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Citrine for my Great Aunt is finished!

davi_el_mejor

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Mar 8, 2010
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As some may recall, I've been working on a present for my Great Aunt. She's gone through some life changing (for the better) medical issues and has a completely new outlook on life. Her favorite gemstone is citrine. As a child she would have me go out to the garden and cut her daffodils. She had hundreds of them so I would gather as many would fit in the basket. Daffodils are also a spring flower, a time of renewal and starting over.

I started out with a few different ideas but ultimately chose this 1.79ct 7mm RB Citrine cut by Pete Brush of http://www.westerngem.com/index.html. It is stunning in person

citrines%20and%20garnets%20013.png

Then I decided to use a local artist, Nancy Karpel (http://www.nancykarpeljewelry.com/), to do the pendant. She works in silver and enamel. This piece was done in Fine Silver (.999) Precious Metal Clay.

She started with pictures of daffodils and worked out a sketch.

auntdiannesnecklace%20001.png

Then cut out pieces of paper of what the finished pieces would be and made wax molds for the PMC.

auntdiannesnecklace%20002.png

There's a few more process pictures she's going to forward me and I'll post those later. :D

Here is the finished piece. The cup of the flower holds the citrine. The prongs were made to look like the stamens and the cup is enameled in a few different layered colors (the whole cup is enameled inside and out).

auntdiannesnecklace%20003.png
auntdiannesnecklace%20020.png

I don't think it could have come out any better than it did. Pete is a fantastic lapidary and a great guy. Nancy is so nice and her work is amazing. I think my Aunt is going to flip :D
 

Novel

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Oh my goodness, Davi, that is gorgeous and so unique. What a lovely, thoughtful, and artistic gift! It looks absolutely fantastic. I hope she loves it!
 

packrat

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Davi! I don't know what to say! What a great and thoughtful gift..just amazing!
 

T L

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What a thoughtful and unique gift, something nice to bring Spring in! :))
 

movie zombie

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Davi, not only is it a thoughtful and unique gift, it is a simply gorgeously divine gift! i'm glad your Aunt is doing better.

MoZo
 

K9

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Davi - it is absolutely beautiful! Full of creativity and thoughtfulness, not only in design, but how it ties you and your aunt together through childhood memories. What a sentimental gift that I'm sure your aunt will deeply cherish. :))
 

minousbijoux

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Really lovely. You blow me away with your creativity. I certainly hope you give it to her with a big basket of daffodils? :appl:
 

JewelFreak

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Davi, she will adore it! And you for being such a honey of a great-nephew. What a memorable gift!

--- Laurie
 

ooo~Shiney!

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Davi ~ this is one time I just DON'T know what to say.....

except.... :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:

*raising hand* "I like daffodils, too......."
 

stargurl78

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Wow!!! What a beautiful unique necklace and a very thoughtful gift! Let us know how thrilled she is once you give it to her.
 

davi_el_mejor

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Thank you everyone. I can't wait to give it to her in October when I go back to California for a visit.

Here's another picture of the unset stone. If the sun ever comes out I'll try to get sun shots of the necklace. The citrine really smolders like an ember in the sun.

citrines garnets and spinels oh my 002.png
 

velouriaL

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That is just GORGEOUS. I love enamel. I wish we saw more of it around here.

And so very thoughtful of you!
 

LD

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This is absolutely what great jewellery is all about. I'm positive that your Great Aunt will treasure your thoughtful, symbolic and kind gift.
 

pixies

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What an amazing pendant! It's beautiful, but what's even better is that you put so much thought into it. Such a lovely gesture!
 

davi_el_mejor

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Just a few more pictures from the brief sunshine today

springy%20022.png
springy%20020.png
springy%20014_0.png
 

AprilBaby

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What a thoughtful gift! I hope she loves it! :appl: :appl: :appl:
 

jstarfireb

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That's such a cool concept and very well executed!
 

TravelingGal

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Davi, that is one of the most thoughtful and coolest things I have ever seen here...and...we need a neck shot! Can you oblige or find someone to do it? It's gorgeous!
 

Indylady

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Gorgeous pendant! Truly thoughtful :)) .
 

Lovinggems

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Gorgeous pendant and I love the bright colours. You're a wonderful great nephew. :appl:
 

davi_el_mejor

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Mar 8, 2010
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Thank you all again. I'm working on getting a neck shot model :D Maybe Friday after my trip the District

This is the piece before it was fired in the kiln. Nancy said that piece shrinks about 14-15% which makes getting measurements for the setting a little tricky.

DSC00241.JPG
 

yennyfire

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It is gorgeous and the thought and sentiment behind it is lovely! I'm sure that you're great aunt will love it and be touched that you think so highly of her to create such a special gift for her.
 
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