The start of my collection...

[Largosmom]

Hi, I''m working on photos of my new stones, so here are some to share:

First the pair of "Yin/Yang cut" amethysts from Gary Braun of Finewatergems.

They are not as dark as they seem by some of these photos...I can see flashes of blue and magenta in the stones IRL. The cut just amazes me!

 

[Largosmom]

Side view and my favorite picture of them so far, see all the little steps? How did he get the rounded part?

 

[Largosmom]

Couple more shots

 

[Largosmom]

ditto

 

[Largosmom]

Last one.

 

[Largosmom]

Now, the dark orange/red Spessartite Garnet heart from Dana at Mastercut gems:

 

[Largosmom]

Last one of this one

 

[Largosmom]

Now, the Pink Spinel from Dana at Mastercutgems

This one was hard to photograph clearly...my point and shoot battery ran out, and I don''t have a good macro on my bigger camera. May try my zoom lens and see if that helps.

 

[Largosmom]

I can see flashes of pink, purple or blue, and orange in this stone. It''s just lovely...it''s the one labeled "Morogoro" spinel on his "sold" page.

 

[Largosmom]

Sorry about the fingerprints, I need to figure out how to clean these stones properly. The polish and cut is very nice...my fingerprints make it look smudgy when it isn''t.

 

[Largosmom]

Last one of the pink spinel until I can get something clearer.

I have a lavender spinel to take pictures of and a little sphene that I know will be tough to shoot.

My lighting is "daylight" fluorescent and I did have to adjust the color on the photos to correct for all the blue reflection from the paint and curtains in my bedroom.

Laura

 

[SB621]

very nice collection. I love the stones from gary....he has a wonderful cutting technique.

 

[mochi]

What a beautiful start of your collection. I love all of your stones, but expecially the amethyst.

 

[Arcadian]

Looks fabulous! I had wondered about that spinel some time ago but always figured it would have been too light for me (it is). It will make a really lovely piece.

The amethyst are right up my alley!!

They look fantastic!

Earrings or pendant?


-A

 

[Largosmom]

Earrings definitely on the amethyst...some sort of dangle rather than post as they are 8mm, so a bit large for my ears. On the pink spinel, I have been drooling over Frekechild's ring with the little rose pink hydrangea petals on it. I would love to make something in that line for my sister, who loves pastels.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

So pretty! I love those amethysts!

 

[marcy]

Great collection! What a fun start of your collection.

 

[chrono]

My favourite are the amethysts too, not just for the cutting but the colour too. Can you see the special cutting from an arm''s length away? I especially like the close up where they remind me of desert sand dunes. What a good idea to set the pink spinel in the hydrangea setting; I love the detailing that was done.

 

[T L]

What a fun start to your collection. I like the cutting on the amethysts, it''s fascinating to look at.

 

[Hest88]

Lovely! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Largosmom]

Thanks everyone, the amethysts are my favorites for now too.

You can see the little steps in the stones from a fair distance, not as much the "yin/yang" bends. It looks little little "fan" shapes almost. If you catch them at an angle, you can see the bends on the upper surface much better. Sorry, I''m still learning the proper terms for the different parts of the stone and don''t know what to call the top (bezel?) The "table" is formed from the curves of the yin/yang shape. The polish is amazing on them too.

laura

 

[princessplease]

What lovely stones to start with!!!

 

[haagen_dazs]

the yin yang cutting is neat!

 

[ma re]

Really nice stones! Have fun

 

[Lovinggems]

A great start, and the amethysts are very cool!

 

[gingersnap]

Those amethysts are really amazing! Never seen a cut like that.

I''m not one for pink, but that pink spinel (I have no idea how "spinel" is supposed to be pronounced... it''s oddly irritating. Is it "Spin-el" or "Spine - el"?) is quite enchanting.

Beautiful collection

 

[Largosmom]

You folks are great to share with, thanks for your kind comments! Between these and my e-ring stone from Jeff White, I''ll be grinning for days!

Laura

 

[Kismet]

Those amethysts are awesome. I can''t wait to see them set.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Those amethysts are a pair of knock-outs! You have a lovely collection!

 

[Largosmom]

Couple more photos of the rest of my little collection:

Lavender Spinel from Dana at Mastercutgems,

It''s much lighter in person not sure why it'' shows up darker in the photos. It is pretty clean to the naked eye, but it''s got a small rutile needle on one side and some other little bubbles and things you can see in the photos or on the loupe. I got a new point and shoot camera and it takes nice macros, yay! This one is really fun to loupe.