I shall remind her nearer the time in 2015 when I am scheduled to visit her again next.

DK

 

[velouriaL]

It might be too late, but I also wanted to recommend Scott of Two Claws - http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/
I have worked with most Scott and Michael E and both are awesome, know how to work with colored gems, and have great skills!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Just a quick update: my mum forgot to bring the rubies and other stones to HK, boo hoo.

I shall remind her nearer the time in 2015 when I am scheduled to visit her again next.

DK

You are going to have to wait over a year for your rubies?! Oh, no. That is what courier service, insured mail, etc, were invented for!

 

[chrono]

Ack! I'm sorry you didn't get the chance to bring the rubies back this time. Yes, a reminder before you meet again is a good idea. I'd be too nervous to send gemstones with strong sentimental value through the mail system, even if insured and tracked, and would rather wait a year to bring them back personally.

 

[JewelFreak]

What a shame! I was excited about your ideas. Well, this will give you time to refine them. The rubies will make such a stupendous pendant/brooch!

Velouria, I never heard of Scott Schreiber -- really nice work & design! I bookmarked him for future use. Glad to know about him. Looks like it may involve mucho dinero, however.

--- Laurie