What would you do with these star sapphires?

[glitterata]

I took a chance on a pair of star sapphire cufflinks based on not-so-great photos.

I'm very pleased with the sapphires. They're natural, reasonably transparent, and over 8 carats apiece, with a moody, faded-blue-denim color, good depth, nice stars, and interesting imperfections.

I'll need to reset them, though, since they slide around in the settings like little fish. (That's why the stars look uncentered in some of the photos/videos--they're actually well centered, but the stones don't always point the right way.)

The sun was not cooperating today, but I got a few photos and video when it briefly peeked out from the clouds. Here they are with my favorite star sapphire ring, an antique stickpin conversion:



The cufflink sapphires are not a perfect match--one is a little taller, rounder, and bluer, and the other has a slightly sharper star, more prominent stripes of silk, and a yellow iron stain on one side at the back. They're pretty close, though. In the photo above, one looks much bigger than the other, but in real life they're actually very close to each other in size. And they're significantly bigger than the stone in the ring, which is not as deep/tall, even though it looks like it's the same size in the photo.

The stone with the yellow stain:

https://imgur.com/a/FdbQdF0

The bluer stone:

https://imgur.com/a/4Bs9uP0

https://imgur.com/a/e5dwbOg

Oh, and this photo shows the current settings (taken in artificial light--they sapphires are not really this dark):



How would you set these, jewelry friends? DH doesn't wear cufflinks. They would make handsome earrings, but then I wouldn't get to see the stars.

Suggestions?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Wow they are amazing! I would do a toi et moi perhaps? Or a cuff style bracelet. Definitely need to see them as they are such deep jelly beans

 

[LilAlex]

Two separate rings for sure. Unless they are mounted coplanar, which does not suit a ring, the stars will almost never both show at the same time so I'm thinking separate pieces.

I agree that stars on earrings (or even pendants) will seldom shine unless you're caught in the headlights...

Then there's always: cigarette case; lighter; precious-metal pen cap...

Lang has a vintage tiny Cartier (?) solid gold picture frame with a cab ruby in each upper corner...

 

[Starstruck8]

Great find!

Two separate rings for sure. Unless they are mounted coplanar, which does not suit a ring, the stars will almost never both show at the same time so I'm thinking separate pieces.

Yes, you would want 'coplanar' mounting to keep the stars aligned, so to speak. But that can be designed in. See pic. In the toi et moi on the right, I insisted that both stones be set level. Same for the head of the 'snake' ring on the left.


The trick is to have a high shoulder and to make the setting thinner towards the tip. See pics of side view. (The snake ring is similar but more extreme.)


You could apply the same idea to a cuff bracelet, to be worn with the opening on the visible side.

That said, the stones don't quite match but are not very different. This could be a problem for a toi et moi. Again, you may be able to design around this.

Then there's always: cigarette case; lighter; precious-metal pen cap...

If you want off-the-wall, you could use them in a handbag clasp, one stone on each side. No one would have one like it...

After all that, maybe two separate rings. You could make them similar, to be worn one on each hand, so the mismatch would not be less obvious. Or you could make them very different.

 

[Dreamer_D]

ToI et moi rings often have differently shaped stones. And ninjas seen many multi-stone rings with stars sapphires that get around the issues you raise. It is possible.

 

[LilAlex]

And ninjas seen many multi-stone rings with stars sapphires...

I do love a good ninja star but proper training is important to avoid self-injury.

 

[Starstruck8]

ToI et moi rings often have differently shaped stones. And ninjas seen many multi-stone rings with stars sapphires that get around the issues you raise. It is possible.

The possible issue with toi et moi is this: Identical (or almost identical) stones are fine. Clearly different stone are fine (as in my example). The problem arises if the stones are a bit different, but not different enough. Are they 'trying' to look the same (and failing)? Or are they trying to look different (and also failing)? But maybe this issue could be avoided with suitable design.

This is @Ionysis's wonderful 3-stone star sapphire ring. The smaller side stones are not set level. But I doubt that this would work so well with two very similar stones. I love the 'crown of thorns'/'dragon claw' setting idea. This could be worth copying or adapting.

Finally got it set.

No diamonds. Just plain white gold. Casual.

I call it my “crown of thorns” ring.

 

[glitterata]

Wow, so much to think about! I love the outside-the-box suggestions. I don't smoke, and I lose pens, but setting them in nonjewelry items is very intriguing.

I do have a small collection of vintage purses with jade clasps, including this one with a carved amethyst clasp and jade ornaments (antique Chinese hairpins) on top:









And this one with jade on the top and a cornelian clasp:





A star sapphire purse frame/clasp is definitely an idea. It would be a big craft project, especially since I would have to find or make the body of the purse, but it would be so unusual and cool.

Can you think of other nonjewelry ideas? Pillbox, perfume flask cap, something to do with cellphones? Tea caddy finial? Parasol handle? (But the handle would never see the sun--it would have to be mounted on top of the parasol, I guess.) Ideally it would be something I carry and use every day, and which could be attached to me somehow so I don't lose it. Hm...keyring? Earbud case? Somehow attach them to a pair of earbuds, so I would have stars in my ears while listening to podcasts?

I ADORE @Ionysis's ring, but I agree with @Starstruck8 that these two stones would be hard to set together in a toi-et-moi ring. The different shapes wouldn't bother me so much, but I do think the close-but-no-cigar color mismatch would bother me in a ring. I could use one of them in a toi-et-moi with a different stone, maybe some other phenomenal stone (e.g., a cat's eye), but I don't have anything suitable to hand.

I like the bracelet idea. If only metal prices weren't so high.

 

[Neptune]

Can I pls see more of your star sapphire ring, beautiful metal work!

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

Beautiful! I love the dome on your star sapphires! I agree a killer bracelet or even a pendant. I have considered setting one of mine in a pendant, so maybe I may be a bit biased. But on a bit longer chain so I can admire every once in a while..

Anything you create will look stunning with those Chonky beauties!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Wow, so much to think about! I love the outside-the-box suggestions. I don't smoke, and I lose pens, but setting them in nonjewelry items is very intriguing.

I do have a small collection of vintage purses with jade clasps, including this one with a carved amethyst clasp and jade ornaments (antique Chinese hairpins) on top:









And this one with jade on the top and a cornelian clasp:





A star sapphire purse frame/clasp is definitely an idea. It would be a big craft project, especially since I would have to find or make the body of the purse, but it would be so unusual and cool.

Can you think of other nonjewelry ideas? Pillbox, perfume flask cap, something to do with cellphones? Tea caddy finial? Parasol handle? (But the handle would never see the sun--it would have to be mounted on top of the parasol, I guess.) Ideally it would be something I carry and use every day, and which could be attached to me somehow so I don't lose it. Hm...keyring? Earbud case? Somehow attach them to a pair of earbuds, so I would have stars in my ears while listening to podcasts?

I ADORE @Ionysis's ring, but I agree with @Starstruck8 that these two stones would be hard to set together in a toi-et-moi ring. The different shapes wouldn't bother me so much, but I do think the close-but-no-cigar color mismatch would bother me in a ring. I could use one of them in a toi-et-moi with a different stone, maybe some other phenomenal stone (e.g., a cat's eye), but I don't have anything suitable to hand.

I like the bracelet idea. If only metal prices weren't so high.

now your creative juices are flowing

 

[stracci2000]

Those purses!!!
I agree, you'll ever get a double sapphire ring with the stars aligned.
I would make a ring and and pendant.
Cool find!!!

 

[glitterata]

Can I pls see more of your star sapphire ring, beautiful metal work!

Neptune--Beautiful Lady of the Beautiful Stones--thank you for asking!

I posted about this ring in the big star-sapphire thread, here:

Post in thread 'Show your Star sapphires and rubies'

Jul 21, 2023

Adding my latest star sapphire, an Edwardian stickpin conversion. The pin had already been snipped off when I got it; my jeweler found an empty antique ring setting that fit it pretty well to add to the back. It's maybe 5 or 5 1/2 carats, nicely transparent blue-gray, with some zoning (a transparent stripe). The star is sharper in person--it's hard to get a good photo.

• glitterata

• 
• 

It's one of my very favorite rings. I couldn't believe my luck when I found it (that is, found the stickpin that my jeweler converted into the ring) at a flea market. The seller insisted it was a moonstone and sold it to me for a moonstone price. I did tell her it was a star sapphire, but she didn't believe me. I still feel a little guilty about that.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Neptune--Beautiful Lady of the Beautiful Stones--thank you for asking!

I posted about this ring in the big star-sapphire thread, here:

Post in thread 'Show your Star sapphires and rubies'

Jul 21, 2023

Adding my latest star sapphire, an Edwardian stickpin conversion. The pin had already been snipped off when I got it; my jeweler found an empty antique ring setting that fit it pretty well to add to the back. It's maybe 5 or 5 1/2 carats, nicely transparent blue-gray, with some zoning (a transparent stripe). The star is sharper in person--it's hard to get a good photo.

• glitterata

• 
• 

It's one of my very favorite rings. I couldn't believe my luck when I found it (that is, found the stickpin that my jeweler converted into the ring) at a flea market. The seller insisted it was a moonstone and sold it to me for a moonstone price. I did tell her it was a star sapphire, but she didn't believe me. I still feel a little guilty about that.

dont feel guilty
you rescued it and gave it a 2nd life
it is very fortunate to have found you and your jeweler

 

[Neptune]

Neptune--Beautiful Lady of the Beautiful Stones--thank you for asking!

I posted about this ring in the big star-sapphire thread, here:

Post in thread 'Show your Star sapphires and rubies'

Jul 21, 2023

Adding my latest star sapphire, an Edwardian stickpin conversion. The pin had already been snipped off when I got it; my jeweler found an empty antique ring setting that fit it pretty well to add to the back. It's maybe 5 or 5 1/2 carats, nicely transparent blue-gray, with some zoning (a transparent stripe). The star is sharper in person--it's hard to get a good photo.

• glitterata

• 
• 

It's one of my very favorite rings. I couldn't believe my luck when I found it (that is, found the stickpin that my jeweler converted into the ring) at a flea market. The seller insisted it was a moonstone and sold it to me for a moonstone price. I did tell her it was a star sapphire, but she didn't believe me. I still feel a little guilty about that.

Girl, what a happy ending! Thanks for sharing.

I'm currently on a Victor Horta kick so loving anything with fluid lines. Recently tried on a Louis Comfort Tiffany ring, Gosh, I'm totally hooked on the "not fancy but VERY fancy" design/craftmanship vibe. Not sure if you understand what I mean...haha.

 

[glitterata]

Girl, what a happy ending! Thanks for sharing.

I'm currently on a Victor Horta kick so loving anything with fluid lines. Recently tried on a Louis Comfort Tiffany ring, Gosh, I'm totally hooked on the "not fancy but VERY fancy" design/craftmanship vibe. Not sure if you understand what I mean...haha.

Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean.