[Jewelry making - Article 00643] - Re: [Orchid] Gemstones for Antique Platinum Filigree ring

[Helen Hill]

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Hi AT,

    Congratulations on your engagement, I can imagine how excited you
    must be. I bet your left hand has never been so much in the limelight
    if my own engagement was anything to go by! 

    A good quality peridot is goreous if you like the citrus to olive
    colour. I have bought inexpensive peridot gems but I've also bought
    and set a trillion cut lab certified peridot of higher value and it
    is an absolutely gorgeous, intoxicating stone. As for other green
    gems, the Tsavorite you mention is a beautiful and rare gem and
    definitely worth considering. Also you might consider a demantoid
    garnet which has a beautiful green colour and more "fire" (or
    dispersion) than a diamond. The stones with a lighter body colour
    have higher dispersion whereas the deeper green ones have less - it
    depends what you prefer, colour or fire. They are considered a clean
    stone as far as clarity is concerned but can have "horsetail",
    feathery natural inclusions under magnification. 

    As far as the Moh's scale is concerned, all the stones mentioned
    including the demantoid garnet have a similar hardness rating in the
    range of 6.5-7.5. If I were you I would enjoy the experience of
    pricing up all the gem types you like in the size/carat weight
    you're talking about and take your time making such an important and
    significant decision. Maybe some of the lapidaries on this list will
    offer up some advice for you. As your peridot will have a great deal
    of sentimental attachment for you because your fiance chose it for
    you, you may consider having it mounted in a pendant (or mounting it
    yourself of course), where it will get less wear and tear than in a
    ring. 

    As for whether to change the stone now, I'm also in two minds. My
    first instinct was yes to get the stone changed at the same time
    because of the age of the ring and chance that the prongs need some
    attention. But then again, if you do that, you may have more limited
    funds to buy a replacement stone due to having to pay for resizing
    and retipping, etc. I'd price up some stones anyway and it may well
    be that you'll be able to afford it all in one go. Sorry not much
    help on that score. 

Helen
UK
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