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Fun with fossils: belemnite!

Daisys and Diamonds

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Apr 30, 2019
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22,511
They are millions of years old (these particular ones), so I'm not worried about crazing or drying. But yes, I know they are soft and agree I'd have to be careful. I think if I were going to put anything on layaway, it would be this gorgeous piece.


The piece has a baby brother (or sister?) that is in budget, but it's not as perfect.


Also, here's an example of some jewelry:

Opal_pendant-84.jpg

dc8e22ea6817e577eb47d8944b42ac89.jpg

6007120dce4bc2502e26ee2d35f20401.jpg
that us positively stunning
 

LemonMoonLex

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 13, 2018
Messages
2,061
wow, I think I found one!

015 [1280x768].JPG

011 [1280x768].JPG

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Video:

What do all of the opal experts think? It is about 9ct


I honestly think that this one is perfect for you! The shape would be stunning in a pendant with yellow gold!!!!
The octopus design would be gorgeous but I'm sure that pendant/bale design would cost a pretty penny.
So SO cool that youre doing this!!
 

Bluegemz

Ideal_Rock
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Omg!! Stunning!!
 

voce

Ideal_Rock
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May 13, 2018
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Your latest find is FA-BU-LOUS! Nice shape and almost unbelievable color play! I'd want to get it certified just so I know it's not fake. (I can't believe what I'm seeing, so I start having this irrational fear it's not real.)
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Jul 31, 2014
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18,029
Yay, it's going to be mine!!! No clue how to set it (other than knowing it will be a pendant), and it's pricey so I need to save a bit for setting. Any ideas are welcome!!!
 

prs

Brilliant_Rock
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Dec 26, 2017
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1,883
Yay, it's going to be mine!!! No clue how to set it (other than knowing it will be a pendant), and it's pricey so I need to save a bit for setting. Any ideas are welcome!!!
Gorgeous piece! If you are thinking of setting it vertically, preventing rollover might be a consideration in your design.
 

voce

Ideal_Rock
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May 13, 2018
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I can imagine a butterfly or dragonfly design, where the belemnite is the iridescent insect body, and delicate wings extend out but frame the belemnite.
 

voce

Ideal_Rock
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Another idea that references how the belemnite originated is to use gold "coming out" of the tube shaped like a head and tentacles, some of which could curl under the belemnite to help secure it. I liked this image:
upload_2019-5-24_11-49-35.jpeg
 

arkieb1

Ideal_Rock
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May 11, 2012
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My father in law used to have a Aussie opal Lightening Ridge snake fossil that was very cool.... I dunno if he still has it or if he sold it.
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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It's landed in the USA and is currently in LA. Supposed to arrive tomorrow!!! EEEEEEK!
 

2Neezers

Brilliant_Rock
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It’s beautiful!!!:love: I can’t wait to see how you set it!
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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It’s beautiful!!!:love: I can’t wait to see how you set it!
I'm so confused about how to set it!! Anyone have ideas? I kind of want a delicate halo but no idea how to make that work or what style?
 

lissyflo

Brilliant_Rock
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F88D725B-31E3-497A-BB41-D9B7ABF16955.jpeg
I love it! So interesting. How about something along these lines, if you’re thinking simple, with really rich high carat gold? This one’s a Victorian shark tooth from The One I Love nyc. (I’m not sure if someone’s already posted this setting here or if I remember seeing it on IG before - apologies if it’s a duplicate!). Easy/West could be stunning though as it’s a great length!
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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F88D725B-31E3-497A-BB41-D9B7ABF16955.jpeg
I love it! So interesting. How about something along these lines, if you’re thinking simple, with really rich high carat gold? This one’s a Victorian shark tooth from The One I Love nyc. (I’m not sure if someone’s already posted this setting here or if I remember seeing it on IG before - apologies if it’s a duplicate!).
There's something about that I don't love. I want diamonds involved in the design for sure. Can anyone draw a pretty picture for me trying to figure out what it could look like with a halo?
 

2Neezers

Brilliant_Rock
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This is not a belemnite, but the opal is somewhat similar in shape, so hopefully it will give you an idea of what yours could look like with a halo. A good jeweler would have to know how to make the halo work with the rounded shape of your opal.
38E626FE-9F22-4976-B206-6265B6F9B19B.jpeg
 

Rfisher

Ideal_Rock
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Oct 19, 2013
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You_Doodle_2019-05-29T20_30_51Z.jpg You_Doodle_2019-05-29T20_44_57Z.jpg You_Doodle_2019-05-29T20_58_08Z.png You_Doodle_2019-05-29T21_13_47Z.jpg These are really mediocre attempts, and some different styles.
 

JPie

Ideal_Rock
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Feb 12, 2018
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You could play with the asymmetry of the piece through the use of negative space.

upload_2019-5-29_16-1-30.png
upload_2019-5-29_16-7-10.png
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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You_Doodle_2019-05-29T20_30_51Z.jpg You_Doodle_2019-05-29T20_44_57Z.jpg You_Doodle_2019-05-29T20_58_08Z.png You_Doodle_2019-05-29T21_13_47Z.jpg These are really mediocre attempts, and some different styles.
This is awesome!!! Thanks so much! I love the one with different sized stones. I want kyo to do it but I am terrified of sending this amazing piece to China.
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Sunshinelab

Shiny_Rock
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Oct 24, 2018
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:kiss2: Absolutely gorgeous!!! I can’t wait to see how you set it.
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Leaning towards one of these options Screenshot_20190529-234007_Instagram.jpg Screenshot_20190530-075829_Chrome.jpg Screenshot_20190530-075851_Chrome.jpg Screenshot_20190530-080116_Chrome.jpg Screenshot_20190530-075904_Chrome.jpg

Im torn on whether I want a bale vs having it connect to a chain on both the left and right. I think having it connect in 2 places will help make sure it doesn't turn over while I wear it. But having a bale means I can wear it with different chains.
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Thanks to the magic of powerpoint and a late start at work today, I quickly made these. What do people think about the shapes, bale vs no bale, and bezel + halo vs. just halo alone?
belemnite3.jpg

belemnite2.jpg


belemnite1.jpg


edit. The first one wouldn't be such a "sharp" kite shape on the sides, since obviously the belemnite doesn't have the corners. But it would come to a sharp point at the bottom vs the other ones that are softer.
 

JPie

Ideal_Rock
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I like the first one. The bail fits with the overall design.
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Ok more powerpoint editing that combines 1 and 3 together (kind of), vs a more realistic idea of #1.




belemnite4.jpg


belemnite5.jpg
 

Candice

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
182
Thanks to the magic of powerpoint and a late start at work today, I quickly made these. What do people think about the shapes, bale vs no bale, and bezel + halo vs. just halo alone?
belemnite3.jpg

belemnite2.jpg


belemnite1.jpg


edit. The first one wouldn't be such a "sharp" kite shape on the sides, since obviously the belemnite doesn't have the corners. But it would come to a sharp point at the bottom vs the other ones that are softer.
I like the first one and 2nd option. I don;t comment often but I follow the threads and I have to say your opal is to die for! I cannot wait to see the finished product!!
 
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