TRINITY – Lightning Ridge Black Opal Carving
$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 MoreWorld Jade Symposium – Mercy Flows – Bronze Award!
$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 MoreWorld Jade Symposium – Pendant Creation
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...
Read MoreWorld Jade Symposium – Getting Started
Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished Sculpture Vancouver, BC Nov 21-23. This is my journey. It was a LOT harder than I expected and I spent WAY too many hours and too much $$ on this. LOL But I am a artistically driven fool so… 😉 I ran by my local lapidary shop and found a nice supply of some old nephrite jade from Wyoming, US. The owners father collected these a long time ago. Even the stickers were yellow with age. I lost track of time browsing through the treasure trove there but luckily I was able to find a few pieces that I deemed worthy before they kicked me out. 😀 The next day I grabbed a few of the smaller pieces, started up my Dremel flexshaft and got to work testing out the material. Let me tell you, I really like working in jade! I’m a very tactile and jade fills my senses. It’s visually beautiful. It has a luxurious feel to it. AND it has a very delightful chime sound when clicked. I was hooked. Then I set them and posted them to Etsy. Next I wanted to try my hand at carving so I made this wing. (Also on Etsy) I love my wing. It worked great and let me know that I really COULD do this! BUT, once I pushed my attempts further I run into the limitations of my tools. The problems I ran into was that the Dremel creates a lot of chatter on the stone making it difficult. It also has less torque than is recommended for lapidary work creating unrealistic time requirements for me. But most importantly was that it seriously limited me on size. I mean, think about it. The largest cutting disk I could find was 2″. That means I’ve only one an inch before my cut is stopped by the mandrel. It just wasn’t going to work. So I began my search for tools. Click below on The Tools to continue. Getting Started | The Tools | Pendant Creation | Finished Pendant | Sculpture Creation | Finished...
Read MoreAussie Double Opal Pendant
$125 Original handcrafted artisan jewelry by artist KJ Montoya Lightning Ridge Double Opal Pendant on 16″ Sterling Chain This double opal necklace has a Lightning Ridge Crystal Opal on top with a Lightning Ridge Black Opal on the bottom set in Sterling Silver on a 16″ Sterling chain. Both opals are gem quality. The delicate movement and bright colors create a stunning piece of jewelry that will make any woman happy. This will be a fine addition to any woman’s accessories. $125 plus shipping. kjofineart@cox.net With these brilliant colors this Opal Pendant Necklace would be great hidden inside of an Easter Egg as a gift for your love. Sterling Silver Pendant including the bail is 1″ long. Sterling Silver Chain is 16″ with a lobster claw clasp. Item #:...
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