Blackened Gold?

[KR]

Hi All!

I have fallen in love with how blackened gold can really showcase the color of colored stones.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a jeweler who can do blackened gold alloy?

Jewelers have told me so far that they do not recommend black rhodium plate because it wears off very easily--so easily that you can even take it off with your fingernail.

I would be looking to do a blackened gold pave halo. So I would be looking for a goldsmith who has a formula for blackened gold that can withstand delicate pave being set into it. I *think* I have heard it's a silver/gold alloy and that the silver in the gold is then tarnished to get the black look? I am not entirely sure.

What I had in mind were JAR New York or IVY New York inspired type designs.

Thanks!

 

[Rosebloom]

Single Stone does beautiful work in blackened gold. I imagine Victor Canera or Steve Kirsch may have experience using it too and their pave work is similar to JAR. All of these are $$$$ though.

 

[Rosebloom]

Was just browsing Pinterest and saw that Martin Katz has some beautiful blackened gold micropave bands.

 

[aprilzephyr]

Leon Mege does it - I think he advertises it as "antiqued" gold - though it looks like he also does antiqued palladium... I've been admiring his paraiba settings lately. Btw, is there a reason why LM is hardly mentioned these days on PS? I must've missed this change... On a related note, not to put tarnish anyone's reputation but I had recommended SK to my brother based on PS raves a few months ago, but unfortunately he felt SK was quite rude and dismissive towards him. I was embarrassed that my brother had to go through that, esp because I had such a great experience approaching many PS vendors for quotes, etc.

23rd St Jewelers should be able to do it too. Most of Sutra's current collection uses blackened gold: http://sutrajewels.com/portfolio/emerald-ring/

Here are examples of LM's blackened gold from his website.
https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/shop-now/cabochon-blue-tourmaline-halo-ring-detail
http://www.micropave.com/index.php/couture/artisan-ring.html
http://www.micropave.com/index.php/couture/r5798-galaxytm-paraiba-cab-with-micro-pave-and-black-sapphires-ring-by-leon-mege.html

 

[chrono]

There are many threads in RT about Leon's condescending, dismissive and rude treatment of his customers, hence he is less recommended over time.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-months-of-bad-service-and-the-5-13-carat-pear.194738/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-mege-months-of-bad-service-and-the-5-13-carat-pear.194738/[/URL]

 

[aprilzephyr]

That's a shame - thank you for the link, Chrono - I hardly peruse RT.

 

[aprilzephyr]

I finally was able to read the thread in its entirety - wow. I am very disappointed!

 

[KR]

I just read that thread last night too. WOW! I'm blown away!

Anyway, thank you all for your suggestions!

I don't know why I didn't think to contact SK first, he's actually my go-to for my high end projects.

We talked, and he can do it!

I'm incredibly excited!!!