Going to Fogcon and Spinels

[laurieopal]

I’m looking forward to being at Fogcon in 2 weeks. I’ll get to see many people who are local to where I live, that I don’t see often enough. I have a collection for Fogcon that I’m really happy with. And should also have some stunning stones from my lapidaries.

The photo is of vivid yellow art deco spinels (synthetic) with a vintage cut that is typical of the period. They originally belonged to  a jeweler in the thirties and were never set.

I had been using them very sparingly up to here. But these are now going into a necklace that has been a somewhat long term project.

I’m working on a tanzanite ring today that has one large and three small brilliant stones that will be set in leaf and vine setting that will (I think) be backed by a pieced surface. It’s a somewhat different direction for me and, of course, that makes me happy.

The quince in my garden is in steady flower bloom that I love. It lasts a couple of months. It usually blooms in February and our unseasonable cold hasn't discouraged it. I've made lots of plum blossoms over the years. (They also bloom in my garden.)  And I've made cherry blossoms but never quince. I think i need to make something with them given how much i love them.

The spinels below are a far more vivid yellow than the photograph. The large ones are about 1" wide and the little ones 3/16". The necklace will be rather spectacular.

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