My mantra I'm not normally a fan of black gemstones, went out the window when I saw these fabulous rough top black tourmaline cabochons.

It appears that I am learning to love and embrace black healing crystals, seeing the hidden mysteriousness of these protection and grounding stones, that activate the root chakra.

Black Tourmaline is a strong spiritual grounding gemstone, which is best known for it's powerful protective properties, by repelling and blocking negative energies, from both people and space, especially against psychic attack, and exposure to electromagnetic waves (EMFs. from mobile phones, phone masts and computer screens)

It will cleanse, purify and transform dense energy into lighter vibrations.

When I was offered some rough top black tourmaline from one of my suppliers during her buying trip to India, I naturally thought how wonderful they would look as rings and pendants.

I requested marquise and irregular shape cabochons, but unfortunately, I was sent teardrops and ovals, and I had to reject 3 of the bigger pieces that I had planned on making into pendants, as the rough top wasn't rough!!!

So this left me with an 1 oval and 3 teardrops to play around with:
 

With the remaining black tourmaline cabochons, I worked out that I could make 2 rings, and oval and teardrop and 2 teardrop pendants.

With these rough top cabochons I noticed that they had been cut thicker than the usual cabochons that I work with, and that the edges was uneven, even with the ridges.

Things were going to plan creating the fine silver and sterling silver settings for each of the rings and pendants, including the clean up and initial polish before tumbling them.

The last thing was to check the fit and the height of the bezel and its was during this process that I managed to snap the oval cabochon in half, not realising that there was a weak spot that ran through the middle of the stone:

 
I was absolutely gutted that this happened, as the only thing I had left to do was set the stone within the setting, but I guess if there was a fault in the stone, best it breaks now rather than when I've sold it to a customer.

Obviously, this has now put me on edge, and has knocked my confidence a little bit, especially now as I am up against it time wise as I wanted these pieces ready for the LivingWell Festival in Shrewsbury on Sunfay the 10th July 2022.

When creating bezel set jewellery, the hardest part is the actual setting the stone within the piece, I was already aware of how fragile these black tourmaline cabochons, especially with the rough top and the differing heights of the stone, and I can tell you there were a couple of squeaky pants moments, where I could have cracked the stones!!!

Safe to say I was extra vigilant in preparing and setting the rest of the black tourmaline pieces to create a teardrop ring and 2 penadants:

   

I hear you ask what about the broken cabochon?

Well looking at the stones, it appears to be a natural break within the stone as it is relatively clean, so that means I can create 2 smaller rings with them as a half moon or semi circle.

As for the setting, I will have to heat up the metal so that I can dismantle the components of the ring shank, back plate and bezel wall, as I do not have any healing crystals that fit the dimensions of the setting.

No matter what nothing will go to waste!

I would really love to hear your thoughts, so post something in the comments below.

Until next time

Joolz xxx

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July 21, 2022

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