Jewellery value: Greenbacks and green amethysts
Sometimes, on blogs I enjoy, I see jewellery featured and I think, Nooooo, not because it isn't pretty, but because I am my mother's daughter. Why, I wonder would you spend $2, 500 that way?
Example: These are new Pomellato earrings, 8mm prasiolite studs set in 18k rose gold. The price on TrueFacet is $US 2,305—okay, if that sum is beer money to you. You do get the Pomellato cachet; they use juicy stones, often in interesting cuts. The bezel setting is cool because you just see the stone on the ear...but still.
Why am I calling this poor value? Prasiolite is also known as "green amethyst", it's a quartz, and nearly all of it is created by heating amethyst or yellow quartz. Amethyst is a very reasonably-priced stone, and though some hoity-toity jewellers avoid the stone, I love it in a rich, grapey hue. Though I hesitate to say prasiolite is "dirt cheap", I would not expect to pay this much for 8mm faceted material.
Pomelatto are owned by Kering, the luxury-goods conglomerate headed by François-Henri Pinault.
Let's drop by Etsy to look at several pairs of green amethyst earrings, also set in gold.
If you want solid 14k rose gold, and do not mind prongs, similar 8mm prasiolite studs are only $US 250 from Etsy seller Teresa Pytell:
If I wanted a pair in that modern bezel, I would be very tempted by the Nepal-based BlackLotusDesigns' crisp, elegant 6mm studs set in 14k yellow gold, for about $US 245.
If you like simple gold or silver settings for earrings or rings, see BlackLotusDesigns "Made to Order" section. You'll also enjoy the jeweller Rachel's story.
When I look at inexpensive stones, I figure, here is where I can get some real estate. I like big stones, and prasiolite is not ruby, so bring it on, honeybunch.
At MarieWoo Designs, I found a pair of graceful gold vermeil branches holding lavish (21 x13mm) marquise prasiolites in a deeper green (I prefer this colour to the paler Pomellatto) for about $US $250, about nine times less.
Now, they are vermeil, but in an earring, vermeil holds up well and Mom says the price difference will pay for that car repair you've been putting off.
Caveats: You'd have to see the earrings to assess the quality: is the colour even? Does the saturation please you? Is the setting substantial and secure? Many jewellers do not, understandably, accept returns on custom orders, so ask to see more photos or ask for the weight of the gold used in the setting.
Should your head be turned by a luxe label, stop and look around. Sometimes the luxury brand does provide elevated design and materials. Then you might open your purse, or patiently wait for your dream piece to show up on a resale site.
This year, the Passage will dress it windows in gems (including pearls, of course) that combine beauty, value and artistic expression—and always, I am interested in your own projects and thoughts.
Example: These are new Pomellato earrings, 8mm prasiolite studs set in 18k rose gold. The price on TrueFacet is $US 2,305—okay, if that sum is beer money to you. You do get the Pomellato cachet; they use juicy stones, often in interesting cuts. The bezel setting is cool because you just see the stone on the ear...but still.
 |
| Photo: TrueFacet.com |
Why am I calling this poor value? Prasiolite is also known as "green amethyst", it's a quartz, and nearly all of it is created by heating amethyst or yellow quartz. Amethyst is a very reasonably-priced stone, and though some hoity-toity jewellers avoid the stone, I love it in a rich, grapey hue. Though I hesitate to say prasiolite is "dirt cheap", I would not expect to pay this much for 8mm faceted material.
Pomelatto are owned by Kering, the luxury-goods conglomerate headed by François-Henri Pinault.
Let's drop by Etsy to look at several pairs of green amethyst earrings, also set in gold.
If you want solid 14k rose gold, and do not mind prongs, similar 8mm prasiolite studs are only $US 250 from Etsy seller Teresa Pytell:
 |
| Photo: Teresa Pytell on Etsy |
If I wanted a pair in that modern bezel, I would be very tempted by the Nepal-based BlackLotusDesigns' crisp, elegant 6mm studs set in 14k yellow gold, for about $US 245.
 |
| Photo: BlackLotusDesigns on Etsy |
If you like simple gold or silver settings for earrings or rings, see BlackLotusDesigns "Made to Order" section. You'll also enjoy the jeweller Rachel's story.
When I look at inexpensive stones, I figure, here is where I can get some real estate. I like big stones, and prasiolite is not ruby, so bring it on, honeybunch.
At MarieWoo Designs, I found a pair of graceful gold vermeil branches holding lavish (21 x13mm) marquise prasiolites in a deeper green (I prefer this colour to the paler Pomellatto) for about $US $250, about nine times less.
Now, they are vermeil, but in an earring, vermeil holds up well and Mom says the price difference will pay for that car repair you've been putting off.
Caveats: You'd have to see the earrings to assess the quality: is the colour even? Does the saturation please you? Is the setting substantial and secure? Many jewellers do not, understandably, accept returns on custom orders, so ask to see more photos or ask for the weight of the gold used in the setting.
Should your head be turned by a luxe label, stop and look around. Sometimes the luxury brand does provide elevated design and materials. Then you might open your purse, or patiently wait for your dream piece to show up on a resale site.
This year, the Passage will dress it windows in gems (including pearls, of course) that combine beauty, value and artistic expression—and always, I am interested in your own projects and thoughts.
Comments
"Beauty, value and artistic expression" - another wonderful year ahead!
Denise: You will be unlikely to a similar ring from retail vendors, they would get slapped with a lawsuit.
So, you could find a jeweller who can custom-make a ring "inspired" by the Sabbia. It is not a terrific technical challenge and unlike other rings Pomellato make, it does not have a hard-to-source style of cut, like the Nudo' buff-top/checkerboard. Basically it's a plaque with pavé.
Another option is to ask Nancy Revy at Beladora to keep her eye out for the Sabbia in the resale market; they carry Pomellato on their site. Beladora.com.
https://annesportun.com/products/diamond-stardust-disc-ring/
and also other rings in the Stardust collection. Anne also makes custom pieces.
The particular setting Pomelattto use, however, is technically more demanding, and requires stones cut specifically for that. Think about it; the stone has to be shaped a bit like a mushroom so the bezel holds only the lower part of the stone, with the top very slightly larger, so the stone seems to float on the ear. That kind of detail is what separates the pleasing from the innovative.
I so appreciate your knowledge, and your generosity in sharing it with us.
hugs,
janice
https://www.facebook.com/SoniaBormannD/
Does not seem to be a shop web site or e-store, so maybe a visit to PV is an idea. I'd sure like to see what you chose, liked what I could see on the site. The pearls you bought I am guessing are probably Chinese? The only native pearls to Mexico are Sea of Cortez, as expensive as the finest South Seas.