On the Wings of Forever – Opal Carving #IOJDAA

Posted on Aug 1, 2015

$1200 – Entry for the 2015 International Opal Jewellery Design Awards in Australia – IOJDAA On the Wings of Forever by Kerry Jo Montoya Coober Pedy opalized shell carving Size: 9 ct and 27x22x3.5 mm Brightness: B5 Bodytone: Light based Available for sale:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/244332933/on-the-wings-of-forever-green-opal One side has a carving of a wing while the other has abstract, flowing...

Read More

A Rose by the Sea – Opal Carving #IOJDAA

Posted on Aug 1, 2015

$1200 – Entry for the 2015 International Opal Jewellery Design Awards in Australia – IOJDAA A Rose by the Sea by Kerry Jo Montoya Coober Pedy opalized shell carving Size: 21.6 ct and 28x22x9 mm Brightness: B4 Bodytone: N7, semi-black Available on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/244329867/a-rose-by-the-sea-opal-carving-semi The front is a rose and I kept the back side as an homage to the shell.  This gorgeous gemstone kept me completely mesmerized while carving....

Read More

TRINITY – Lightning Ridge Black Opal Carving

Posted on Jul 30, 2015

$1200 TRINITY – Lightning Ridge Black Opal Carving 20 ct – 33x29x10 mm Body tone: N3 – The potch is a solid LR Black at N3. Brightness: B2 to B4 – The drop is B2, the triangle is B4, and the spirit wind is B3. I rate the drop at a B2 as it’s harder to see out of the light whereas the other two areas aren’t. But if you’re judging the brightness under the light the drop would have a higher brightness rating. This opal carving comes in a black suspension display box and will show it’s true colors under a display light. The triangle focal point represents the trinity. It’s a bright flash that rolls from blue to teal. 1) The host rock that encases it all represents the Father. 2) The drop at the top represents the blood & tears of the Son. It’s a multicolored pinfire with all colors in it. 3) The glowing blue wave that folds from front to the back represents the wind of the Spirit. From a technical point of view, I was tickled pink to find one stone with three opals in it, each with their own patterns. It truly was three in one.  Please enjoy the video below for the best representation of this gemstone opal...

Read More

World Jade Symposium – Abundance

Posted on Nov 25, 2014

$375 | Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished Sculpture ABUNDANCE by Kerry Jo Montoya, © 2014 Wyoming Nephrite Jade On Balsa Wood Pedestal 5” x 3.5” This is my sculpture entry into the World Jade Symposium 2014. When my first child was born there was a new love birthed that I’d never before experienced.  That love was deeper and more powerful than anything previously known.  It wasn’t until that point that I fully understood the Father’s sacrifice.  This sculpture is my visualization of that moment. I did not mount this piece as it is intended to be held. She fits perfectly in the hand to create a visual and tactile experience that only Jade can bring. Price: $375.00 USD. More Views Thanks so much for reading!  You can revisit any of the previous pages from the links below. Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished...

Read More

World Jade Symposium – Sculpture Creation

Posted on Nov 25, 2014

Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished Sculpture When I moved to a larger scale object I ran into more tool limitations. While I CAN do objects of this size with the tools I have it would be a lot faster and easier if I could have the bits available with 14″ & 18″ shanks. Until I get those, this is pretty much the limit of size for me. Here is the beginning piece of rough. It’s Nephrite Jade from Wyoming. I did not need to slab this as it was formed in a seam and so was already naturally ‘slabbed’. I followed the same process and you saw on my pendant creation page. However as I finished this piece I realized how sweet it was to hold. So I ground out a nice concave surface on the back to help accommodate that. Here you can see my preform along with my initial sketch. After this I just kept refining until I was ready for the final polish.  Click below on Finished Sculpture to continue. Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished...

Read More

World Jade Symposium – Mercy Flows – Bronze Award!

Posted on Nov 25, 2014

$395| Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished Sculpture Finally!  It’s finished!  I’m happy to announce that this entry won a Bronze Award at the 2014 World Jade Symposium! MERCY FLOWS by Kerry Jo Montoya, © 2014 My sin was paid With mighty throes Encased in jade His mercy flows Cross Pendant with .925 Sterling Silver Wrap & 16” Chain Wyoming Nephrite Jade, 72mm x 47 mm Lightning Ridge Black Opal 1.5 ct A few years ago I had a batch of potch & color from Lightning Ridge Australia.  While cutting into the parcel I discovered a very unique streak of opal that you see here in this piece.  I immediate knew what I wanted to do but did not yet have the skills to properly set it.  So I tuck away the gemstone for a later date. Happily the World Jade Symposium presented me with the perfect opportunity to create a very unique & beautiful setting creating a perfect duo of excellence. Price: $395.00 USD More Views     Click below on Sculpture Creation to continue. Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished Sculpture...

Read More