‘Twas the night before Christmas

by anthonylloydrees on December 29, 2008

This is a B.C. Nephrite jade ring that I cut from a block of ‘Cassia chromite’ to fit the 14k white gold mount supplied by my customer.

Usually if I am called upon to work on Christmas Eve it’s because some very sad jeweller is in deep trouble from a last minute woops. The only reason I’m there is just in case such an emergency occurs and I have saved a couple of very grateful butts over the years.

In this case it wasn’t a last minute present but it was a time sensitive job. My plans for a relaxing day playing were dashed. Although not a particularly difficult job it was quite time consuming as the fit needed to be exact and of course the gold work wasn’t. Luckily Cassia Jade is B.C.’s finest jade to work with, it takes an agate like polish and rarely splinters like the other nephrites so I did manage to deliver the piece that afternoon.

jade ring apart

jade ring together

Tony.

anthonylloydrees

anthonylloydrees

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Tony November 16, 2009 at 10:43 am

Hello Steve,

I’m not a jeweller, just a stone cutter.
This ring was made finished and fitted for the customer before it was sent to me for the jade inlay.

I could do the jade part but you will need to find someone to make the ring.

Tony.

Steve November 15, 2009 at 7:35 pm

Hi Tony,

Can you make one of these rings out of modern nephrite and silver? If so what do I need to do to have you make one for me?

Thanks,
Steve

Bruce Holmgrain January 5, 2009 at 6:22 am

Beautiful job.

I may have a small job for you. I need to firm uppthe dimensions, but I need to have a black onyx cut. Octagon, 18x16mm, buff top with 2 holes drilled. Once upon a time, these were available commercially for about $2. Not so anymore. Can you give me an estimate. If the price is something that I can work with, I’ll forward a drawing with the dimensions including the lengths of the corners.

Tanx,
Bruce

Rene' Howard December 31, 2008 at 5:46 am

This is a fantastic piece of craftsmanship Tony! My question is how does the metal hold together to fit with the nephrite? Is it just through tension or epoxy?

Peace be with you this new year,
Rene’

Tony December 30, 2008 at 10:24 pm

Thankyou Nan,

Although Nephrite is not a particularly hard it is extremely tough and can withstand knocks and abrasions, often better than much harder stones.

and a Happy New Year to you too.
Tony.

Nanette Kroupa December 30, 2008 at 8:57 pm

It’s beautiful, Tony! Will it stand up to the beating a ring takes?
Happy New Year,
Nan

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