Hi Stonebender

[kenny]

I LOVE the piece in your avatar.
Did you make it?
Can you tell me more about it?

 

[Kim Bruun]

Just chiming in - that is indeed very nice. And rather masculine. I love the idea of wearing coloured stones as a guy - I don't care if I never own an expensive wrist watch, but I do love wearing my tsavorite!

 

[kenny]

I was considering placing a dozen FCDs in some masculine piece.

 

[Quantz Studios]

Thank you Kenny, and Kim! Yes I made that. It's Mom's now. I made that in my first jewelry class at my local community college, fall 2010. I dont know how much I am allowed to tell you and if I'm allowed to post more pictures, or links to more, according to the rules, since I technically am a trade member- lapidary and jewelry.

But its fabricated from 16ga. sterling sheet. I made a special jig to get the bend just right on the bottom- you can't see it in the picture. The sterling and copper Mokume Gane piece is up on pegs attached to the back, so its "floating" in the opening. The stone is a 1.52ct. spess. cut by Barry before he took over ACstones.

 

[chrono]

Awesome work! It is very difficult to believe it is your first piece because the quality looks very good and well made.

 

[Quantz Studios]

Thank you Chrono! It's not my first piece. It's my sixth piece ever, but made in my first semester of jewelry class.

 

[chrono]

All right, so it's the fifth piece but who's counting? It's still excellent and the design is incredibly unique. If I ever dabbled in jewellery making, I am very sure my fifth piece will look like some weirdly shaped lump.

 

[Quantz Studios]

I only know the piece number because it was so early in me making jewelry, and I stamped it with it's sequential "serial number". Otherwise I would have had to think about it. lol Thank you very much for the compliment! It's one my favorites of my creations. If I could, I'd show off the rest of my pieces. I only have about 10 pieces under my belt, but I really enjoy it.

 

[chrono]

I see that you are in the trade. Are you a lapidary? So you cut stones for sale? You also mentioned jewellery. Does that mean you also set the cut stones?

 

[Quantz Studios]

Yes, faceted stones, cabochons, intarsia- I do it all. Jewelry too, but mostly stones. I'm pretty much a new guy in the trade though. I dont have a site, I dont have much available. Right now I mainly do jobs by word of mouth and stuff on commission.

 

[kenny]

It is very very appealing to me.
You are talented.

 

[Quantz Studios]

I'm glad you like it Kenny, thank you.

 

[cm366]

Good eye, Kenny - Stonebender, that piece is lovely!

 

[Quantz Studios]

Thank you.

 

[NKOTB]

Kenny, I don't think I'm violating any policies by directing you to Ryan's website. I bought a lovely blue opal that he faceted, and he has been very nice to deal with. http://www.etsy.com/shop/RyanQuantzStudios

 

[Starzin]

I too have admired that stunning piece from afar - keep up the good work Ryan!

 

[Lee Little]

Hi Ryan,
Good to see you again, it's been awhile. Keep up the good work, Lee