The first of my commissioned stones to arrive--Green Tourmaline

[Odyssey44]

I commissioned one other first, but it was a 6ish month wait. This is my the very first commissioned stone I have ever laid my hands on! I just got in the mail half an hour ago! It is a 6.36 green tourmaline. It changes in different lighting, but I like all the greens! What do you think? GIF is from vendor.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like the mosssy color, is that what it looks like in person?

 

[Odyssey44]

I like the mosssy color, is that what it looks like in person?

It looks mossy in incandescent light and lighter in CFL light. All the pictures are mine taken just now, except the last one, which is the vendor's video.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Love this earthy shade of green! And the cut... I mean, really. It doesn't get any better than that. Big congrats!!

As an aside, I never loved these moody shades until a PSer posted about a green sapphire she bought from NSC. Anyone remember @crashsle? I absolutely fell in love with it, and now I'm a convert!!

 

[Odyssey44]

Thank you, thank you Autumn! I am very pleased with it! I felt very nervous ok-ing the rough, because I am terrible right now at judging what the finished gem will look like.

 

[Odyssey44]

Here is the rough, and the first time I saw it cut. It looked like an ice cube of pea soup!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thank you, thank you Autumn! I am very pleased with it! I felt very nervous ok-ing the rough, because I am terrible right now at judging what the finished gem will look like.

It's not easy! You really have to trust your cutter. If this from Jeff? He's extremely forthcoming about what to expect.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I get all giddy seeing the rough! It's a perfect bottle green color.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Well I adore the color of moss especially in spring when it has a lime undertone. It grows where I live on the West Coast of Canada. Our yard has so much nestled among the grass.

I saw you are newer to colored gem collection. I like how you are getting started with a bang!

How will you set it?

 

[Odyssey44]

It's not easy! You really have to trust your cutter. If this from Jeff? He's extremely forthcoming about what to expect.

No, not this one, It is from Jordan Wilkins, who I stumbled across on Instagram. I liked his work.

 

[Odyssey44]

Well I adore the color of moss especially in spring when it has a lime undertone. It grows where I live on the West Coast of Canada. Our yard has so much nestled among the grass.

I saw you are newer to colored gem collection. I like how you are getting started with a bang!

How will you set it?

Thank you Dreamer! I am newer, yes. I have learned so very much from all of you. I enjoy going back and reading old posts and looking at old pictures. I almost feel like you all take me shopping. I am focusing on semi-precious right now and will hopefully work my way (and bank account) up to a pink sapphire. I've got about 11 months before I want to get one to mark a big birthday.

I'll set this in a ring, likely platinum. Not sure from there. I have to look at my encyclopedia of inspiration photos that are not organized in any way! haha!

Lime green is probably my favorite green. I love moss too--it is so tranquil. One of my favorite trips was to Victoria, BC. Butchart Gardens was one of the most stunning gardens I have ever seen, and I do a lot of botanical tourism!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thank you Dreamer! I am newer, yes. I have learned so very much from all of you. I enjoy going back and reading old posts and looking at old pictures. I almost feel like you all take me shopping. I am focusing on semi-precious right now and will hopefully work my way (and bank account) up to a pink sapphire. I've got about 11 months before I want to get one to mark a big birthday.

I'll set this in a ring, likely platinum. Not sure from there. I have to look at my encyclopedia of inspiration photos that are not organized in any way! haha!

I love that plan. I also enjoy reading old threads it’s my favourite pastime though now when I do it I inevitably come across my old past self which is always surreal lol

Saving for a special pink is a great plan. I have been collecting small stones obviously but I have a number of high quality sapphires in purple, pink, blue, a ruby, and a chrysoberyl and amethyst and peridot. I want some garnets and tourmaline and spinel though! But from the stones I have I am most impressed by the pink in terms of overall eye catching ability and color stability across lighting. I am also planning to buy myself a larger, special colored gem in the coming few years. Spinel or sapphire, just need some specimens of the former to decide which species I like best. Luckily I have learned I don’t like wearing very large gemstones as I worry about knocking them about. My 4ct star sapphire is as large as I want. So I’m looking for maybe 2-3ct for my special piece. Maybe a pink! I do admire very large stones though. I might get one some day in a semi-precious gem. I like Peridot a lot and would enjoy a huge peridot pendant.

Lime green is probably my favorite green. I love moss too--it is so tranquil. One of my favorite trips was to Victoria, BC. Butchart Gardens was one of the most stunning gardens I have ever seen, and I do a lot of botanical tourism!

I know it well and visit it often! I am privileged to live on the Island. I see you loved it for the flora but they do a Christmas display with lights all through and it’s stunning at night too. The lights emphasize the winter garden and it’s amazing. We have a winter tradition of visiting.

 

[Autumn in New England]

@Dreamer_D Did you see the pink sapphire @Dr_Diesel has for sale... hot pink and right in your preferred carat range!

 

[Odyssey44]

@Dreamer_D Did you see the pink sapphire @Dr_Diesel has for sale... hot pink and right in your preferred carat range!

No! I will have to go see!

 

[Odyssey44]

I love that plan. I also enjoy reading old threads it’s my favourite pastime though now when I do it I inevitably come across my old past self which is always surreal lol

Saving for a special pink is a great plan. I have been collecting small stones obviously but I have a number of high quality sapphires in purple, pink, blue, a ruby, and a chrysoberyl and amethyst and peridot. I want some garnets and tourmaline and spinel though! But from the stones I have I am most impressed by the pink in terms of overall eye catching ability and color stability across lighting. I am also planning to buy myself a larger, special colored gem in the coming few years. Spinel or sapphire, just need some specimens of the former to decide which species I like best. Luckily I have learned I don’t like wearing very large gemstones as I worry about knocking them about. My 4ct star sapphire is as large as I want. So I’m looking for maybe 2-3ct for my special piece. Maybe a pink! I do admire very large stones though. I might get one some day in a semi-precious gem. I like Peridot a lot and would enjoy a huge peridot pendant.



I know it well and visit it often! I am privileged to live on the Island. I see you loved it for the flora but they do a Christmas display with lights all through and it’s stunning at night too. The lights emphasize the winter garden and it’s amazing. We have a winter tradition of visiting.

I find it extremely relaxing to look at gemstones! I mean, sometimes my heart beats harder but otherwise it is a very relaxing ritual I have taken to doing before bed.
I have always liked gemstones and have previously had just a few pieces of jewelry from retail outlets. Then I was lucky enough to to inherit 2 art deco diamond bracelets from my great aunt! Talk about being smitten!!!! I know I should post pictures but they are locked away for the time being. They are a little big for my wrist and I do not want to take out a link. As I get older, I am kind of throwing caution to the wind because there are always bills to pay and money to save, but if I do not start my collection now, I will miss my chance completely. So, I am wholeheartedly subscribing to no time like the present.
From my reading and from @ShinyPink's pink stone recommendations (haha because of course it was her) I knew my first big precious stone had to be a sapphire. But I do not want to mess it up, so I am building the semi-precious collection up now. I want at least one of everything that takes my fancy.

How lucky you are to live on Victoria--it was such a beautiful island and the people seemed so nice. Almost small town nice, even though I know it is not a small town. Thanks for posting the winter pictures--neat to see it in a different season! I love little rituals like that. I love a good Christmas market, European style. Down here in Florida we also go to the gardens to see the holiday palm trees in December. hahahahaha

 

[Odyssey44]

I am so glad I bought ring tweezers. It let's me play with wearing my new stone! Will probably have to cut it off my finger at this point.

I am not usually a fan of color changing stones. If i buy pink, I want pink. But when the green changes to different greens, well that I find mesmerizing. Playing with it in low, low light.




And look how it sparks blue sometimes! Crazy!


I am definitely going to need a low setting.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I am so glad I bought ring tweezers. It let's me play with wearing my new stone! Will probably have to cut it off my finger at this point.

I am not usually a fan of color changing stones. If i buy pink, I want pink. But when the green changes to different greens, well that I find mesmerizing. Playing with it in low, low light.




And look how it sparks blue sometimes! Crazy!


I am definitely going to need a low setting.

It just keeps getting better.

 

[Odyssey44]

It just keeps getting better.

I am happy tonight!! Feels good! I do see what people mean when they say tourmaline gets dirty fast. It is finding every piece of stray lint and cat fluff in the house like a magnet!