Audacious Colors – Life in the Facet Lane

by Diana Jarrett GG RMV

Must you really have just one favorite color? We don’t think so. Nature produces such stellar hues all around us; and each brings unique excitement to our lives. This month, we feature for your pleasure both a dazzling stone and the imaginative jewelry artist who loves this rare gem too.

SPINNING A WEB OF INTRIGUE

Spinel is a magnificent natural stone that until a century ago was often mistaken for ruby when it was found alongside that stone in deposits. Exotic locales with evocative names are where spinel is found; places like Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma) Tanzania, and Thailand. Besides red, it is produced in a rich range of other vibrant tones. On rare occasions, spinel occurs in a phenomenal color-change variety. The unusual stone makes a full switch from royal blue in daylight to purple in florescent light. It is one of the few colored gemstones requiring no special treatments to optimize its beauty–making it a true collector’s stone.

COLOR CHANGE SPINEL RING IN 18K YELLOW GOLD;
COURTESY PAULA CREVOSHAY

QUEEN OF COLOR

Celebrated jewelry artist Paula Crevoshay has carefully curated an exceptional color change spinel for several years, and one can appreciate her watchful attitude over this treasure. This particular color change spinel weighs 6.5 carats; an uncommon size for the gemstone. Placed in an important 18K yellow gold mounting, it’s a fitting frame for such a rarity. Crevoshay is lauded for her painterly application of color on color in her original jewelry collections. Her jewelry settings are her canvas; the colored stones are her paint. There’s no mistaking an artful Crevoshay creation.

ALL ABOUT THE STONE

In her remarkable color change spinel ring, it’s apparent from the magnificent setting that this stone is an extraordinary specimen. There are no other stones vying for pride of place in her artful creation. The stone’s the thing here. Yet, the mounting with all its sumptuous detail tells a story that words can never convey.

Digging a bit into Crevoshay’s background, it becomes clear what has shaped her as a jewelry designer. In addition to Fine Art, Crevoshay studied Anthropology, especially symbolism. Expressions of modernity fuse seamlessly with iconic archetypes from long ago. Small wonder that her work resonates with a global community of devotees.

O-O-H! LET’S LOOK

Aren’t we fortunate? Local cognoscenti can enjoy previewing Paula Crevoshay fine art jewels at Provident Jewelry right here in Naples.