Speaking of stacks....

I love stacking....mostly because I am a little ADD!  I can't wear the same jewelry everyday.  I need versatility, and there is no better way to get that than having a great collection of interchangeable stack rings.  You can mix and match different color combos and change them to match your mood or your look.  No need to commit!! 

Meet my stacks....

Adding green and chocolate gold as soon as I can! Stay tuned....

Sample Stack

I have a new found obsession for chocolate gold and found some friends on the BTD forums who share my love of the illusive yummy chocolate gold.  Trying to help a friend come up with a great chocolate gold stack....forgive the editing crudeness.

Join the chocolate gold chatter @ 

http://betterthandiamond.com/discussion/ubbthreads.php/topics/780388/1

In this look:

http://us.boucheron.com/en_us/the-creations/jewelry/quatre/quatre-follies-pink-gold-and-boucheron-gold-ring.html

http://satomikawakita.com/488-5245/R0604

http://joliedesigns.com/rings/eternity/bezel-set-diamond-stackable-ring.html

http://www.buy.com/prod/14k-rose-gold-round-prong-pink-sapphire-stackable-ring/210744064.html 

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/14k-Pink-Gold-Diamond-Accent-Beaded-Stackable-Ring/6475270/product.html

Play with your own ideas at http://pixlr.com/

THEIRS vs MINE...Smackdown!!

The benefits of doing it yourself....

Ok...so I am by no means a master jeweler, but there is nothing I love more than bringing together stones and settings with the help of my favorite jewelry repair guy.  You get double the shopping experience finding the right stone and then pairing it with that perfect setting.  In the end the ring can be exactly what you wanted, nothing more and nothing less.  The best part is....you can save a boatload!!!

See for yourself....

This is the Vintagey Little Gemstone Band, White Gold & Green Diamond from Wexford Jewelers.  Lovely no?  Price tag on this baby is $528!  

My Vintage Engraved Green Diamond Ring.  The second hand 14k white gold setting I found on ebay for $40.  I got an adorable pair of deep green diamonds also from an ebay seller for $30.  Took them to my favorite repair guy and he set it with new prongs for $40.....Grand total of $110.

Not bad huh?  Here I paired it with an original Belais 18k eternity orange blossom band...another ebay find.  Together both these rings didn't cost me as much as the Wexford ring...plus I have a green diamond left over to pair with another great vintage find and turn into a great gift!

Not convinced?

I found this lovely Vintage 14K Sapphire Ring Pink Lavender Engagement Solitaire on Ruby Lane for a whopping $1,899! 

My Lavender Sapphire in a Rose and White Gold Fishtail Setting.  The 1 carat sapphire came from ebay of course for $60.  The setting is a custom beauty from Amcor for $150.  Set by my guy locally for $15....can't beat that.  The whole enchilada....$225!!  That's quite the savings.

So give it a shot!  There are a lot of great resources out there to put together your own pieces.  Here's some places to get started...

 http://www.jtv.com/Gemstone/1,default,sc.html  

<><><><> So many great gemstones and so easy to find the right one!!<><><><>

http://www.diamondbistro.com

<>Great place both for finished jewelry, loose stones, and even the occasional setting<>

http://www.betterthandiamond.com/

<><><><><><>Amazing SIMs plus amazing lab grown gemstones<><><><><><>

http://www.amcordesign.com/index.html

<>Great settings and finished jewelry!!!  Wonderful to work with for special requests!<>

My fave local place for jewelry repair...

1 Hour Jewelry Repair

3320 Silas Creek Parkway Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Lower level near Time Warner store.

Where to buy the rings shown above...

https://wexfordjewelers.com/items/1883

http://www.rubylane.com/item/644639-DA-744/Vintage-14K-Sapphire-Ring-Pink

Thanks!!

1940s Deco Step Down Ring

A wonderful gift from my husbands grandmother....I love all things art deco.  The step design is on of my favorites.

Beautiful Aesthetic Bangles on Etsy!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/107487250/antique-victorian-aesthetic-movement

http://www.etsy.com/listing/107021384/antique-victorian-sterling-silver-hinged

Macro pictures on Android

I have a new android phone....which I love....now.  One of the things that made me desperately want to switch from my sad old blackberry was the hope of a somewhat decently functioning camera.  I was so excited to take some great pictures.  Since I got the phone I have downloaded 6+ camera apps, none of which have taken a really good shot in macro, even the more expensive supposedly so advanced camera apps.  After much frustration.....seriously my phone is lucky to have made it out alive.....I stumbled upon the Magnificent Magnifier HD app.  It looks rather like something for kids at first, but it is brilliant.  Finally I can see some detail in my shots!!  Who knew it could be so simple?

.:*`'Magnificent Magnifier HD'`*:.

  

Forums I Love....

My favorite jewelry forums....

<(1)>   http://forum.langantiques.com/

<{2}>  http://betterthandiamond.com/discussion/

<[3]>   http://www.pricescope.com/forum/

Come join the conversation!!!