I’ve been bad - yet again

[Bron357]

I just can’t help myself. And I have an addiction to cluster rings. Thank goodness they are out of fashion because it means MORE for me.
Again I was looking for a setting for a loose gem, this time the wee Alexandrite. I know most PSers love to design and create their gem masterpieces, but I’m a bargain hunting pre loved type of gal, and I can get more bling for less $$$.
Again my partner in Bling - Suz (xxxxx) has helped me out, yet again, so more photos to come.
PS that’s a “treated” ruby which is being evicted from the setting so my Alexandrite can take up residence.
And yes, I’m hoping someone is working on genetically engineered extra fingers, I’m in dire need of more finger real estate, maybe another 2 fingers to start!

 

[Dandi]

Oh it is so good when you're bad @Bron357!! I love your style, and what a dear wittle alex that is. LOVE the setting too. It's so YOU!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@Bron357 How wonderful, the richness of the cluster combined with the color magic of an alexandrite; can't wait to see the final result Bron!

 

[Missy]

I just can’t help myself. And I have an addiction to cluster rings. Thank goodness they are out of fashion because it means MORE for me.
Again I was looking for a setting for a loose gem, this time the wee Alexandrite. I know most PSers love to design and create their gem masterpieces, but I’m a bargain hunting pre loved type of gal, and I can get more bling for less $$$.
Again my partner in Bling - Suz (xxxxx) has helped me out, yet again, so more photos to come.
PS that’s a “treated” ruby which is being evicted from the setting so my Alexandrite can take up residence.
And yes, I’m hoping someone is working on genetically engineered extra fingers, I’m in dire need of more finger real estate, maybe another 2 fingers to start!

Cluster rings are out of style? Nooo they will never go out of style IMO. Cluster rings are TDF beautiful. Anyway if that's being bad I never want to be good. Enjoy your Alexandritelicious new purchase @Bron357. Love it.

 

[prs]

Bron, that's one heck of a halo!!!

You weren't kidding when you said you were "a go big or go home" kinda gal.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Thank you for doing this @Bron357. I love that you're bad, so I can continue to live vicariously through you. I do need an alexandrite someday and a ballerina cluster, too, so two birds with one stone...

(Sigh... so jealous!)

 

[Bron357]

And Alex has a fun back story.
I was in an Antique Centre years ago (lots and lots of individual “stalls” inside a big old building) and I spotted this cute little fine gold bracelet with a small Amythest charm in an stall that had lots of jewellery for $60 so I bought it. I put it on and off I went. Finished browsing so left. Out front and now in the sunshine I looked down and went “what, why is it now green/ blue ?” So I went back inside and then went “OMG it’s purple again”. Confusion !! Went back outside, yup, back to the green/ blue color.
Lightbulb moment - not an Amythest but a colour change gem. Later on, IDed as an Alexandrite.
Not big, .90 carat and plenty of inclusions but hey, what a suprising score.

 

[ringo865]

@Bron357 your stones and settings are fabulous! Your stories are awesome, too. What’s that cluster look like on the profile? It’s gonna be amazing!!!

 

[stracci2000]

@Bron357, I love to hear your stories and bling adventures!
I live vicariously through you!

 

[lovedogs]

@Bron357 saw this and thought of you!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-12-NATUR...rentrq:1860282b1690abc2f811b492fff7731c|iid:1

 

[Nick_G]

And Alex has a fun back story.
I was in an Antique Centre years ago (lots and lots of individual “stalls” inside a big old building) and I spotted this cute little fine gold bracelet with a small Amythest charm in an stall that had lots of jewellery for $60 so I bought it. I put it on and off I went. Finished browsing so left. Out front and now in the sunshine I looked down and went “what, why is it now green/ blue ?” So I went back inside and then went “OMG it’s purple again”. Confusion !! Went back outside, yup, back to the green/ blue color.
Lightbulb moment - not an Amythest but a colour change gem. Later on, IDed as an Alexandrite.
Not big, .90 carat and plenty of inclusions but hey, what a suprising score.

I love reading of stories like this.

My best alexandrite mineral specimen was acquired in a sort of similar way. It was on eBay listed as an epidote from Långban in Sweden, via Wards, dated 1934, and looking at the pics I was convinced it was something else. When it arrived the specimen looked so much better than the pics, as in daylight the crystals were a deep emerald green colour. I knew then it wasn't epidote, and yes, sure enough, under a dim torch bulb the crystals changed to a purplish-brownish reddish colour. After some digging around I discovered that the most likely back story was that it had been obtained in Russia by mineralogist Gustav Flink, who specialised in Långban minerals, and then ended up in the US where it presumably got mixed up with other Långban specimens and mislabelled. If so, it would have been found between 1889 and 1916. So I basically obtained a classic old Russian alexandrite specimen at a very nicely reduced price.

As my funds are limited compared to many people here, I tend to look out for bargains online.

 

[pwsg07]

I always enjoy your stories. I hope I will be lucky like you one day.