Ruby and Spinel

An exercise in frustration with good results are characteristic of the Black Rose. Two Pigeon Blood-ish rubies were simple, but finding larger spinels forming the stem was decidedly less so. Cut from two museum-grade cylinders, the spinels were a new carving challenge – as they fracture beautifully along lines otherwise not apparent. In keeping with my imperfect perfection ideal, the fractured beads were kept (which was good as there were quite a few by the time I finished). If there would be a next time, this is an opportune chance to use a gold/silver epoxy for Kintsugi. -scl