As a metalsmith, my passion is forging and fabricating silver into organic shapes and beautiful textures.  I often use gorgeously colored gemstones in my work as well, which take center stage, so to speak, along with the metalwork.  Occasionally, however, there are stones which are so spectacular that they stand on their own, calling for nothing more than the simplest and most minimal setting possible.  Here are a few such stones, in pieces I made this weekend.  The pendant and the two pins are luscious Sierra Madre agate cut by lapidarist John Bajoras of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

1 7/16" x 2 1/8" on 20" Chain

 1 1/2" x 2 1/4"

 1 1/8" x 2 5/8"

 5/8" x 1 3/8"

7/8" x 1"