Timols’ 40th was coming up with a dash of speed in early July and I thought a handmade ring would suit the occasion.

A bit of reading revealed:

Birth Stones – July: Ruby “The gleaming ruby should adorn, All those who in July are born. For thus they’ll be exempt and free From lover’s doubts and anxiety.”

First stop was my mate Michael Finch Jewellery with “Timol in tow”.

But then it became “Andy in tow” when Timol’s mind got “expansive”.

I therefore abandoned Timol, with her consent of course, and set out on a solo mission to conquer the purchase of my 1st ring ever!

Next stop was Leaza of Touch Stone Gems who showed me a lovely selection of synthetic and real-deal stones.

If I was going to pay Mike 1/2 my salary to make a unique once-off ring then I couldn’t possibly choose a synthetic stone.

I saw such a lovely Sky Topaz but then oops!!!

My eyes also missile-locked in on a shiny glistening pink red ruby.

No choice – I took both before Leaza could leave with her showcases of jewels.

I showed Mike who immediately blurted out “Sorry brother, you need another ruby to balance alongside the Topaz or it’s TWO rings”.

Leaza could not supply us with any firm guarantee in the short space of time before deadline.

One ring became two, which Mike so eloquently described in his surfer Buddhist drawl as follows:

STONES

1 x 14x12mm Sky Blue Topaz – long cushion cut

1 x 3.5mm round Select Ruby – 0.195ct

METAL

Approximately 17grams of Sterling silver was used in total.

DESCRIPTION

These two stones were set in two separate rings.

The Sky Blue Topaz was tube set in a cupped setting and mounted on a 6mm wide court shaped silver band with a milled finish.

The Select Ruby was gypsy set (rub over) in a court shape silver band with poished rims and a milled finish.

I took the images below in true amateur Andy style, being my first attempt at close-ups of rings in terrible light and like always; refusing to try any manual settings – full auto for me!