Mokume Gane and Spessartite Garnet
Study in Sterling and Mokume Gane, Spessartite Garnet
Manufactured and Designed by Ryan Quantz
15.5mm W x 46mm H, 5.5mm
Paradise Brilliant Gemstone Design
from Jewelry Artist Magazine c. 1970’s – Designer Unknown
Spessartite Faceting by Barry Bridgestock
Photography by Ryan Quantz
Despite being born in the 1980s, I focus my ideas and style around design trends and automobile designs of the 1940s-1960s. I was trying to achieve in this piece a modern touch to a mid-century modern base; Simple straight lines and flat faces combined in bold, elegant but simple curves. I used sterling sheet hand fabricated in a custom jig, pierced and filled with a “floating” rectangle of copper and sterling Mokume Gane oxidized to mimic the color of a bright 6.5mm 1.52ct Spessartite Garnet. I polished the inside of the piece while leaving a satin finish on the outside. ‘m very satisfied with how this design works off paper. It is able to be adapted to just about any particular taste while keeping the same basic look and feel with minor changes. This pendant was my final project for my very first semester of Jewelry-making class at College of Southern Nevada, where I am studying for a Fine Arts degree.
Ryan Quantz
Las Vegas, Nevada
RyanQuantz@aol.com
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