How to set this rutilated quartz?

[rustyshrapnel]

I wanted a fun statement necklace and found this rutilated quartz. I love how the rutile threads are more of a coppery-gold than the pale gold I so often see in these stones. It''s 24.48cts, pear portuguese cut, 20.6 x 19.27 x 12.27 mm, and I have no earthly idea how to set it...I''ve never really had any custom work done before and I''d like it to be a pendant, but I want the setting to keep as much of the stone exposed as possible to show off all those lovely threads. I think I''ve attached a photo correctly, so we''ll see how it goes.

 

[rustyshrapnel]

another angle...

 

[rustyshrapnel]

Aaaaand an underside shot:

 

[chrono]

That is such a lovely interesting stone. It’s going to be an awfully large setting though since the stone is quite sizeable. How about something collet set (around the bezel only)? It can be set with the point downwards .

 

[rustyshrapnel]

Yes, I was pondering something along those lines, like a band that only goes around the bezel portion of the stone, or a very very open basket. Since it''s a quartz, I''m not too concerned about needing to protect the stone as those ride decently high on the Mohs. I was also thinking perhaps a rose gold or yellow gold setting to complement the threads?

 

[chrono]

I do have another concern that you might want to consider as well. Due to the size of the quartz, the stone will ride quite high off the chest. A collet set pendant will not sit still, it will probably tilt left and right because the base is open. If you want the pendant to remain mostly motionless, an open basket is a better option (something with 3 prongs?). I’m leaning towards yellow gold because it’s more classic, yet allows the contrast of the coppery rutile needles to stand out.

 

[ma re]

I''d first check with the jeweller to see if there are some restrictions when it comes to setting a stone with all those needles inside. I know emeralds are tricky to set because of inclusions causing fractures and damaging the stone so I hope it''s not as serious of a problem here.

If there are no issues when it comes to setting, I''d suggest something like a lariat design, with your stone hanging on the end of a necklace. I''d have the necklace in silver/white gold and the setting itself (maybe something with a lot of claw prongs - by a lot I mean more than standard 4 or 6, to make it more interesting and unusual) in rose gold, so that a strong contrast between the two metals plays up the design and makes it a real statement piece.

Love the stone btw, very original!

 

[movie zombie]

love the stone! minimalist setting recommended.

mz

 

[Michael_E]

Date: 12/2/2009 10:20:50 AM
Author: ma re
I''d first check with the jeweller to see if there are some restrictions when it comes to setting a stone with all those needles inside.

Yes, there is a restriction..you have to make sure that none of those needles get out and poke you, OUCH !

If I were given free rein on a custom setting for this I''d be inclined to mimic the internal "jackstraw" look of the rutile needles by assembling a "nest" of gold needles around the stone. This could be narrow or wide to suit your tastes and budget. A few small diamonds or even colored stones strategically placed in that nest would add some spice to the mix and give it a very unique look.

 

[Liane]

Definitely minimalist -- both to show off the stone and because something that big, if set in gold, is going to be pretty expensive, especially with gold prices as crazy high as they are right now. The less metal, the better.

Chrono raises a good point about the tilting. I would suggest an open basket and perhaps a modified crown-type setting (where there''s a ring/basket base to stabilize the stone at the bottom, and then a series of claw prongs like the points of a crown holding up the stone at the top). A stone that big should probably have lots of prongs to distribute and support its weight, IMO. I personally get a little nervous about having any fewer than six prongs on a big stone, and prefer to go with bezel settings because they''re more secure and less likely to give way under the pendant''s weight as it moves on the chain.

Rose and yellow gold both sound lovely to me.

 

[RockHugger]

Oh I love that stone! COOL! I dont know much about settings but the needles in it are perfect for a rutilated quartz!

 

[rustyshrapnel]

Thanks for all the great tips and ideas! One of my co-workers suggested drilling it briolette-style and just letting it hang freely, but the thought of drilling into it kinda makes my stomach go funky. I really like the idea of the dual-tone lariat; I''m going to bring it to a goldsmith this weekend that I''ve worked with before and hash out your plans (and pricing) with him and see what will be the best way to show off this little beastie!

 

[T L]

That''s a cool stone, and perhaps you might also want a metal color that compliments the color of the needles.

 

[Largosmom]

If you do a lariat, can you set a smaller, orangey gold or coppery gold stone on the other end? (I am not sure I know exactly what a lariat looks like...does it have two ends hanging down?). Edited to add...maybe a dark citrine?

 

[Fly Girl]

I suggest taking a look at etsy vendors. Here is a fire opal that looks similar to your quartz piece, that is set in a sterling setting. Link She also has a rutilated quartz pendant for sale on her site.

 

[empress]

You could set it "backwards," or pavillion up to avoid the tipping issue, since this isn''t a sapphire or stone that will change color from side to side.

 

[rustyshrapnel]

Yes, since I''m really into the lariat concept I would prefer to set it in a way that the stone could hang and swing freely without showing a "back" which a basket would do, but if that''s the only way I can safely set the stone, then so be it. As for the other end of the lariat, I was going to go with an ivory/champagne-colored half-drilled pearl pendant.

 

[Jypsie]

This is a magnificent stone! I have been trying to get my hands on some rough like this for awhile now.

If I had that stone sitting on my desk waiting for a design to come to mind... I would go very contemporary. Thick precious metal bars making up the structure for the bezel setting... allowing for adding additional aspects to show off the colors. Im thinking Silvers and Golds - multiple shades of gold on each major structure that will make up the bezel. You can build from there - adding stones, bending metals, etc to form an ellegant design.

I love somewhat industrial looking designs - I wish I had something sketched up... but Ive been working on some very average projects lately... which I enjoy as as well... it gives me time to build up my need for a truely nify piece!

Best of luck! I cant wait to see the end result!