Big Bad Brooch Project

[Mrsz1ppy]

As some of you know, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer this summer, and it’s a big adjustment. I’m starting to get my head wrapped around it, and live my life as much as possible. However chemo brain is real!

I have long admired/coveted @Neptune‘s brooch conversion bracelet, although it is of course OOAK like @Neptune. It is quite the inspiration, though I don’t want to copy it exactly. Hope she doesn’t mind providing inspo!

When I saw this brooch pop up on Dolly’s IG, I slobbered then pounced. It’s now at DK’s and his first comment is that it’s quite large, and going to be difficult to safely bend.

I am going to ask about pulling the stones and remounting after bending. Does anyone have a better idea? I really want to rock a bold cuff.

 

[Rfisher]

Gorgeous.

removing the stones then bending made sense to me -
until I saw those calibre and how they are set.

will you lose the delicate ness of both the calibre setting and the cut out filigree shapings, after the bend and resetting and whatever that entails for the calibre ‘channels’?

will the curve for a bangle be at a continuous radius, or be varied? If it’s varied - how does that effect the overall look of (again) the calibre and the cut out filigree shapes?

No solution ideas, sorry to say.

 

[Mreader]

OMG you bought that. Wowzers!! DK said it going to be difficult; did he say impossible?

I also don't have a solution But man is that thing blingtastic...

 

[Leigh10]

First of all - I hope you make a complete and speedy recovery.
Second - the brooch is FABULOUS! And a BOLD BLING cuff sounds perfect...
Thought to consider... don't try to bend it or set it horizontal. Set it vertical with a tapering/narrowing cuff (like the Wonder Woman you are beating cancer!)

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Gorgeous.

removing the stones then bending made sense to me -
until I saw those calibre and how they are set.

will you lose the delicate ness of both the calibre setting and the cut out filigree shapings, after the bend and resetting and whatever that entails for the calibre ‘channels’?

will the curve for a bangle be at a continuous radius, or be varied? If it’s varied - how does that effect the overall look of (again) the calibre and the cut out filigree shapes?

No solution ideas, sorry to say.

Thanks, @Rfisher Always value your input.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

First of all - I hope you make a complete and speedy recovery.
Second - the brooch is FABULOUS! And a BOLD BLING cuff sounds perfect...
Thought to consider... don't try to bend it or set it horizontal. Set it vertical with a tapering/narrowing cuff (like the Wonder Woman you are beating cancer!)

That could work! It’s 4” long. Great idea

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

OMG you bought that. Wowzers!! DK said it going to be difficult; did he say impossible?

I also don't have a solution But man is that thing blingtastic...

No just hard. But still need to take his input. Also going to ask Grace if she has any ideas.

 

[Lookinagain]

If DK says it will be difficult to bend, that would scare me as it sounds like it could be risky. It's so beautiful, I'd hate to think it ended up damaged. I think the vertical idea sounds interesting if your arm can handle the 4 inches. Maybe a mock up could be done to see what that would look like?

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I was going to suggest setting it vertically and then saw @Leigh10 beat me to it

It’s a stunning piece. I would do a swoopy tapered bracelet/cuff (I mean something closed loop, I don’t know what the right word is), but not too tapered, else it’ll be uncomfortable to wear. It still needs to hit your wrist at the back or it won’t be comfortable imo. And have DK do some filigree or carving work that is cohesive with the shape)!

The other thing you can do to make it comfortably wearable and not like a forearm guard is to have the bracelet part have gaps, like 3 bands (around 0.5-0.75in thick each) that go all the way around your arm (at the top, middle and base) with visible gaps to show your skin. I hope this makes sense.

 

[elizat]

So, I had a very detailed brooch with calibre converted by DK a few years back. I don't have it anymore. However, I will say that at least one of the calibre stones broke when he did the conversion and mine was less detailed than yours. I would... exercise caution. That's a tremendous amount of detail to work wtih and very intricate. Depending on how far he needs to curve it to fit your wrist... it could be.... yikes. I'm just being honest. I think it's a beautiful piece and a lovely idea, but I would hate to see it ruined.

 

[Rfisher]

Wait-
i can’t see the picture that well.
is there already a bunch of missing sapphire calibre?

what if a couple (not all) of the calibre lines were sacrificed and extended and made the brooch into smaller separate segments affixed on/set into a cuff, slightly spaced apart, instead of trying to curve the complete brooch?

then the existing sapphires could be used to plug into other missing areas?

 

[elizat]

Wait-
i can’t see the picture that well.
is there already a bunch of missing sapphire calibre?

what if a couple (not all) of the calibre lines were sacrificed and extended and made the brooch into smaller separate segments on a cuff, slightly spaced apart, instead of trying to curve the complete brooch?

then the existing sapphires could be used to plug into other missing areas?

you are right. I zoomed in. At least almost two whole lines of missing calibre, plus more.

 

[Kim N]

Oh my, what a glorious brooch, Mrsz1ppy. This cuff is going to be stunning no matter how it turns out.

Sending more healing thoughts and good wishes to you.

 

[Mreader]

Wait-
i can’t see the picture that well.
is there already a bunch of missing sapphire calibre?

what if a couple (not all) of the calibre lines were sacrificed and extended and made the brooch into smaller separate segments affixed on/set into a cuff, slightly spaced apart, instead of trying to curve the complete brooch?

then the existing sapphires could be used to plug into other missing areas?

I don't see a picture.

 

[Rfisher]

I don't see a picture.

@mrsZ1ppy‘s first post in this thread has it

 

[Lookinagain]

@elizat and @Rfisher are these the two areas you are thinking have the missing stones? I thought it was just the lighting and not actually missing stones so am not sure which it is.

 

[elizat]

@elizat and @Rfisher are these the two areas you are thinking have the missing stones? I thought it was just the lighting and not actually missing stones so am not sure which it is.

yes. I thought it looked like they were missing, as well as a few others if you look closely, but it could be the photo?

 

[Rfisher]

I certainly could be wrong.

It could very well be just a strange way the picture depicts it as looking like multiple areas are missing.


Eta
nah- went and watched dolly’s video shows it clearly as being vacant areas.

 

[Lookinagain]

yes. I thought it looked like they were missing, as well as a few others if you look closely, but it could be the photo?

I went back to Dolly's IG and yes, you guys are right, there are missing stones so maybe taking it apart into sections would work as @Rfisher suggested.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

From the wellspring of bad ideas, don't bend it. Set it the long way, so it sits along the axis of your arm, maybe extending slightly (and seductively) onto your hand.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

From the wellspring of bad ideas, don't bend it. Set it the long way, so it sits along the axis of your arm, maybe extending slightly (and seductively) onto your hand.

Yes to this. I want to see it. Good idea. Thanks!

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Wait-
i can’t see the picture that well.
is there already a bunch of missing sapphire calibre?

what if a couple (not all) of the calibre lines were sacrificed and extended and made the brooch into smaller separate segments affixed on/set into a cuff, slightly spaced apart, instead of trying to curve the complete brooch?

then the existing sapphires could be used to plug into other missing areas?

Yes, a bunch of calibre sapphire is missing. I had thought of hinging where the caliber lines are, but not this idea. Good thought.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

I’ve heard back from DK with the measurements. For now I’m going to have him fix the calibre and send it to me. I think I need to see it in person before deciding, although I really want a cuff.

Thank you for all of the nice comments.

 

[Neptune]

I’m flattered and don’t mind a bit. Rock your own style and most importantly, have fun.

How about something like this? Perhaps the setting could minimize bending?

My booch to bangle conversion.

Hi all, I had purchased a brooch and sent it to Grace, to be converted into a bangle. To say the least, it turned out beyond gorgeous. Grace and her bench do amazing work. My mouth literally dropped open when I opened the box. I had thought the brooch was art deco, but Grace said no, that...

www.pricescope.com

I checked out the videos too, gah, there are so many big rocks!!! This is such a great 1st world problem. I think it is smart to see it in person before making the final decision. Place it on your wrist and share with us, please. Vertical is a great idea but let’s see it on you first.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

I’m flattered and don’t mind a bit. Rock your own style and most importantly, have fun.

How about something like this? Perhaps the setting could minimize bending?

My booch to bangle conversion.

Hi all, I had purchased a brooch and sent it to Grace, to be converted into a bangle. To say the least, it turned out beyond gorgeous. Grace and her bench do amazing work. My mouth literally dropped open when I opened the box. I had thought the brooch was art deco, but Grace said no, that...

www.pricescope.com

I checked out the videos too, gah, there are so many big rocks!!! This is such a great 1st world problem. I think it is smart to see it in person before making the final decision. Place it on your wrist and share with us, please. Vertical is a great idea but let’s see it on you first.

Thank you! Good ideas as always.

 

[Mreader]

@mrsZ1ppy‘s first post in this thread has it

Oops for some reason when Elizat was talking about her bracelet I thought she posted a pic as an example and that’s that it was referring to. Now I understand.

 

[lulu_ma]

@Mrsz1ppy thinking of you and hoping your treatment is going okay.

Your new brooch is so exquisite! I hope that you can find a way to preserve it in its current form.

In the meanwhile, you DESERVE a Wonder Womanish cuff. I will keep an eye out for one like Neptune's beauty.

Here's the closest I could find right now...

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewelry, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

BOLD and BEAUTIFUL! 75.9 Grams 14K YG Diamond Bangle Bracelet For Sale on Ruby Lane

For Sale - Vintage Bracelets from Ann-tiques and Fine Jewelry on Ruby Lane - Mid-Century 1940/50s Offered is a bold and beautiful wide 14K yellow gold bangle bracelet set with gorgeous diamonds on both the front and backside. The finish is high polish and as it is a wide bracelet, very difficult...

www.rubylane.com

 

[Catmom]

I hope your treatment works well and you recover quickly and totally. You know what I'm going to say. That brooch is spectacular and if there is any hint of issues with making it into a cuff I would not do it. Personally I would have it fixed and wear it as is. It's just that gorgeous but then that's me. You need to do what you like with it.

 

[Christinak]

@Mrsz1ppy thinking of you and hoping your treatment is going okay.

Your new brooch is so exquisite! I hope that you can find a way to preserve it in its current form.

In the meanwhile, you DESERVE a Wonder Womanish cuff. I will keep an eye out for one like Neptune's beauty.

Here's the closest I could find right now...

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewelry, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

BOLD and BEAUTIFUL! 75.9 Grams 14K YG Diamond Bangle Bracelet For Sale on Ruby Lane

For Sale - Vintage Bracelets from Ann-tiques and Fine Jewelry on Ruby Lane - Mid-Century 1940/50s Offered is a bold and beautiful wide 14K yellow gold bangle bracelet set with gorgeous diamonds on both the front and backside. The finish is high polish and as it is a wide bracelet, very difficult...

www.rubylane.com

I totally agree with this - you definitely need a Wonder Woman cuff.

Good luck with your treatment - sending best wishes!

This is my version of that wonder woman cuff. I love it. Totally outside my budget possibility though

https://galerielydiarupp.com/cdn/shop/files/230425_LydiaRUPP_inustudio-248_1080x.jpg?v=1683123764

 

[Neptune]

I thought of you when I saw this. Textured gold could be less distracting since you have a gigantic and dominant brooch...maybe?

14kt Yellow Gold and Platinum Diamond Bangle Bracelet

14kt yellow gold 25mm wide concave bangle bracelet inset with a late art deco platinum bracelet containing 118 round and nine marquise shaped diamonds with an estimated total weight of 4.50 carats

levysfinejewelry.com