Rhodonite Pendant & Earrings

[akansan]

I finished this set for my customer that wanted a pink pendant with a tail.  When she chose her cab, she mentioned how she'd love matching earrings.  I had a bit more Rhodonite the same shade of pink (never realized the variation in pinks in rhodonite!), so I cut two more teeny cabs.  I should have checked my wire supply before agreeing to the earrings, though, as the only 24g wire I had was round half-hard.  My fingers hurt from manipulating it!



The picture is bad - I had to grab a real quick picture on the way out the door to deliver. 

[Steel and Stone]

They came out really nice I'm sure she will be tickled.

[Taogem]

Beautiful !

Yes, the Rhononite does have different appearances. I don't care for the stuff that has the black in it. I think yours are a very nice pink.

I have not been putting the energy into making jewelry like I should be. Can't wait until I become consistent and am good enough that can sell some pieces with my stones.

To be able and cut our own stones and make jewelry from them....... Well, what else can we ask for?

Nice matching set !

[Bluesssman]

Very nice! I really like the rhodonite, especially the one in the pendant.

[akansan]

Thanks guys.  This was my first time working with Rhodonite, and I was working with small nuggets instead of slabs.  Ever single one of the nuggets were just black on the outside, so the color of the pendant was pretty much luck.  I honestly thought she'd choose the Rhodocrosite cab I showed her, but she really liked the brown at the top of this Rhodonite. (Why do these pink stones both begin with Rh?)

Tao - I never thought  I was ready to actually sell my jewelry until I started working with these ladies.  It surprised me that they were so attracted to pieces I still considered pretty rough.  Having people want to purchase the pieces really forces you to get them to a level you feel comfortable seeing them on other people's necks.  It was more a mental place in my mind, I think.

Now, my metal work still needs LOTS of work before I ever consider selling that. ;)

[bobby1]

A really striking set and a great polish on the rhodonite!
Bob

[theimage1]

Rhodo comes from the Greek meaning "rose". So it gets its name from the color red-pink.
Rhodonite is a manganese silicate, and rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate.

The carbonate tends to have more character in cabochons with many possible patterns. It forms in stalactites with wonderful bulls-eye patterns. It usually comes in pink and white but may sometimes have psilomelane (a manganese oxide associated with it.) Some of the best in the world comes from Colorado and is nearly a pure red and sometimes clear enough to facet.

Rhodonite is much harder and wears better. It is often found with a black matrix that looks a bit like spider webs. Clear crystals for faceting are extremely rare and can easily sell for $1000/ct. It is usually found in massive deposits and less often as crystals.

[Raqy]

Lovely set.. your metal work is fine.  You have a very elegant flare to your work. Pretty!

Raquel

[idrockman]

What a great set, don't put yourself down.  I know we all are harder on ourselves than others are, but hey take those complements when you can.

-Brad