Tag Archives: Argentium Silver

Sonoran Sunset or Sonoran Sunrise – A New and Interesting Gemstone

Posted on by
Sonoran Sunset or Sonoran Sunrise Pendant with Sterling Silver and Argentium Silver

a 30mm x 22mm Sonoran Sunset free form cabochon set into a five strand 22 gauge 1/2 hard square sterling silver and 21 gauge 1/2 hard half round Argentium Silver bezel setting.

This lovely design features a Sonoran Sunset or Sonoran Sunrise cabochon I set with a five strand Sterling Silver and Argentium Silver bezel setting. Sornoran Sunset/Sunrise is a new gemstone that is a combination of Cuprite (the red part of the stone) and Chrysocolla (the blue/green color of the stone). There can also be a third color – black. This is a copper oxide.

The Milpillas Mine has been mining Sonoran Sunset/Sunrise material since 2006. The mine is located in Northern Mexico. Since the Millpillas Mine is very small, it may only have a life of 11 years or so.  Once the mine closes, there will not be any more Sonoran Sunset.   Enjoy!

A Different Type of Boulder Opal

Posted on by

As you may know, by now, I love designing settings for un-drilled gemstones and cabochons.  A cabochon is a stone that is cut so it’s flat on one side and not usually polished.  The other side of the stone is finished and usually has curved angles from the bottom of the stone towards the center.  This characteristic allows the stone setter, me in this case, to easily set the stone in metal.

I like to use metal wire for my metal stone settings: Sterling Silver (.925 Silver), Argentium Silver (.930 Silver), 14kt Gold-Filled, and 14kt Gold.  With this said, this post is about a setting for a Boulder Opal. This Boulder Opal isn’t from Australia.  This stone is from Guatemala.  I didn’t know Boulder Opals could come from other places.  I learn something new every day.

I used 22 gauge Argentium Silver 1/2 hard square wire.  Notice the unique shape of the stone.  It’s triangular with rounded corners.  Instead of setting the stone at a straight angle, I chose to set it just off of the angle.  I think it gives the stone a softer appearance.  If you would like to see this stone in person, you can visit my friend Carol Garsten at Nature Gallery in Downtown Los Altos, CA., at –

296 State Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
650 327 8700

Once again, I hope you enjoy viewing this design creation as much as I enjoyed making it. By the way, I’ve attached before the setting and after the setting images for your viewing pleasure.

Guatemalan Boulder Opal Before Setting for Nature Gallery

Guatemalen Bould Opal For Nature GalleryCheers and Happy Super Bowl 50!!!!

 

Lovely Laguna Agate

Posted on by

Hi,

Today’s post features a very lovely example of the gemstone – Laguna Agate.

This stone comes from  Northern Mexico.  It is known for the vibrant bands of color running through the stone.  Note the striking pools and dashed lines of red, pink, and gray.  This stone is a 40x22mm cabochon that I bezel set with four strands of 22 gauge 1/2 hard square sterling silver wire and 1/2 hard half-round Argentium silver wire.  I completed the setting with decorative spirals at the top of the stone and a hand-made bail.  Suspending this design, from a sterling silver snake chain, would be a lovely way to showcase this signature piece.  If interested in purchasing this piece, you can buy it on the “Design Gallery” page.  Or, contact me at: tracy@eveolutionjewelry.com.

Enjoy!

Deep Blue Pietersite

Posted on by
Blue Pietersite Set in Sterling Silver and Argentium Silver Wire

A lovely 30x22mm deep Blue Pietersite is artisan bezel set in four strands of Sterling Silver and Argentium Silver wire

The gemstone known as Pietersite was discovered by Sid Pieters in 1964 while he was prospecting in Namibia, Africa.  Pietersite is a very lovely quartz gemstone and can also be known as Eagle’s Eye.  This lovely example shows a deep blue color.  There is also a striking golden bronze hue.  For this design, I used four strands of Sterling Silver 1/2 hard 22 gauge wire and incorporated five Argentium Silver 1/2 hard 1/2 round wraps to form the bezel setting.  Note the decorative spirals at the top and a double bail to suspend this lovely piece from a chain or cord.  I hope you enjoy viewing and learning about it as much as I enjoyed making it.  To purchase this design, contact me at: tracy@eveolutionjewelry.com.  Thanks!

Welcome!

Posted on by
Multi-Color Flower Agate for Kristy

Flower Agate Cabochon Set in 5 Strands of Sterling Silver Wire

Thanks for stopping by to visit my Eveolution Jewelry blog…My jewelry designs are all about the stories behind the art – As time moves forward, I will feature a new jewelry design. I’ll include a description of the item, the inspiration that guided the design, and points of interest.

Now, for the story about this lovely Agate and Silver wire-wrapped pendant.  Friends of ours live in New Mexico.  One day, we stopped by (O.K. – we flew from the Northern California Bay Area, rented an SUV, and drove to visit our friends living in a small town close by Santa Fe.  While checking out some lovely rocks sitting in a shallow bowl, in the dining room area, I found this lovely Agate cabochon.  I asked if I could borrow it and make a setting for it?  Of course, my friend Kristy said.  My lovely friend, Kristy, got this great pendant, and my husband Kelly and I picked up and adopted a very cute and sweet sighthound-mix dog named Izzy.  Kristy and her husband rescued and rehabilitated Izzy from a dog fighting ring environment.  I am not making this up!  One never knows where a rock will lead you…

With this said, I hope you enjoy this first, very special design and I welcome you back, anytime, to view the design gallery. My intricate plan, yeah – right, is to add a new design image once every month or two.  While I love jewelry design, I do have another business, Iron Dragonfly Inc., that provides accounting, bookkeeping, and small business coaching to a number of clients.  This business does take up a certain number of hours in my day, week month.  We will see if I can meet this lofty goal. In the meantime, enjoy!!!!