A Shy BB Tourmaline

[babysteps]

This is my first tourmaline, I love her

It is also my first BB stone, what a delight he was to work with - he helped me decide between this stone and another I was considering, and I am glad that I chose this one as I really like both the color and the cut ( I am so at the bottom of the learning curve with colored stones - but I know what I like!) The specs are 3.31 ct, 8.7 mm square cushion, described by Barry as a medium to dark bluish/green. I will include his photo with mine for comparison on color - I said this one is shy since it didn''t like my camera! But after many false starts I got a couple. It does tend to go dark in direct sunlight (I was reading about this earlier in the week but I got lost somewhere on the "light absorbing c-axis" and never found my way back!) Anyway, thanks for letting me share!

First, the ACS photo:

 

[babysteps]

The best I could do for how it looks out of direct light:

 

[babysteps]

And one more:

 

[babysteps]

And one for size . . . Other than knowing I will set it in a ring, and will not bezel it/halo it so it does not darken, no real plan yet. (and no real $$$ yet to do it with, so that''s probably OK!

)

 

[T L]

Date: 2/12/2009 8:01:40 AM
Author:babysteps
This is my first tourmaline, I love her

It is also my first BB stone, what a delight he was to work with - he helped me decide between this stone and another I was considering, and I am glad that I chose this one as I really like both the color and the cut ( I am so at the bottom of the learning curve with colored stones - but I know what I like!) The specs are 3.31 ct, 8.7 mm square cushion, described by Barry as a medium to dark bluish/green. I will include his photo with mine for comparison on color - I said this one is shy since it didn''t like my camera! But after many false starts I got a couple. It does tend to go dark in direct sunlight (I was reading about this earlier in the week but I got lost somewhere on the ''light absorbing c-axis'' and never found my way back!) Anyway, thanks for letting me share!

First, the ACS photo:

HI BabySteps,
Very pretty tourmaline!! Some tourmalines have their main elongated axis that absorbs more incoming light, this is known as a closed c-axis, which is probably why it goes darker in sunlight. Typically the table of the stone is cut on the c-axis since this is usually (not always) the way you get the most weight from the rough. Some tourmaline have "open c-axis" and are brighter in sunlight.

 

[Kelli]

It''s stunning! I LOVE the color!

 

[ma re]

Date: 2/12/2009 8:07:01 AM
Author: babysteps
And one for size . . . Other than knowing I will set it in a ring, and will not bezel it/halo it so it does not darken, no real plan yet. (and no real $$$ yet to do it with, so that''s probably OK!

)

Due to the fact that the stone has quite enough blue and even a bit of grey, but also because of the darker tone, I wouldn''t set it in white gold. Which metals do you prefer? Any you don''t like? Yellow gold would probably make it more green.

Just to get you started

 

[Ellen]

That is seriously gorgeous.

 

[Catmom]

What a wonderful green color. It''s a gorgeous stone. Congratulations!

 

[mochi]

Love the color and cut. It''s very pretty!.

 

[FrekeChild]

What a beautiful stone! Seems like Barry has been getting a LOT of business from PSers lately!!!

 

[cellentani]

Wow, I love the color of that tourmaline, and your photos are great!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

What a beautiful color! I love Barry''s cushions - and in that color, your tourmaline is simply stunning!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Lovely stone!!

 

[Skippy123]

Wowzers, gorgeous stone, babysteps!!!! Love the color

 

[glitterata]

Just beautiful.

 

[loriken214]

AWESOME....WHAT A BEAUTY!!!!

Lori

 

[AmberGretchen]

That is a stunning tourmaline - love it

 

[chrono]

I like green stones with blue undertones and with that cut, it''s gorgeous.

 

[marcy]

Very pretty. I love the color.

 

[bling addict]

Beautiful stone! What are your plans for it?

 

[babysteps]

Hi, a big thank you to everyone for the nice thoughts on my stone!

Tourmaline-lover, thank you for the explanation - I have learned a lot from your posts on the forum! Mr. Ma Re, thanks for the thoughts on metals - am leaning towards yellow gold for a ring and that''s about all I know right now. There have been so many beautiful colored stone additions this month, I am off to ogle everyone''s stones.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Beautiful, I love the color, cut, and sparkle. It has it all.

 

[babysteps]

^^ Thanks LtlFirecracker! A beautiful tsav like yours is on my ''hopefully, someday'' list but this will fill my need for green for the time being! (Have you decided how to set your ring?)