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...

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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...

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World Jade Symposium – Pendant Creation

Posted on Nov 25, 2014

Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished Sculpture I started with a slab of Wyoming Nephrite Jade and a black opal from Lightning Ridge, Australia.  I’d cut this opal a long time ago but at that point I didn’t have the setting skills required to use it.  I recognized this as a very special stone so I tucked it away for later use. Here’s the initial layout Here you see the pre-cut along side the planning sketch. And here is the initial preform. After this I proceed with the final revisions and grinding.  Click below on Finished Pendant to continue. Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished...

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