When you venture into the world of CS...

[lilmosun]

When I first came to PS, it opened a whole new world of CS for me...the variety of colors and types - I was like a kid in a candy stone buying mostly inexpensive small stones that sat in gem jars. Nicer stones got quickly set in inexpensive settings that I found pre-loved, in my jewelers scrap box, store closings, etc. Lots of practice pieces...some mistakes that didn't pass the time test but most I still wear today. I am now more comfortable spending more on settings and stones...although most of my pieces are still modest by PS standards (filling my need for variety on a limited budget). I lean towards tones that are vivid in color or have interesting properties (such a di/pleochroic or color change). My favorite stones include garnets (so many amazing colors!) as well as spinels (red, hot pink and cobalt blues), hauynes, kornerupines and green/blue tourmalines.

Love your stackers leslie1956. I have a lot of beautiful melee from Yvonne and maybe I'll follow your lead with any lots that don't get used in projects (can't resist buying when they pop up because it so hard to find when you need it). Her designs and color combinations make an impact using smaller stones and make up a good part of my collection.

 

[Acinom]

Being on PS made me more educated about coloured stones. It made me see stones in a different way.

I wanted a variety of vivid colours, but I have a huge preference for blues and greens. Colour has been my main priority and I love all shapes (though I have specifically searched for an Asscher shape).

Seeing gorgeous stones also led to mistakes as not all colours pop on my skintone. I have now learrned what colours are really ‘me’.

I only buy stones I want to set, which limits the number of stones I buy. A great stone deserves a great setting in my opinion so I have set low budget stones in expensive settings. Wish I could have posted more in the Fabulous below 1250$ thread as I find it very inspiring how budget savvy choices can be super fabulous and chique.,

Currently I am on a ban (though I have made an exception to create my Tribute rings) and enjoying the pieces I have.

 

[leslie1956]

When I first came to PS, it opened a whole new world of CS for me...the variety of colors and types - I was like a kid in a candy stone buying mostly inexpensive small stones that sat in gem jars. Nicer stones got quickly set in inexpensive settings that I found pre-loved, in my jewelers scrap box, store closings, etc. Lots of practice pieces...some mistakes that didn't pass the time test but most I still wear today. I am now more comfortable spending more on settings and stones...although most of my pieces are still modest by PS standards (filling my need for variety on a limited budget). I lean towards tones that are vivid in color or have interesting properties (such a di/pleochroic or color change). My favorite stones include garnets (so many amazing colors!) as well as spinels (red, hot pink and cobalt blues), hauynes, kornerupines and green/blue tourmalines.

Love your stackers leslie1956. I have a lot of beautiful melee from Yvonne and maybe I'll follow your lead with any lots that don't get used in projects (can't resist buying when they pop up because it so hard to find when you need it). Her designs and color combinations make an impact using smaller stones and make up a good part of my collection.

Thank you, lilmosun, you have a lovely collection from Yvonne, too! Your taste in stones is very similar to mine. Eternity rings are a great option if you have a more modest budget and/or smaller hands. With the exception of my thumb rings, all of my other bands were under $600 including the stones. It's a great way to use beautiful melee stones

 

[Rubybrick]

Being on PS made me more educated about coloured stones. It made me see stones in a different way.

I wanted a variety of vivid colours, but I have a huge preference for blues and greens. Colour has been my main priority and I love all shapes (though I have specifically searched for an Asscher shape).

Seeing gorgeous stones also led to mistakes as not all colours pop on my skintone. I have now learrned what colours are really ‘me’.

I only buy stones I want to set, which limits the number of stones I buy. A great stone deserves a great setting in my opinion so I have set low budget stones in expensive settings. Wish I could have posted more in the Fabulous below 1250$ thread as I find it very inspiring how budget savvy choices can be super fabulous and chique.,

Currently I am on a ban (though I have made an exception to create my Tribute rings) and enjoying the pieces I have.

I am with you on great settings and your tribute rings are lovely!