Prosaically Purple

VapidLapid · Jan 20, 2011

I won the deservedly frenetic race to purchase this spinel posted last week on Barrys site. It is as fantastic as everyone thought it would be. My photos do not do it justice, I will try to take a few more tomorrow. (yes that's more than the overload I am already about to post!) One thing about Barry's site that has always seemed incomprehensible is how his photos can be so unquestionably accurate and the stones are always better when they arrive. If the pictures are accurate, how can that be? I think I have jammed my foot in the door of understanding. (God, that sounds like the thesis of a lifetime!) The difference between the online presence of barrys stones and their in person presence is much like the difference between a beautifully sanded and wiped down piece of wood and the same piece varnished. Or if you prefer an oil painting before and after a coat of varnish. Nothing changes, yet everything intensifies.

JewelFreak · Jan 20, 2011

Good work, VL. Good photography too. It is a beauty!! Any plans for it yet?

--- Laurie

VapidLapid · Jan 20, 2011

Do forgive me for missing that errant cotton fiber. The stone is 6.9 mm, 1.5 carat. This past fall I bought a few quarts of concord grapes at the union square greenmarket with no idea what I would do with them but the season is short especially for what comes down to NYC. I decided to make grape jelly. I dutifully removed the grapes from their jackets. I cooked the flesh with some water and sugar so I could strain it ( many seeds). While that simmered I minced the skins and added them back after straining out the seeds. My god (yes, lower case "g") the smell was damningly heavenly. Oh Vapid one, do you have a point? Why yes I do. The color of the churning boiling sugary conquered grape mishegoss was the same as the visual experience of this stone rolling in one's hand in the light.

VapidLapid · Jan 20, 2011

maebelle · Jan 20, 2011

This is gorgeous! I always look at Barry's drops but haven't tried to vie for anything yet.

kenny · Jan 20, 2011

Oh, that's really beautiful!

But that cotton fiber is simply unforgivable.
I am shocked and RuPauled!
My pics NEVER have a single errant molecule.

NOT!

baby nurse · Jan 20, 2011

I've been really looking forward to these pictures, vapid! It looks like an amazing stone and as usual, your photography is wonderful (as well as your descriptions

)! I really am delighted that a fellow PSer got this stone-- seems small of me, but I must admit I'm a little jealous

.

Any plans?

VapidLapid · Jan 20, 2011

So you've likely noticed the nugget of greenish gold in the photos. Yesterday I decided to make my own gold alloy; a 20 karat gold without copped, only gold and silver. 20 kt is 83.33% gold, the balance being whatever. I wanted only silver. so I took some 24kt casting grain and 999fine silver obviously I weighted them out carefully and accurately. I carved a ring into a block of graphite that I bought on the bay, one of many such blocks. In went the metal with a few grains of boric acid (no roaches here) and in about a minute I had this greenish 20 karat gold nugget.

VapidLapid · Jan 20, 2011

My greenish gold glob is 10.546 grams, plenty of material there to hammer out a ring, so That's my plan, this spinel in this glob. I shall call it, Harold and the Purple Crayon V. The Green Globbin.

Lovinggems · Jan 20, 2011

Sorry to interrupt your thread but the grape jelly spinel is heavenly. I'm really envious.

Now back to my seat with popcorn in hand for the rest of the show.

packrat · Jan 20, 2011

VL I looove it! Grape jelly is right!

VapidLapid · Jan 20, 2011

LG, you can interrupt me anytime. Actually I dont have more for tonight. I'll take a few more pics tomorrow in the sun and start on the setting. Since it's all experimental, I will document to forming of the setting as well.

BabyNurse, Thank you. It may seem out of place, like a sentiment from another time, but having some folks out there who appreciate my efforts to gesticulate madly at the heavens makes all the difference. And kudos on your choice of jealousies, this one is worth it!

Maebelle, you will sooner or later. Register and be logged in before the new list goes up (wednesdays 8pm eastern time)

Thank you JF, I'm bringing the pinkie ring back!

Kenny, there's a thread hanging off the back hem of your Tom Ford jacket, let me cut that off for you.

VapidLapid · Jan 20, 2011

For those who like to know these details, here is what the gold and silver and graphite looked like before the fire. to be fully honest this ring thusly formed was deemed by me to be not enough material volumetrically to make the ring, so today I added the same amounts again and melted it all together into the button you see with the spinel.

Treenbean · Jan 20, 2011

Oooh Vapid it is truly a thing of beauty. Congrats to you. The gold is just edible looking.

I know this is going to sound crazy. I think Barry uses an old sony mavica, anyone who has ever owned one swears by them. I think some people covet them too. The estate agent who appraised my house has one and she refuses to give it up. The thing is beat to hell plastic peeling etc, but still works and takes pretty great photos. Next purchase... Rolleiflex! To hell with technology.

Lula · Jan 20, 2011

VapidLapid|1295572990|2828248 said:
My greenish gold glob is 10.546 grams, plenty of material there to hammer out a ring, so That's my plan, this spinel in this glob. I shall call it, Harold and the Purple Crayon V. The Green Globbin.

I call it purple-icious!

VapidLapid · Jan 20, 2011

Treen, rollei is my fave for handheld. I have a snappy little rollei35 tessar, a freaking amazing 3003 with 2 distagons, and an sl66se. those were the days.

Largosmom · Jan 20, 2011

Vapid, you are an artist with both your craft and your words. In reading your post, I can smell the sweetness of those grapes, feel the heat of the torch on the metal, and visualize the purply color and flavor of that gem. I always enjoy your posts as they are a feast for many senses...thanks!

Laura

Aoife · Jan 20, 2011

VL, there is nothing prosaic about this beautiful spinel! It's really amazing, and I'm so looking forward to seeing what you do with it. There's something almost medieval about the color, so pairing it with your green gold seems perfect! I hope you'll document the whole process here, because I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to see the details.

Arcadian · Jan 20, 2011

Very cool.

I love watching your work (you're very talented)

-A

T L · Jan 20, 2011

VL,
Pretty stone, and thank you for always showing your metal work. I find it very interesting.

MakingTheGrade · Jan 20, 2011

Lovely stone!

You know, I've never previously been into the color purple. But your new spinel, and my new color shift spinel is making me reconsider adding more purple to my collection!

ladyvengeance · Jan 20, 2011

Beautiful stone! Congratulations on your new acquisition!

Indylady · Jan 21, 2011

Nice spinel! I've always wanted one with a 'grape color'. Gorgeous!

chrono · Jan 21, 2011

VL,
A picture cannot capture the essence of the cut; hence Barry’s photography is as accurate as a photograph can possibly be. In real life (3D), there is the play of light which shows the brightness, contrast, sparkle and etc. Sure looks grapey to me although I’m sure it looks better than strained grapes.

Treenbean · Jan 21, 2011

I don't have a rollei but have ALWAYS wanted one. I seriously would love the sl66se that is a serious camera. You rock in so many different ways Vap.

Off to troll the internet for my very own rollei.