OK to Brag About My Friend's Spectrum Award?

[MarionC]

I am VERY happy to report that my friend Tony has won first place in the Bridal Wear category for the 2016 AGTA Spectrum Awards and will receive his award at the Tuscon Gem Show!!!
I'm posting not only to show the ring, but am sincerely hoping that any PSers who attend the show will look him up and say hi. He is very modest, so I am tooting his horn for him. This was his entry. The shank is 6-sided then morphs to fewer surfaces as it nears the bottom of the shank.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well congratulations to him! The ring appears to be really original and reminds me of something in space! Like space pod meets asteroid, maybe? That is very timely with Star Wars being so immensely successful! What is the gemstone?

 

[Tourmaline]

Very cool!

 

[MarionC]

It's a spinel. I love having a perfectionist near-by in case a custom project suddenly becomes necessary : )
He's the guy who hand-engraved my HOF band to make it look vintage, and set my OEC. Clearly I have not given him any interesting challenges, yet he has embraced my very small projects with enthusiasm and care.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are SO fortunate to have a good bench person nearby!!!

 

[MarionC]

You are SO fortunate to have a good bench person nearby!!!

DS, that is so true. It's been a growing relationship over the years as well, so there is a nice level of trust.
Hijack: I've been thinking of you and your Beaudry. I finally got a pink and white ring! except the asscher is pink and the sides are white.

I actually got it to set my asscher in, but it was quite clear that not only was the asscher 0.50 mm too small, but the K looked bad with the white halo.
I'll start a thread one of these days to explore how I can set the stone and make it happy. These projects seem never-ending!

 

[marcy]

Very cool! His design is so pretty. I wish I was going this year. I'd look him up.

 

[junebug17]

Wow that is very exciting Jimmianne! His design is amazing - it's great that you have such a talented and trusted jeweler nearby to work with. Congratulations to him!

 

[LLJsmom]

Congratulations to your friend!! How awesome to have a great bench so near you. I bet you could refer a lot of PSers to him.

 

[Andelain]

I'd love to see a side view of that ring.

Congrats to your friend!

 

[MarionC]

I'd love to see a side view of that ring.

Congrats to your friend!

your wish is my command : )
although this might not be the side view you wanted to see...
[I was curious about how the shank meets the head. I have only seen photographs so far].

 

[tyty333]

Very cool...I like the shank idea and the basket looks like it works really well for heavy bellied color stones! So lucky to know
an expert you can go to for questions!

 

[Rockinruby]

Congrats to your friend! Very cool design! Thanks for sharing!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

How wonderful! I adore that ring as it is beautifully designed and executed!

cheers--Sharon

 

[cinnamonstick]

Sweet! Congrats! Unique design! Love it!