Now What for My Moldavite?

[iLander]

I bought this moldavite from Barry at ACStones, but now I'm having a hard time setting it. James Meyer won't set other people's stones and I just got this from Julia Kay Taylor:

"I'm not booking any more custom projects for this year but in October I'll begin booking for next year if you want to drop me a line then."

Sadly, a few months ago she asked me to drop her a line in August, and this was the response. So I'm thinking October might be similar.

I want to make a tie tack for my husband, who finds the whole moldavite story interesting (I think it's kind of cool, too). It will be a conversation starter for him.

As an FYI, here's an explanation of moldavite from a website:

Moldavite is a naturally occurring glass, originally found along the Moldau River in Czechoslovakia in 1787. It is usually a dark olive green color but can also occur in muted yellows and browns. It is one of a handfull of gems that can claim an extraterrestrial origin*. Moldavite is believed to be the outer surface of meteorites, that fused and melted during entry into our atmosphere. Moldavite has a diagnostic pattern of striae and bubbles (elongated, torpedo-shaped) that are unlike man-made glass.

So now who can set it in a simple silver prong-set tie tack, without breaking it or charging me an arm and a leg? Any ideas?

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Perhaps Sally at HoW?

There is a very long etsy thread on the jewelry forum. Loads of excellent craftswork there anf I am sure you can get a lot of names for your project.

 

[kenny]

Sorry I can't answer your question, I was just intrigued by Moldavite so I looked up.

Fascinating!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldavite

 

[Largosmom]

Julia got way booked up...I think we have all been keeping her very busy. A local jeweler who does custom work can do what you need, and probably at a reasonable price as it sounds like a simple project.

Laura

 

[packrat]

cool stone! Check w/Daniel M on Etsy. Sally on Etsy if you don't mind sending it overseas. Check w/Michael E as well-he works in gold and platinum, and I'm not sure if you were thinking to do silver or not. The others work in silver.

 

[Fly Girl]

I agree with Largosmom. A local jeweler should be able to put together this simple project for a reasonable price.

Very cool stone. I can see why your DH likes it.

 

[iLander]

Noooooo, please don't send me to "my local jeweler"! See my rants on this thread:

colored-stones/gripe-list-your-brick-n-mortar-jeweler-problems-issues-rants-t145065.html

I even visited the diamond district in NYC, and I couldn't even come up with a finding for an 11 x 11 trilliant. Ugh. (I did get something set, though. Will post soon)

Kenny, men do seem to really like moldavites and tektites. That's because they're cool stones with a really good backstory. Hard to find but I'll let everybody know if I ever come across another one. Has to be a trusted vendor, though, since they are essentially "glass".

Everyone else: I will start sending emails out to the people you suggested and see what they say, Thank you!

 

[Largosmom]

Gosh...I can see why you don't want the local person...wish I could send you to mine because they can do all sorts of custom work.

Laura

 

[chictomato]

Hi ilander! I have tried several bench and had finally found a competent one U can try to contact Jackson from ebay (prettyjewelry2u). I have custom made a pair of sapphire earring and had just received my tourmaline and a few other stones I had sent for prong setting. They came back without a scratch. i am please with his work and communication. He is base in China though. I had to send my parcel via fedex

 

[Largosmom]

ILander...do you mind mentioning the region you are located in? Perhaps one of us has a good person that can be worked with that is close enough to you to make it worth your time...or if you travel, you may be going near one of us.

I live in Southern Virginia.

Laura