Something other than a diamond please.

August 22nd 2015

Over the last couple of years I have seen an increase in the number of engagement rings I am asked to make that do not use a diamond as the main gemstone. In this past month I have delivered 4 such rings.

Three of them used sapphires and the fourth, which I am sharing with you today, a Harts Range Zircon. Harts Range is located 215km northeast of Alice Springs.

Harts range - Northern Territory. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons

The gemstone was fossicked and cut by a relative of the customer and has great sentimental value to the family. It is a touch over 9mm in diameter and weighs 3.2 carats. In a world where most of the newly found gemstones are treated in some way to enhance colour a gem like this is one of the very few that you can guarantee 100% to be untreated.

The design theme is a halo with an old world touch. A scalloped outside edge given to the halo to give it a flower like shape. The smooth outside edge of the halo was to make the ring less likely to to catch during day to day wear. The inside edge of the halo diamonds were grain set to add a little of that old millgrain look.

Scroll work was then used in the gallery work on the sides. The finishing touch to the ring was a grain set diamond band. The setting was made in 18 carat yellow gold.