Author Topic: Loose gemstone gift idea  (Read 5256 times)

Anti-ComplainyPants

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Loose gemstone gift idea
« on: January 15, 2014, 09:09:35 AM »
Yeah you're right, I'm not sure the MMM Forum is the perfect place for this question either.

BUT! I have learned that you people are friggin brilliant, and have many different experiences from which I can learn. That is why I seek your advice today.

I have a small, cut, loose Amethyst that I've had since I was a little kid. I don't know why my parents gave it to me (other than it's my birthstone?), but I've had it forever and it's always sat in a box. I thought a nice Valentine's Day gift would be to somehow incorporate it into a piece of jewelry for my girlfriend, complete with the story of how I've always had it and mushy stuff like that.

I'm thinking I might have it placed in a nice, simple necklace; but I have no idea what that would entail, or what other possibilities there are. My only instinct is to walk in a jewelry store and ask, but I would not trust that jeweler to not simply try to sell me an expensive idea (whereas I would fully trust a jeweler offering advice here on this forum).

Any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks again, fellow Mustacians! (Or Mustacians-in-training, like me)

rubybeth

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Re: Loose gemstone gift idea
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2014, 09:23:37 AM »
You could have an Etsy seller set it into a simple silver pendant for you. It'd likely be a lot cheaper than a local jeweler.

I've used this seller to set a loose stone before: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CHenry

And I've also communicated with this seller about ideas for projects: https://www.etsy.com/shop/onegarnetgirl

There are tons of sellers that do custom design work. They typically need to know the size of the loose gemstone, and I'd recommend using argentium silver vs. regular sterling silver since sterling will tarnish over time.

SwordGuy

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Re: Loose gemstone gift idea
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2014, 10:00:09 AM »
I'm learning to make jewelry.  I'll make some thing to put it in for cost of materials.

It will save both of us some money - you in labor and me in practice materials.

Terms of Business:

0) We agree ahead of time on a pendant, ring, brooch, necklace, etc.
1) We agree ahead of time on a material's cost budget.  You pay shipping both ways.
2) We agree ahead of time on the value of the stone.
3) If I break the stone I'll replace it with a similar one.  I haven't broken one yet, but I'm a student and there's always a first time.
4) It will be done when it's done.  That might be a week, it might be a year.  It depends on how many times it takes me to get it right.
5) I promise that when I send it to you, I like it.   I make no promises as to whether you like it.
6) You pay when you receive it.




Elaine

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Re: Loose gemstone gift idea
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2014, 10:13:05 AM »
I would recommend going to an estate jewelry store. Often times estate jewelry no longer has a stone in it (I bought a 14k gold, 1930s ring with the stone missing for about $40). Bring the stone with you and have the jeweler weight and measure it- they should be able to help you match it with a piece that is the appropriate size. You may want to do something like have them call you if x,y, or z comes in (like if you only want a ring, then they could call you if one comes in). I would say this is the best route because typically an amethyst isn't very expensive, so doing a custom setting brand new will probably be more money than the stone is worth. If you are doing estate settings, however, you need to make sure that the prongs on the jewelry are in good shape. For this reason I would also recommend shopping for this at a store that does it all (resale, refurbishing, and setting) - that way if something comes in you can just have them do the entire thing.

Anti-ComplainyPants

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Re: Loose gemstone gift idea
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2014, 02:28:11 PM »
Thanks for the great advice!

@rubybeth: I contacted the Etsy seller you recommended and look forward to hearing back.

@SwordGuy: Thanks for the offer, but I'm hoping for something in time for Valentine's Day.

@Elaine: I live in a small town in Mississippi (well, it's one of MS's largest, but still small by my standards) and Google couldn't provide me with any jewelry stores that identify as "estate" jewelry. Any idea how to find one, or what to look for?

SwordGuy

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Re: Loose gemstone gift idea
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2014, 05:47:05 PM »
Not a problem!  I hope you find someone at a price you like and in the timeframe you're looking for.

If not, send me a private message, I might have it ready for you by next Valentine's day...

Elaine

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Re: Loose gemstone gift idea
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2014, 10:08:26 AM »
If they don't call themselves estate jewelry, they may call it used or refashioned. If there's no used jewelry trade in your area you may have to go to a new jewelry place. You could also search estate sales- which are literally when a rich person dies and all their stuff gets sold (furniture, jewelry, etc). Once you know what you're looking for you could try and pick it up at an estate sale- but you'll still have to have someone put the stone in for you.

rubybeth

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Re: Loose gemstone gift idea
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2014, 12:28:46 PM »
I can think of a few other sources if the Etsy route doesn't work out. One thought is that, if you have the hand-eye coordination, you might be able to set the gemstone yourself (you'd need to buy a setting and maybe a special pliers) from a site like this: http://www.firemountaingems.com/Shop/Pendant-Settings You'd need the measurements of the stone to know if it would fit a standard size. Usually a 1 carat round stone will be about 6.5mm, for example.

 

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