Daniel M Halo Pendant w/ BK Pink Tourmaline

[tara3056]

I posted a few weeks ago about a special project I was working on for my Mom... the backstory is that I've been wanting to do something special for her anyway, but then she got the unfortunate news that her breast cancer has returned after a 10 year absence. Luckily, they've caught it very early and she will hopefully pull through just fine, but she does need surgery and is feeling a bit depressed about it all, particularly since her sister just passed away last month from Stage IV breast cancer. I was already planning on getting her a nice piece of jewelry before she was diagnosed, and I'd been thinking of a hot pink tourmaline since she loves the color pink, but only if its vibrant (no baby pinks!). Pink being significant for breast cancer was a happy coincidence, if one can call such a thing "happy." In any case, she needed a sentimental, mother-daughter pick-me-up more than ever.

I got a beautiful "rubellite" from Bob Kast. It is a 1.44 carat, 7mm round pink tourmaline. Bob said it was on the borderline of rubellite because, while it doesn't have the red color of a ruby, it does hold its hot pink color in all lighting conditions. I thought it was beautiful when I got it, especially in the sunlight, when it is stunning, but not long after that, I bought myself a Mahenge spinel and it put the poor tourmaline to shame. I was a bit worried about presenting it to my Mom, scared that it was kind of dull by comparison. Well, I needn't have worried! Somehow setting the tourmaline made it all the more beautiful and it really SHINES in all lighting conditions. We went to a street festival downtown tonight with only the streetlights and such on, and I couldn't stop looking at that stone!

But back to the necklace itself: I sent the stone and one of my gold chains off to Daniel M. I asked him to make a sliding halo bezel pendant with it, but change the back / gallery. We went with the design pictured, which helps minimize flipping and also is symbolic of a 4 leaf clover, for luck for my Mom. Dan and Caren did a beautiful job on the pendant. Is it bad that I'm actually kind of jealous of my Mom's necklace? I need one for myself, stat!! A tiny niggling voice tells me I'm glad I gave it to her the same day it came in the mail so that I wouldn't have to face temptation to keep it for myself any longer (which, of course, I'd never do, but still!).

So, here it is! I love, love, LOVE it!

 

[tara3056]

2 more pics!

 

[tara3056]

And for the record, I'm not sure if it's the way PS if processing my pics or what b/c I view the pics on my camera and the stone looks more vibrant there, just as it does in real life. It's in no way a muddy pink - it's hot pink and flashy.

 

[Enerchi]

Tara, its GORGEOUS!!! You are the best daughter to do something like that for your mom - I was emotional reading your story. I hope your mom gets thru this and it's only a minor blip in her health. Best of luck to her - dust for your mom!

But back to that gorgeous trinket--- WOW!!! I love it! The colour really seems more mahenge like - at least on my monitor - so good call on the stone! Very lovely back of the setting. DanielM does great work. woo hoo!

 

[LD]

Beautiful and I'm sure your Mum will love and treasure it. I know you've minimised the flipping by setting the chain as you have BUT even if it does flip the backside is so pretty that it's almost a work of art in itself!

Many congratulations and wishing your Mum lots of strength and a speedy recovery.

 

[JewelFreak]

That came out so beautifully! The stone looks wonderful & honestly, the back of that pendant is as lovely as the front (almost). I love that about good jewelry. Best of wishes & much dust to your mom for a quick happy recovery -- with a daughter like hers around, how can it be otherwise?

--- Laurie

 

[0-0-0]

Pretty pendant and I really like the back as well!

 

[NKOTB]

What a beautiful gift! I'm a big fan of that colour. Sending good health dust your mom's way!

 

[minousbijoux]

I hope that beautiful pendant is a constant reminder to your Mom of what a wonderful daughter you are and it helps her to heal.

Great job - your turn next!

 

[chloeishere]

What a beautiful stone and setting in a thoughtful gift for your mom! I hope the treatment goes well and she's back to full health and better than ever very soon!

 

[pinkjewel]

What a beautiful gift for your Mom-she will love it!! You are a very special daughter and I wish your Mom a very quick recovery.

 

[derbygal]

Absolutely gorgeous! What a thoughtful gift. Hope your mother has a quick and easy recovery and is feeling well soon!

 

[chrono]

PS washes out the eye popping colour of gems posted here so that's pretty normal for everyone. Wow, what stresses your family underwent. I'd bet your mother was delighted by your thoughtfulness and gesture. And the pendant? It's so pretty, even from the back view!

 

[bluebirrrd]

What a beautiful and loving project. I was touched by your story and I wish your mom a speedy recovery.

 

[Starzin]

Totally gorgeous - front and back! How special was it that you chose to give such a beautiful gift at a much needed time. More dust for a quick recovery for your mum.

 

[lknvrb4]

It is beautiful and what a nice thing to do!

 

[Coco914]

The tourmaline pendant came out GORGEOUS! I really love it... and the idea that you just wanted to do something special for your Mom. That is incredibly sweet and I'm sure she was very touched.