#GemstoneMisfits
Spot the bug in the amber!
Continuing with yesterday`s #GemstoneMisfit theme of "additional things found in the gemstone"...
This time not a rutilation but a rather unfortunate fly who, while buzzing around some prehistoric forest, managed to get himself into a very, very sticky situation.
Having said that, immortalised and frozen in time, he’s not looking too bad for 90 million years old!
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#GemstoneMisfits
A fascinating category of #GemstoneMisfits can be simply summarised as "additional things found in the gemstone".
Many gemstones have inclusions - feathers, spots and fractures - but these are not the inclusions of which I speak today!
Pictured is a beautiful emerald cut Rutile Smoky Quartz. The golden yellow rutile inclusions in this stone look like fine strands of gold.
These rutillations aren`t gold but actually needle-like veins of Titianium Dioxide that spike through the gemstone as it is being formed.
Generally speaking, inclusions in a gemstone are not considered to be a good thing, but rutiles are a #GemstoneMisfit exception to this rule - with every rutillated gemstone being as unique as a fingerprint.
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#GemstoneMisfits
Today`s #GemstoneMisfit is another Prasiolite - but unlike yesterday`s little asymmetrical cut gems, this one is a perfect Oval Cut and, a whopping 51.04ct. to boot!
Colloquially known as Green Amethyst, I love working with Prasiolite as the soft green of this gemstone compliments everyone.
But again, my main quandary: How should I set this massive #GemstoneMisfit - ring or pendant?
Let me know in the comments below!
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#GemstoneMisfits
"Judge me by my size, do you?"
- Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back
These asymmetrical cut Prasiolite gemstones may not be the largest in my collection but their rough hewn shape, complemented by some topnotch chequerboard faceting, certainly makes them a very interesting #GemstoneMisfit.
And rather like the pointy-eared sage in Star Wars, they are even a Yoda-like green.
Prasiolite is colloquially known as Green Amethyst.
I fell in love with these gorgeous stones as soon as I set eyes on them - but am not sure whether they will stay together to become a very interesting pair of asymmetrical drop earrings - or will be separated to create two Prasiolite pendants.
Why "Prasiolite"?
We`ll need to pull out our Classical Greek dictionary to discover the origin of this gemological name.
Prasiolite is derived from the Greek `prason`, meaning leek and `lithos`, which means stone.
But whether you think of Prasiolite as "leek green" or "Yoda green" - when you`re wearing these rough cut stunners, the Force will most definitely be with you!
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#GemstoneMisfits
Smoky Quartz, in my opinion, falls into a very specific #GemstoneMisfit category.
That category, we`ll call "so usual as to be totally overlooked".
You see, because of their widespread availability Smoky Quartz is, underservedly, a very underrated gemstone.
However, put a great cut on a really good piece of rough and you can create a truly spectacular Smoky Quartz showstopper - like today`s 16.63ct Concave Pear Cut Smoky Quartz (pictured).
Whether as an over sized dress ring or pendant, this 20 x 14mm rock is guaranteed to turn heads.
To close, a fun fact about Smoky Quartz.
In the Song Dynasty (12th Century) China thin, flat plates of Smoky Quartz were used to shield the eyes from the glare of the sun - making them the first ever sunglasses.
Having said that, please don`t be tempted to swap out your Ray Bans for a lump of Smoky Quartz as, unknown to the ancient Chinese, Smoky Quartz doesn`t offer any UV protection to the eyes against the harmful rays of the sun!
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#GemstoneMisfits
In August of last year, I shared some of the gemstones that reside in a box simply marked "Gemstone Misfits".
Being somewhat of a misfit myself, I have a very deep affection for these gems.
Some are interestingly included, some are asymmetical (never say misshapen), some have very interesting colouration or cuts, some are extraordinarily large, others are.... well... just different.
So to close out January 2026, lets continue our studio safari into the weird and wonderful world of gems found in my #GemstoneMisfits box.
When a client views gemstones in the studio, they can be nervous about making their final selection.
I always advise them that there`s no need to worry - simply relax and enjoy the beauty of the gems and one of them will simply "speak" to you.
I`m often initially met with a very puzzled look from my clients - but even the most skeptical of gentlemen selecting a diamond for their fiancée-to-be`s engagement ring quickly finds one or two gemstones that really are "talking" to them, making their selection far easier than they, at first, feared.
Today`s #GemstoneMisfit is, quite literally, a pretty little princess who certainly has a lot to say for herself.
A Princess Cut, to be exact.
And a rather gorgeous Ametrine - a magical mix of Amethyst and Citrine.
Like most Princesses, she demands attention and doesn`t hesitate to speak her mind whenever the mood takes her.
When preparing this post, she simply refused to pose for a stills photograph as, she said, I`d never capture her best side.
This pretty but petulant princess demanded to perform a perfect pirouette, so that you could appreciate just how truly stunning she is.
Your wish is my command...
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring.
To say that my client adores her engagement ring would be somewhat of an understatement!
I was thrilled to receive this photo, taken by my client of her engagement ring placed within a red rose, along with the very kind message shown in the image.
I always love stories that end with "happy ever after".
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring.
From heirloom piece to dream engagement ring!
If you would like to explore the possibility of making this magic happen to pieces of jewellery in your collection that you no longer wear, please do get in touch.
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring
Redesigning, restyling or upcycling is a wonderful way to give new life to old jewellery that you no longer wear.
This graceful garnet and diamond trilogy 18k gold engagement ring and matching 18k gold band, was the gift of a mother`s ring to her daughter, to design her dream engagement ring. This generous gesture created a new future heirloom piece of fine jewellery- to be worn and adored by a loving daughter.
And why did my client chose a beautiful rhodolite garnet for her centre stone?
Quite simply because it is the birthstone of her own daughter who will, one day, doubtless inherit this timeless ring.
By upcycling and redesigning an existing heirloom piece, the history and legacy of this piece looks certain to continue.
I am proud and honoured to have played a part in the story of this beautiful fine jewellery and in the lives of those it touches.
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring.
One ring becomes two!
The original heirloom ring so generously gifted to my client by her mother, was a very substantial gold ring.
Not only could the two diamonds in the original ring be repurposed into the new trilogy engagement ring design - but there was sufficient additional gold remaining from the original ring to also create a matching 18k gold wedding band for my client.
In total, these two new rings weighed in at just under 10 grams of 18k gold.
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring.
Setting work is complete and this is the first chance to see just how stunning this very pretty three stone ring will be - once I have given the piece a final polish.
Do check back with me on Monday to see the final result!
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring.
This classic trilogy ring features a beautiful 1.10ct Rhodolite Garnet as the centre stone with the two accent diamonds coming from the original ring my client brought to me to upcycle into her new commission.
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring.
Here, goldsmithing is complete for my client`s new three stone engagement ring.
Picture Two: The mount is securely soldered to the band.
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring.
Using client supplied gold for a bespoke commission is an excellent way to reduce the cost of your commission.
Many people have jewellery pieces they no longer wear - and what could be better than upcycling your old gold jewellery by creating a stunning new commission?
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The Graceful Garnet Engagement Ring.
This substantial 18k yellow gold and diamond ring was given to my client by her mother with a view to her using the precious metal and diamonds in a stunning, newly commissioned engagement ring.
During her design consultation, my client was almost immediately drawn to a classic trilogy style engagement ring - and with final design signed off, it was time to get busy in the studio
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Celebrate your special day with the warmth and passion of garnet, January`s birthstone gem that symbolizes love and constancy.
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to all January babies!
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