So umm a few more new gems

[Kismet]

I have no idea how people who buy a stone and then don''t buy another until the first one is set do it. I''ve given myself up as a lost cause.

First up, the zircons. These are 8x6 pears from Master Cut Gems. All these pictures were taken yesterday morning before the sun hit my back deck.

 

[Kismet]

Facing the other way.

 

[Kismet]

Dana sent along 5 3.5mm round zircons as well. He thought they might be useful in my earring design. They look a *bit* lighter than the pears but I think that''s mainly because of size.

 

[Kismet]

And here are the pears and rounds together.

 

[Kismet]

Next up a 3.48 ct 10x8.5mm pink tourmaline (copper bearing). It''s looking rather magenta pink out here in the shade.

 

[Kismet]

A bit further away to give a bit of perspective.

 

[Kismet]

On a spare bit of cotton I had (still on the shady back deck).

 

[Kismet]

I wasn''t happy with how the pictures were coming out so I took it on a little walk. This is still on the back deck but over in one corner were there was a bit of sun. Still not right.

 

[Kismet]

I tried it inside.. this required the flash.

 

[Kismet]

This is with the (sunny) front door open but my hand is out of the sunlight. Now that''s more like it.

 

[Kismet]

And by the front door again.

 

[Kismet]

Dana also sent me a few more freebies. This is a .45ct cat''s eye alexandrite. It''s pretty translucent and the eye is quite nice. I can never the redder color to appear in my pictures though.

 

[Kismet]

Another of the alex.

 

[Meher Thakker]

lovely bright purple shade...

Meher

 

[Kismet]

Some carved tourmaline leaves. He also included a carved rose but for some reason it''s not in this picture.

 

[Kismet]

Here''s the whole set but not a very good picture of it at all.

 

[Kismet]

This is a pair of Merelani grossular garnets. They''re a lovely pale yellow with a hint of green. I don''t think my pictures captured them very well.

 

[Kismet]

And another of the garnets.

 

[ma re]

Very nice stones, especially those...carved leaves (I know, I''m a freak, everybody prefers bling...)

P. S. Round cut might also have something with washing out the color of zircons - it''s more brilliant than the pear cut and usually reflects more light so you end up with a lighter stone (but size is a factor too, of course).

 

[T L]

Kismet,
Nice stones, I really like that new pink tourmaline as well!!

Wow, Dana sent you a free 1/2 carat alexandrite!!??

 

[SB621]

I love the zircons!! They have a beautiful sky blue color. I just made my first purchase from Dana so I''m *trying* to wait patiently.

 

[mariedtiger]

Lovely, that tourmaline is TDF, if it''s the one I think, I was drooling over it on Dana''s site.

 

[cushioncutnut]

Very pretty! ...and free gems to boot!!! I am loving the zircons and the tourmaline!

 

[cellentani]

Very nice gems, Kismet - must have been a lot of fun opening that box! Can''t wait to see your earring design.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Lovely!

 

[Cind11]

Those are all very pretty stones! I particulary like the zircons and the tourmaline leaves.

 

[Fly Girl]

What a great package of gems, Kismet! I love the pink tourmaline; the way the color splits into red and lavender is so cool. Also love the tourmaline carvings, the blue zircon pears, and the cat's eye alex. Awesome.

Looking forward to your zircon earring design.

 

[m76steve]

try taking pics with a incandecent biulb-like a 25-40 wt bulb-cheap from almost any store-u should a slight reddish color w/the catseye-enjoy...

 

[m76steve]

sorry 4 the misspell-this is 4 ur alex catseye-use a 25-40wt light bulb-dont use a flourescent bulb- use an incandecent bulb-again...looks like a nice stone...

 

[Nomsdeplume]

Oh my word they are all so beautiful! I''m so jealous!