My first Art Deco watch project

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

Over the weekend I stumbled upon a platinum diamond watch on FB marketplace and I was speechless, it wasn’t near by any means but not too far from a dear friend I’ve needing to visit. After some an amazing conversation with the couple, I traded a piece of jewelry for this beauty! I have loose stones I’ve been meaning to set and I thought this moonstone would be lovely. I’m new in this area of jewelry, any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[LilAlex]

Just lovely!

I don't know -- I bet you could get a nice step-cut aqua to fit right in there!

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

Just lovely!

I don't know -- I bet you could get a nice step-cut aqua to fit right in there!

I hadn’t thought of that, that would look really pretty against the platinum. I don’t have any so that’s something I could look into, Thank you!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I love this kind of project!

Moonstone isn't very hard so I wonder about it for a bracelet that will probably get bashes a bit. A more flush set faceted gem might work better. One big one or a few small ones cluster/pave set would be nice.

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

@Dreamer_D

You’re right! Moonstone is rather soft, and it does protrude, unfortunately I don’t have anything step cut within this size or smaller that would work, maybe some digging or looking.
I do have this, but I would have to get it custom cut.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hmmm.. I think diamonds need something more sparkly and fancy.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I suppose if you don't want to spend an arm and a leg then the moonstone would be lovely! You could always replace it if it got damaged.

 

[LightBright]

I adore your watch/bracelet- can we see a close up of the marquise diamonds? I love the moonstone, but was thinking yellow gold prongs to anchor the color of the central stone. Then I was thinking synthetic emerald or green moissanite for durability. Or a blue sapphire. Something bold. I do think that moonstone because of its dimensionality might work, and works better when it flashes blue. But fragile.

Here’s a link to RRfromR’s emerald in setting by DK, to show you what I mean by bold color carrying the piece.

R

Thread 'My 1st project with DK!'

Oct 18, 2024

This was a brooch from early 1900s and he made it into a ring. The band is victorian 22k.
It's even prettier IRL and that emerald is gorgeous. I need to send it to GIA.

• RRfromR
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Antique & Vintage Jewelry

• 
• 

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

I suppose if you don't want to spend an arm and a leg then the moonstone would be lovely! You could always replace it if it got damaged.

That’s exactly what I was thinking.. I guess I will have to see what else there is out there. I love the step cut idea, I just need patience, something that is definitely not one of my strengths. Haha.

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

I adore your watch/bracelet- can we see a close up of the marquise diamonds? I love the moonstone, but was thinking yellow gold prongs to anchor the color of the central stone. Then I was thinking synthetic emerald or green moissanite for durability. Or a blue sapphire. Something bold. I do think that moonstone because of its dimensionality might work, and works better when it flashes blue. But fragile.

Here’s a link to RRfromR’s emerald in setting by DK, to show you what I mean by bold color carrying the piece.

R

Thread 'My 1st project with DK!'

Oct 18, 2024

This was a brooch from early 1900s and he made it into a ring. The band is victorian 22k.
It's even prettier IRL and that emerald is gorgeous. I need to send it to GIA.

• RRfromR
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Antique & Vintage Jewelry

• 
• 

You’re right, I don’t really mind the durability as this is something that will be worn sparingly for special occasions and such.
Also probably on occasion to wear around the house in pajamas, while drinking coffee as a reminder that diamonds were also subjected to pressure and they are beautiful and one of the strongest minerals on Earth. Just maybe not the moonstone, haha.

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

Hmmm.. I think diamonds need something more sparkly and fancy.

I just saw this, I apologize. Yes I believe something more faceted would look a lot better. I’m going to look for a few months and see if there is anything out there around those parameters. It doesn’t help being picky I don’t really lean toward lab anything so that makes it a bit more difficult as anything in this size that’s not in the quartz family or beryl family would be way out of budget or more than I would like to spend.
If not moonstone it is, it’s something I don’t have currently set so I will hold onto the thought until something more flashy and fitting to this watch pops up. I really appreciate your suggestions.

 

[JV36912]

Over the weekend I stumbled upon a platinum diamond watch on FB marketplace and I was speechless, it wasn’t near by any means but not too far from a dear friend I’ve needing to visit. After some an amazing conversation with the couple, I traded a piece of jewelry for this beauty! I have loose stones I’ve been meaning to set and I thought this moonstone would be lovely. I’m new in this area of jewelry, any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Its gorgeous! What a lovely find. Enjoy!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think a jeweler could also fashion a metal insert that had smaller stones set in a cool pattern. Like the kind of rings Cecile Raley Designs makes but a rectangular insert for the open area in the ring. That could be cool and you could use smaller gems.

 

[Bron357]

If you’re in Australia don’t try bringing in a lab diamond.
Anyhow here are my conversions. The gem doesn’t need to be a perfect fit but you have to decide whether to have “air gaps” or a solid base. I went with solid base. The first one is a perfect 10mm square and my piece of jade fits perfectly.

 

[Bron357]

And I forgot to add, if you want to replace the black band you could use a white gold bracelet (jeweller cut and solder to fit) or you can buy new white metal cord type watch bands. Like $30 or so.
I actually used the white gold cord watchband I had to convert a brooch to a bracelet.

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

@Dreamer_D
That I do have, I will need to contemplate and see which ones I don’t need as rings. This is a possibility, I love this idea!

@Bron357
Wow! These are beautiful, you did an amazing job with these conversions I especially love the one with the green faceted gemstone.
Thank you for your insight and giving me some wonderful examples to contemplate on. You are absolutely right, I need to think how I want the stone to be set. I guess it depends on what I have or what’s available.

 

[Garnet Gimlet]

I don't have anything productive to add, but I am in love both with the watch and the moonstone! I have been in a huge moonstone kick lately. But whatever you set in that bracket will be absolutely stunning!