White gems...

[Indylady]

I know a couple of PS''ers (Freke, Mochi, and Lori come to mind) have white topazes, and others have white sapphires (I remember a gorgeous white sapphire EC e-ring) or danburite. How did you set your white gems?

I want a white gem, but I''m somewhat concerned it might be taken to be a diamond or a diamond substitute. I''d want my gem to be taken as a gem. I don''t think there''s a way to guard against confusion. I suppose I''m especially "concerned" because I''m not married, and wouldn''t want a white gem set in a ring to suggest that its an engagement ring. Some of my friends come from cultures where the ring is worn on the right hand, adding to the possibility of confusion.

 

[cellentani]

How about a pendant? I have a ginormous white topaz that I''d like to set that way.

 

[Indylady]

Oops Cell I meant to mention you in my original post! I know you have a quite a few beautiful white topazes from Bob Kast. Will you set them all? Maybe a set?

 

[VapidLapid]

Hmm.
moonstone
sillimanite
sinhalite
chrysoberyl (colorless of course, thegemtrader has one)
goshenite
how about a white sapphire with just a tinge at one corner or side, like swala and wildfish currently have. Actually I think the 2 blue tinged white sapphires at swala would make fantastic side stones to a larger all white sapphire and the bleeding blue sides would inhibit the tendency to read as an e-ring
I think Iolite and Tanzanite both come in colorless
Tourmaline
One way to maybe reduce the e-ring perception would be for the white stone to be a longish emerald cut and east-west mount. Or a thick marquise (not long and thin, a real bulgy one) also east-west.
scapolite
celestite, some of these obscure rare collector stones have higher RI or a softness like moonstone or a pale tinge that just looks like time passing

This moonstone ring might be nice

 

[VapidLapid]

o yes Danburite as you mentioned. I think everyone should have at least one of them before they catch on. Though I do prefer the pale straw colored ones, maybe one of each.

 

[winternight]

How do you feel about a middle finger ring? I think depending on the setting it won''t look like an engagement ring. Maybe you could even have colored accent stones? I love white and pale gems myself. I also love the pendant idea.

 

[Indylady]

Date: 4/16/2010 9:03:34 PM
Author: VapidLapid


how about a white sapphire with just a tinge at one corner or side, like swala and wildfish currently have. Actually I think the 2 blue tinged white sapphires at swala would make fantastic side stones to a larger all white sapphire and the bleeding blue sides would inhibit the tendency to read as an e-ring

Very interesting idea! I''m off to check out these stones.

 

[DistinctionJewelry]

They make great earrings!

 

[loriken214]

Hi IL!

I have a BB Silver Topaz and it isn''t set yet. This little gem is super sparkly and I have no idea what to do with it.

Lori

 

[Indylady]

I remember your thread about this one! I was wondering how/whether you had set it. Its gorgeous. I wonder if Barry will have any more soon.

 

[Burberrygirl]

My first loose gemstone was a large pear shaped white topaz that my parents allowed me to have set for one of my birthdays (I think I was about 12 or 13). I had it set into a white gold pendant. It''s not the most expensive necklace I have but I still wear it sometimes and I always get compliments on it. I''ll see if I can dig up a picture...

Loriken, I have a BB silver topaz too. I haven''t set mine yet either but it is super sparkly. I think it might end up in a pendant or as a stack ring.

 

[Burberrygirl]

I found a pic...
It's not the prettiest stone but it is fun to wear

 

[ma re]

Just make sure it''s 20 cts or more, that should make it clear (unless you''re Liz Taylor or the queen of England) that it''s not a diamond

 

[cellentani]

Date: 4/16/2010 8:03:06 PM
Author: IndyLady
Oops Cell I meant to mention you in my original post! I know you have a quite a few beautiful white topazes from Bob Kast. Will you set them all? Maybe a set?

Actually, I only have one white topaz from Bob, a cushion. I also have a large round topaz and 15 very sparkly 4mm rounds from gemline that I thought of setting in a necklace or pendant. I have zero photoshop skills, but just imagine the small rounds bezeled and milgrained along a chain, and the large white topaz prong set. I like the rubellite in there for some contrast.

 

[cellentani]

I could also use just the center portion to make a drop pendant on a simple chain - not sure if I''d bezel and milgrain the small rounds, or prong set them.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/17/2010 10:35:25 AM
Author: cellentani
I could also use just the center portion to make a drop pendant on a simple chain - not sure if I''d bezel and milgrain the small rounds, or prong set them.

I like this pendant idea, cellentani. So pretty. Actually, you can do both the pendant and the chain. Make the center pendant now, and make the fancy chain later. The chain could be used with other pendants. The trick is to think about the bail and either make it fairly large or have it be a removable design. A simple example from Stuller. Link

 

[ma re]

Date: 4/17/2010 10:35:25 AM
Author: cellentani
I could also use just the center portion to make a drop pendant on a simple chain - not sure if I'd bezel and milgrain the small rounds, or prong set them.

Instead of a classic drop pendant, how about making that part detachable, for more versatility?

 

[cellentani]

Date: 4/17/2010 10:45:06 AM
Author: Fly Girl
I like this pendant idea, cellentani. So pretty. Actually, you can do both the pendant and the chain. Make the center pendant now, and make the fancy chain later. The chain could be used with other pendants. The trick is to think about the bail and either make it fairly large or have it be a removable design. A simple example from Stuller. Link

I like the bale idea, Fly Girl. Have you used that particular design before? I''m curious to know if it sits nicely - sometimes the latch on the back of enhancers will prevent it from sitting flat.

When I was in NYC last week, I asked a jeweler in the district about setting all the 4mm topazes, and the cost of labor made it pretty ridiculous. I''d be better off finding a ready-made, by-the-yard piece. I kind of expected that though.

 

[cellentani]

Date: 4/17/2010 10:57:18 AM
Author: ma re

Date: 4/17/2010 10:35:25 AM
Author: cellentani
I could also use just the center portion to make a drop pendant on a simple chain - not sure if I''d bezel and milgrain the small rounds, or prong set them.

Instead of a classic drop pendant, how about making that part detachable, for more versatility?

Haha, you and Fly Girl are in each other''s brains this morning! Nice!

 

[cellentani]

Here's how I wanted to set the cushion white topaz from Bob Kast. It has a touch of blue in it, so i thought it would look good with blue sapphs. Same jeweler didn't think it was advisable to modify the band (didn't think it would turn out as delicate as I wanted), so it's back to the drawing board for that one. In general though, I like white topaz paired with other colored gems - they look more like a gemstone, and less like a diamond wanna-be.

 

[chictomato]

hi there just to share my white topaz set in 926 silver with WG plating those are 4 little dark blue sapphire accents. It was a little gift to my mom.

 

[PumpkinPie]

I love the moonstone VapidLapid! very pretty

 

[Indylady]

Burberrygirl, I like your topaz pendant!

Cell, your topazes are very pretty. I like the idea of setting your cushion with sapphires, and the pendant with a rubellite. I wouldn''t have expected it, but that rubellite ties it all together!

Flygirl and Ma Re, your setting/gem advice is always invaluable.

Chic, what a lovely ring for your mother!

 

[Upgradable]

Granted this is a Leon (and a cabachon), but I think a white stone would be lovely with a tiny colored stone halo like this one.

 

[enbcfsobe]

i got a nice sized danburite cushion that i set as a pendant (see my thread here). i don''t think anyone thinks it is a diamond or trying to be one. i personally wouldn''t have put it in a ring because DH might feel like it was overshadowing my wedding set, but if you don''t wear a wedding set i think it would make a great RHR. the worst that happens is people ask and you tell them its just your gift to yourself

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 4/17/2010 10:58:57 AM
Author: cellentani

Date: 4/17/2010 10:45:06 AM
Author: Fly Girl
I like this pendant idea, cellentani. So pretty. Actually, you can do both the pendant and the chain. Make the center pendant now, and make the fancy chain later. The chain could be used with other pendants. The trick is to think about the bail and either make it fairly large or have it be a removable design. A simple example from Stuller. Link

I like the bale idea, Fly Girl. Have you used that particular design before? I''m curious to know if it sits nicely - sometimes the latch on the back of enhancers will prevent it from sitting flat.

No, I haven''t used this particular design. Sorry to hear the gems by the yard idea was so expensive. I was kind of expecting that too, but thanks for letting us know.

Sounds like a fun project, Indy. I have to agree with ma ra about how to prevent a white stone from being mistaken for a diamond. Go big.

 

[heliotrope]

I too struggled with the idea that a clear or white gem could be mistaken for a diamond substitute

so I decided to go big - and am in the process of getting this one set as a right hand ring for my index finger

being a 7.97ct goshenite - it''s so huge that no one will mistake it for a diamond

there are plenty of cheap fashion (non gem rings around) that could have created this look cheaply - but I want a more refined option that I can wear with my other gemstone rings

 

[FrekeChild]

I think the best way to make people think it's not a diamond is size. My topazes are 7.4 and 4.4ish carats and gigantor. Who knows, maybe people do think they are diamonds, but whateva!

 

[Indylady]

What do you all think of this goshenite? Link to Dan here

 

[Stone Hunter]

Date: 4/17/2010 10:58:57 AM
Author: cellentani

Date: 4/17/2010 10:45:06 AM
Author: Fly Girl
I like this pendant idea, cellentani. So pretty. Actually, you can do both the pendant and the chain. Make the center pendant now, and make the fancy chain later. The chain could be used with other pendants. The trick is to think about the bail and either make it fairly large or have it be a removable design. A simple example from Stuller. Link

I like the bale idea, Fly Girl. Have you used that particular design before? I'm curious to know if it sits nicely - sometimes the latch on the back of enhancers will prevent it from sitting flat.

When I was in NYC last week, I asked a jeweler in the district about setting all the 4mm topazes, and the cost of labor made it pretty ridiculous. I'd be better off finding a ready-made, by-the-yard piece. I kind of expected that though.

Oh that's what I was afraid of!!! Drats.

ETA: I do love everyone's white stones! TFS!!