Sometimes
even awesome stones can sit for years until just the right design inspiration surfaces.
This was the case with a 16 ct. t.w. aquamarine acquired by Sarkis Kitsinian some
30 years ago at the AGTA GemFair Tucson. Kitsinian let the stone sit untouched
until his daughter, Vanna Kitsinian (as in Vanna K Jewelry, a division of S. A.
Kitsinian), grew up and into the family business, and designed the perfect
showcase for the stone: an 18k white and rose gold ring with 2.30 cts. t.w.
diamonds and 1.60 cts. t.w. pink sapphires. Arch Kitsinian, son to Sarkis and
brother to Vanna, showed me the piece, which retails for $14,000, at JCK Las
Vegas 2010.
Arch (lt) and Sarkis Kitsinian: Thank
heavens they had other stones and ideas to work with while waiting
for inspiration for the aqua design!
A 30 ct. t.w. aqua ring, also designed by Vanna K, shares the same provenance as the 16 ct. rock. A professional photo isn’t available, but here’s one I snapped during the Vegas show.
Of
course, letting stones sit for years isn’t unheard of, and plenty of others have
done so as well. How long have you let a stone sit in the safe before setting
it into the perfect piece of finished jewelry? Any readers surpass the 30-year
mark? Do tell by way of the comment function.
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