The Eon Ring
The Eon Ring was designed around this beautiful chip of neon blue apatite I received a little while ago from one of my stone suppliers. I spent days fiddling with thin bands to set the stone on when finally I realised that for a fairly small chip, it needed to be balanced by something wider.
Finishing is my favourite part of manufacturing because it’s when you get to see your creation finally come to life. I started by giving it a very highly polished finish, which looked great against the neon blue; but did nothing to accentuate the organic detailing around the band. From there I decided to lightly oxidise it, but because I only used luke warm water the oxidisation process went through an oil-slick rainbow effect as it took on. The stone looked incredible against the multi-coloured cobalt/purple/green/grey finish. Unfortunately that kind of patina is very quick to wear off, even if sealed… so I sadly buffed it all back to the moody grey I’d originally intended. Lastly, I stripped the remaining oxidisation from around the stone setting to return it back to it’s bright white finish, adding a depth of contrast between the stone, the setting and the band itself.
I’m so satisfied with the outcome! I feel like I say it each time I produce something new but I do feel that the Eon Ring is my favourite design to date. Although I don’t wear them often, working with stones adds a fantastic challenge when designing jewellery.
Responses ( 9 )
Magnet shared this comment on Jan 27 12 at 4:08 PMI didn’t completely understand the explanation of the process… well I understood it, but I couldn’t really imagine because I have NEVER made my own jewellery. Nonetheless, the result looks lovely.
Miss Ghost shared this comment on Jan 27 12 at 4:13 PM@ Magnet – If it helps illustrate, there’s a little link in the explanation with a picture of the ring in it’s rainbow state! xo
Mary shared this comment on Jan 27 12 at 4:48 PMThis is such a beautiful ring! I love reading about the finishing process too – I think that it’s absolutely fascinating, and it makes me appreciate the end result more as well x
Esz shared this comment on Jan 27 12 at 4:49 PMooh its so nice :-) I love that colour and how rough the stone is too
Cate shared this comment on Jan 27 12 at 10:47 PMThis is absolutely stunning, I love the colour of the stone xoxo
Natalie shared this comment on Jan 28 12 at 2:28 AMIt’s a pity the multicoloured shade won’t ‘stick’, it’s a pretty amazing effect. That being said, I think it may have taken away from the stone. The silver/black really makes the blue pop. I’m so enjoying reading all your jewellery adventures!
O D Y S S E Y shared this comment on Jan 29 12 at 11:29 AMthe color of the stone goes so well with silver. i’m sure the oil slick rainbow effect was stunning, but the end result here is beautiful!
Pinelopi shared this comment on Jan 30 12 at 3:05 AMThe ring is beautiful and I generally love the finish you give to all your creations!
