Black spinel...Thank you, PS!

[Persephone]

I'm not a regular poster but I'm definitely a regular lurker on the CS sub-forum and wanted to thank PS for pointing me towards my new CS ring project!

I had initially been looking for a grey diamond to set in white/grey gold but had a difficult time finding a stone that wasn't too yellowish, too bluish/purplish or too included and within a reasonable price range...(the quest continues!)

In any case, a while back, someone here was asking about black gemstones and a poster mentionned black spinel. I know black isn't everyone's cup of tea but I decided to check it out. I found it to be super sleek and modern and a great alternative to traditional stones (i.e. diamonds, sapphires, rubies - love them but see them a lot). I wondered if it might be a little too goth, but realized that goth was in the jewelry/setting and not the stone itself.

As per the recommendation in the post, I sent an email to Doug at Bespoke gems. He was incredibly friendly and helpful and I ended up with my very own (custom!!) 8 mm bicentennial brilliant black spinel.

Now that I've received it and love it, I just wanted to thank talamasca and movie zombie who pointed me and the original poster in the right direction. I really, truly appreciate your help and knowledge! I also know that pics are always appreciated, so I thought I'd include a few with this thank you post!

Now all that's left to do is choose a (non-goth) setting!!

 

[Pandora II]

Beautiful!

I''m a big fan of black spinel over most other black gemstones. Look forward to seeing how you set it.

 

[movie zombie]

glad to have been of assistance...i knew doug would get it right!

re the setting: you think finding the stone was hard?! let me tell you that in my experience as hard as that seemed at the time, it was the easy part! finding a setting and COMMITING to it was a whole 'nother experience more akin to going to hell than anything else i can think of......keep us posted, please!

 

[Persephone]

Thanks so much for the positive responses!

I've actually been thinking about the setting A LOT!

One thing I know is that it must be low and must be bezel because I dislike prongs. I know that sounds ridiculous but I really do, especially with such a dark stone. I've got it down to three choices and the two craftsmen whose work I most admire (again, thank you PS for helping me find them!):

1. More traditional/mainstream: Sending it to Leon Megé for a very, very, very thin and very, very, very white diamond halo (like the green stone ring but with a bezel).

2. More modern/unique: Sending it to Étienne Perret whose work I really love and already own (he set my diamond in one of his low halos) to be set in ceramic. I was originally thinking white ceramic but now I'm thinking maybe a black ceramic semi bezel (Not sure if that's possible). I can't find a pic of what I'm looking for but I found two pics from the ceramic collection for reference.

3. A very, very, very thin bezel halo with very black diamonds (is that even possible?). Is this the best of both worlds? Is there some sort of very dark gold out there to give the metal that black/titanium sort of color? I found a reference pic that really isn't what I want but its along the same lines.

I know the choices are very diverse and that jewerly is a personal thing but I'd love to hear opinions...Positive and negative ones, I can take it...I'm confident in my taste and in what I do and don't like! (i.e. no prongs, no pillbox rings, no flower/fleur-de-lis/leaf/heart/infinity symbol motifs, no height...)

I think the black halo and the black ceramic most fit who I am but I'm also conscious that the stone could get lost in the setting...But I really like the idea of a modern monochromatic piece...

Thoughts?

 

[movie zombie]

ok, up front and honest: i don't like halos.

i don't like the thin band of the first ring....actually i don't like the ring at all.

the first ceramic makes my heart go pitter patter! i can see your spinel in something along these lines, even perhaps with a bezel of very small diamonds, perhaps grey? yes, i don't like halos but i do like chunky and unusual rings....example is my own e-ring.

the 2nd ceramic is too dark and your' spinel would be lost.

i don't like the last ring at all....looks like a cocktail ring that i'd wear to a goth party......

i think the color of that first ceramic gives you a lot of options and artistic opportunities for creating something. i also think your black spinel would look good with a gold bezel.

yes, there are ways that a gold ring can be "blackened"....i had that done on a wedding band years ago. however, it didn't last [neither did the marriage.... ].

 

[Persephone]

ok, up front and honest: i don't like halos.

i don't like the thin band of the first ring....actually i don't like the ring at all.

the first ceramic makes my heart go pitter patter! i can see your spinel in something along these lines, even perhaps with a bezel of very small diamonds, perhaps grey? yes, i don't like halos but i do like chunky and unusual rings....example is my own e-ring.

the 2nd ceramic is too dark and your' spinel would be lost.

i don't like the last ring at all....looks like a cocktail ring that i'd wear to a goth party......

i think the color of that first ceramic gives you a lot of options and artistic opportunities for creating something. i also think your black spinel would look good with a gold bezel.

yes, there are ways that a gold ring can be "blackened"....i had that done on a wedding band years ago. however, it didn't last [neither did the marriage.... ].

LOL! Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it, especially since your e-ring (avatar) is really after my own heart! I just love it!

I think I'm going to go the ceramic route. I like that its unique, young and not too fussy. I still love the Leons, but they seem a little high-maintenance-ish for me. I appreciate the beauty of the pieces but I'm not really that girl. I'm also confident that Etienne Perret will come up with a great idea. Working with him last time was a total pleasure. He even took the time out to call me and speak to me personally, which I thought was really nice. I like his sleek lines and modern eye.

I love the idea of adding the grey diamonds somewhere because they're my first love! I'm going to keep scouring the web for ideas...

All ceramic suggestions are welcome!

 

[movie zombie]

[LOL! Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it, especially since your e-ring (avatar) is really after my own heart! I just love it!

I think I'm going to go the ceramic route. I like that its unique, young and not too fussy. I still love the Leons, but they seem a little high-maintenance-ish for me. I appreciate the beauty of the pieces but I'm not really that girl. I'm also confident that Etienne Perret will come up with a great idea. Working with him last time was a total pleasure. He even took the time out to call me and speak to me personally, which I thought was really nice. I like his sleek lines and modern eye.

I love the idea of adding the grey diamonds somewhere because they're my first love! I'm going to keep scouring the web for ideas...

All ceramic suggestions are welcome!

i can relate to that! i tried on a lot of really nice engagement rings and they all looked great on me.....but they weren't who i am or reflect my interests.

lebish has some grey diamonds......but i don't remember if they were small .....worth contacting them though.

have you posted a picture of your prior project with Etienne Perret?

 

[VRBeauty]

Your stone is beeeyoootiful! As for settings, I like the second one you posted, but being more traditional, I'd go for a nice chunky yellow gold bezel with a white gold or silver band...

Have fun!

 

[movie zombie]

that too would look great, VR!

 

[pregcurious]

I know you're heading away from halos, but Leon Mege has a very unique double halo, using oxidized silver for the outside halo.

You could use your spinel to replace the tourmaline, which would bring a clever twist--black stone with white metal and diamond halo, surrounded by a black metal halo. You could also have another pattern crafted with part oxidized silver, and part white metal. I think it would be cool to do something with a three stone and different colors of metals and stones.

 

[Persephone]

You could use your spinel to replace the tourmaline, which would bring a clever twist--black stone with white metal and diamond halo, surrounded by a black metal halo. You could also have another pattern crafted with part oxidized silver, and part white metal. I think it would be cool to do something with a three stone and different colors of metals and stones.

Wow! I definitely love the idea of oxidized silver to darken the setting and different stone colors. I most drawn to the monochromatic palet (white diamond, grey diamond, black) but maybe a shot of colour could work to...The only thing I don't love is the flower-ish shape but I'm sure it's possible to work around that. Maybe a double halo in a ceramic band?

And off topic but that centre stone tourmaline is sooooo cool!!

 

[chrono]

I'm not good with settings but I think some contrast will be great. If going with a bezel, I'd bezel it in a strongly white coloured rim, then the shank should be a deep gray or similar.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

YUM!

Skimmed over all the posts (sorry busy at work and trying to settle my mind with gorgeous CS' )

Just wanted to throw out there that spinel is a great stone to be set in PMC. They handle the heat and don't change colors

Another great thing about PMC, you can enamel it. OOH the possibilities!

I'm picturing a bright silver bezel around that gorgeous spinel with alternating black and white enamel stripes around the band.

 

[movie zombie]

white and grey diamonds with your black spinel would be lovely. you have a lot of possibilities to play with.....thank you for letting us play with you!

eta: i'm a big fan of silver...

 

[Persephone]

I'm so happy to have all this help!! I was afraid my post might fall by the wayside since its different from a lot of the CS projects on the board.

I like the multiple halo/multiple color idea,especially since the stone is such a uniform color. I wish I had better drawing skills, so I could get a few options down on paper!

Two more ideas from this morning, both by Etienne Perret. All opinions and ideas welcome!

And Davi, WHAT is amazing stone in your avatar?!

 

[movie zombie]

oh, that 2nd picture sends me into the clouds! that two tone look is divine. i think your black spinel would be terrific in it......

 

[davi_el_mejor]

oh, that 2nd picture sends me into the clouds! that two tone look is divine. i think your black spinel would be terrific in it......

What MZ said!

and the little stone in my avatar... that's my .84ct deep yellowish brown radiant cut diamond. It's now resting comfortably on my finger thanks to DBL

 

[VRBeauty]

oh, that 2nd picture sends me into the clouds! that two tone look is divine. i think your black spinel would be terrific in it......

What MZ said!

What MZ and d_e_m said!

 

[movie zombie]

I'm so happy to have all this help!! I was afraid my post might fall by the wayside since its different from a lot of the CS projects on the board.

i forgot to say something about this: personally, i like the "different"....this has turned into a fun project and you're giving me ideas: i have a black spinel i purhased from aussie sapphire some years ago....i'm going to have to pull it out and think about setting that puppy....actually, i've got a lot of unset stones that would look lovely in that two tone setting you posted..... i'm thinking i'm not alone in getting ideas and being motivated by your project!

 

[Persephone]

I know, I know!! That second setting is fantastic! There's a metal-metal + halo version of it too (will post it below). A little much for me but i like the general idea.

In my wildest dream, the band on the metal ring (not the ceramic band) has square grey diamonds in it ...but I don't know if I'm asking for too much!!

MZ, I'm very happy to help, especially since you've helped me so much! I'll definitely be following your project threads and of course i'm especially looking forward to seeing what you do with your own black spinel.

And Davi, well, I'm super jealous!! Your stone looks amazing.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions (and the enabling!!). I'm still open to all great ideas so I'm going to wait a few days, jot everything down and send the stone off to see how it can all come to life

 

[melave]

oh, that 2nd picture sends me into the clouds! that two tone look is divine. i think your black spinel would be terrific in it......

What MZ said!

What MZ and d_e_m said!

Oh i love this one too!!!!! Would you do the gold part in white gold?

 

[Persephone]

oh, that 2nd picture sends me into the clouds! that two tone look is divine. i think your black spinel would be terrific in it......

What MZ said!

What MZ and d_e_m said!

Oh i love this one too!!!!! Would you do the gold part in white gold?

I was thinking maybe black ceramic, unless it would be too much black (stone + ceramic band)...Still thinking it over...Thinking about maybe putting scattered stones in the band...

I think there are too many choices!

 

[Aven]

Your black spinel is really gorgeous! And the settings you have posted with the metal and ceramic rings together are so unqiue and amazing! I too have been on a bit of a grey colored stone kick lately and am sort getting a grey/black fix vicariously through your thread I hope you are able to grey diamonds in your ring some how, it would be stunning. I can't wait to see your finished ring!

 

[Persephone]

Your black spinel is really gorgeous! And the settings you have posted with the metal and ceramic rings together are so unqiue and amazing! I too have been on a bit of a grey colored stone kick lately and am sort getting a grey/black fix vicariously through your thread I hope you are able to grey diamonds in your ring some how, it would be stunning. I can't wait to see your finished ring!

Thanks so much! I'm so happy about all the help and positive feedback I've been getting here. I love this forum!

I've decided that there will definitely be grey...maybe even white and grey if I can swing it. I'll keep you posted!!

 

[VRBeauty]

I have a supposedly "green" tourmaline that sure looks grey to me. I love it because - when you think of a colored gemstone, "grey" is not the first thing that comes to mind! The first wide black ceramic band you posted has me thinking... hmmm.... Is that another Etienne Perret design?

 

[Persephone]

I have a supposedly "green" tourmaline that sure looks grey to me. I love it because - when you think of a colored gemstone, "grey" is not the first thing that comes to mind! The first wide black ceramic band you posted has me thinking... hmmm.... Is that another Etienne Perret design?

Oh, I wanna see! I love, love grey! It's really my favourite. I searched for grey for so long but never really came up with the perfect stone to fit my budget. The Liebish grey diamonds are amaaaaaaaaaaaaazing but either small or way (WAY) out of my league!

And yes, they're all Etienne Perret rings except the first (pale green stone in halo) and the leon. I plan on sending him my black spinel.

 

[movie zombie]

even my husband likes the one i liked so much! showed it to him this a.m. and warned him i may be pulling out a stone to be set.....

 

[Persephone]

even my husband likes the one i liked so much! showed it to him this a.m. and warned him i may be pulling out a stone to be set.....

Exciiiiiiiiiiiiting!!!

 

[movie zombie]

question re those ceramic settings: are they more prone to cracking/breaking completely, especially if dropped on a tile floor? i can't imagine that they wouldn't have some durability "issues".......

 

[Persephone]

question re those ceramic settings: are they more prone to cracking/breaking completely, especially if dropped on a tile floor? i can't imagine that they wouldn't have some durability "issues".......

I honestly don't know and have no first hand experience to share. However, there is a lot of info on ceramicjewelry.com, especially in the Education section. Apparently, ceramic is very durable and an 8.7 on the Mohs scale (that doesn't mean anything to me but I've hung around here enough to know that it means something to a lot of people!).

Of course, this info is from the vendor's own website...I don't mean to say that the info would be purposely misleading or dishonest, I'm just going for full disclosure about the source.

"Ceramique is extremely durable. Even thin kitchen knives made of this material, which are much more fragile than sturdy rings, are basically shatterproof. If you drop a knife on its tip or use it to pry things open it can chip, but dropping one on the floor almost never causes it to shatter.

We have tried repeatedly to crack one of Etienne’s Ceramique rings by dropping it on a marble floor and so far we’ve never broken one. Of course this is not recommended for designs inlaid with gold or set with colored diamonds! All fine jewelry should be treated with care and respect and Ceramique is certainly no exception!"