Help: benetoite(?) got scratched

[Miss Andi]

I have an engagement ring with a round cut benetoite in the centre. it is currently in a half enclosed setting (sorry the real name has evaded me) the surface is starting to get scratched and im wandering does anyone have any suggestions how to avoid this, besides chaning to an enclosed setting and not wearing it. can i get the current scratches buffed out. i went to a few jewellers and they hadnt even heard of the stone and told it, it must be only cheap. (which i know is not true, which is why im worried).
Help me please!

 

[oshinbreez]

I think that Wink had one that was made into a pendant for his daughter. You might want to ask him.

 

[belle]

benetoite is not durable enough for everyday wear, especially not as a ring.
i love it, it is very, very beautiful though!

 

[Richard M.]

Hi,

Belle is right: with a hardness of 6 to 6.5, setting benitoite in a ring may result in scratches.

Most scratches can be removed but a cutter would need to see the stone to evaluate what is needed. W. Scott Forrest of Clovis, CA specializes in cutting this rare material and you might Google his name to contact him about your stone.

If used in a ring, benitoite must be totally protected by the setting''s design. This material is so rare and beautiful it''s worth all the extra precautions. Good luck.

Richard M.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Can someone post a pic of this stone? I''ve never heard of it.

 

[chrono]

Here is a picture in its natural state. Crap, can't see it. Oh well. Here's the link: http://www.calhistory.com/benitoite.html

 

[Richard M.]

Hi HH,

Benitoite is the California state gemstone because so far it''s only been found in one location in the world: San Benito County, CA. You can find images at this link: Benitoite

The images don''t show the real appeal of this stone. It combines the lovely blue hues of Ceylon sapphire with the dispersion "fire" of diamond. Well-cut stones can be quite a visual experience.

Richard M.

 

[ger100]

Here''s my little (0.21 ct) of Benitoite. It is sparkly like a diamond. Even on this 3 mm stone, with poor photographic skills, you can get an idea of how bright it is.

Ger

 

[ger100]

Same stone in box. Despite its diminutive size, it doesn''t get lost in the big box.

 

[Miss Andi]

Thankyou so much for all the feedback. Im going to look into the gentleman who specialises in cutting this stone. the scratches are only small so should be restorable but will definitely look into changing the setting to a full bevel at the least.
i really don''t want to have to make it into a pendant as it has special value to me being my engagement ring. hopefully a jeweller can do something with a setting to protect the top for me.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Here''s a screencapture I got off of Wink''s webinar a while back... they sure are gorgeous but you might want to put it in a pendant and wear it close to your heart and put a sapphire in its place on your ring