Black Gray Moonstone Mythological Stone Protector Ring, order June Birthstone, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, silver fantasy Elven elfish magic fairy elf

* Black Gray Moonstone Sterling Stone Protectors ring
* Please read the entire description before ordering:

This Hand crafted Sterling Silver elfish ring is set with a natural black gray moonstone cabochon. The stone measures about 8 mm x 6 mm x 2.8 mm, weighs about 1.7 carats, and was mined from the earth in Ceylon, Sri Lanka. The stone is untreated in any way, and totally natural. Moonstone is an alternate birthstone for June, and is associated with the astrological signs Cancer, Libra, and Scorpio.

The design of this handmade sterling silver ring features 2 little "stone protectors" on either side. The Stone Protectors are little fantasy - mythological creatures that I first created back in the mid 1970's, and still use today in many of my jewelry designs. They kind of look like little bug-eyed salamanders without legs. You can see them better when you click on the pictures to enlarge them. They are magical little Elven or fairy creatures who's power is to protect the stone they guard, and keep it from harm or loss. Tolkien never described them in his books, but in my mind's eye they are indigenous to Middle Earth, or some other realm of fantasy. Being creatures of fantasy, they give the ring a Mythic or Mystical feeling, as if it were created by elves in another time and place of magic. If you prefer gold to silver, I can make this ring in 14 K yellow, white, or rose gold for about $499.00. Please write me if this is of interest to you.

The ring measures about 10 mm across, and the shank measures about 2.6 mm wide and 1.2 mm thick at the thinnest spot in the back. The ring weighs about 2.5 grams, and is stamped Ster inside. The first 7 pictures were taken using a spotlight to best show the adularescence in the moonstone. The last 3 were taken in diffused light to best show the detail in the design of the silver ring. The last picture is for visual size and scale reference, so you can see exactly what size the ring is. It shows the silver ring without the stone next to a US dime coin and 1" on a ruler. The sterling silver I use to make my rings is alloyed order using newly refined recycled silver. The only difference between recycled sterling silver and silver not identified as recycled is the source of the pure silver. Recycled silver has less impact on the environment than newly mined silver. Otherwise, it is exactly the same. I believe that if we all work together towards positive change, we can make the world a better, healthier place. That's why I use recycled where I can. The Navy blue jewelry box it will be sent in is also made with 100% recycled materials. This moonstone is an "Ethically Mined Gemstone", which means it was extracted from the ground with minimal environmental damage by miners who are not exploited or suffering terrible working conditions and the profits are not used to fund war, terrorism or political corruption.

Rings are always stronger when the shank is cast to the correct size as opposed to being cut and sized larger or smaller. So rather than set the stone first, and then need to size the ring to fit your finger, I will cast your ring to size when you order it. I will have the ring ready to send within 3 to 5 business days. The pictures were all taken before the stone is set and show the stone sitting on the ring; unset. The prongs will be trimmed and smoothed down to securely set the stone in your ring once the ring has been made to your exact finger size. The pictures show the color and quality of moonstone I will use for your ring. The stone used in your ring will be from the same lot of stones as the stone pictured. For reference, the ring pictured is a size 8.

PROPER FINGER SIZING:

There is no way to accurately guess or estimate the finger size you need for a ring to fit properly. The only way to obtain an accurate measurement is to use the METAL finger gauges used by jewelers. Go to a store that sells rings, and get the finger measured. They will be happy to do this for you. Finger size is totally unrelated to body size or shoe size. Using string or ribbon to measure the finger is not accurate. Printing a paper off the internet and wrapping it around your finger probably won't yield accurate results. You remember that she used to say she wore about a size 7 ring? It probably has changed or you remember wrong. Again, the only reliably accurate way is to use metal finger gauges graduated in 1/2 sizes, until you find the one that fits best. Also keep in mind that fingers are smaller when you are very cold, and larger when it is hot and humid. Receiving a new ring that is too large or small is quite disappointing. You will be far happier if you take the time to obtain an accurate size before ordering. I can re-size a ring for you when you order the wrong size. But you will be paying an additional $20.00 to $30.00 to have me re-size it and send it back to you; and then there is the time it will take (could be 2+ weeks). My return policy specifically prohibits a refund for ordering a ring custom made to a size that does not fit (you ordered the wrong size). Why not just measure the finger and get it ordered right the first time?

However, in this time of the Covid-19 Pandemic, a trip to a jewelry store to have your finger measured may be difficult and potentially dangerous. Thus, I am offering this MULTISIZER ring finger gauge to be sent to you with free shipping to an address in the USA. While not quite as accurate as metal finger gauges, if used properly this will give you a more accurate size than a string, or a ribbon, or a guess. You can purchase one with free shipping here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/876114033/multisizer-ring-sizing-gague-for

Gemologically Speaking; This is the educational part:

Moonstone is a variety of feldspar; a potassium aluminum silicate with the chemical formula KAlSi3O8. Feldspar is the most common mineral in the crust of the Earth, making up about 60% or it. Feldspar is a huge family of minerals, but not all feldspar is moonstone. The most common moonstone is the mineral adularia, named for a locality in the Adula Mountains in Switzerland. The plagioclase feldspar oligoclase also produces moonstones. It gets it's name from a lovely visual effect, or sheen, caused by light reflecting internally in the moonstone from layered inclusions of different feldspars. These two different feldspar species are usually orthoclase and albite feldspars. Moonstone is formed deep within the earth where the parent rock is molten. As the crystals slowly grow and cool from a molten state, the albite and orthoclase intergrow into stacked alternating layers. Thus moonstone is usually found in igneous pegmatite rocks. When light falls between the thin, flat layers of albite and orthoclase it is scattered in many directions producing the lovely billowy light that seems to float within the polished moonstone. This optical affect is called adularescence.

Moonstone deposits are found in the European Alps (Adula Mountains in Switzerland), Brazil, India, Mexico, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Idaho in the USA. In color it can be white, silver-gray, pink, green, brown, bluish, even black. Rainbow Moonstone (Peristerite, a variety of Labradorite) is white with a play of adularescent colors that reminds me of opal. Moonstone has a monoclinic crystal structure, Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5, specific gravity of 2.55 - 2.58, and refractive index of 1.52 - 1.54.

Metaphysically Speaking:

All ancient cultures aware of moonstone have associated it with the Moon and lunar energies. Moonstone is a stone of love, protection, strong spirit, and vision. Thought to draw love into your life, to balance out emotion, and to protect travelers. It's lovely appearance alone inspires soft, loving qualities. Moonstone is associated with the heart chakra, and ameliorates love relationships of all kinds, making it an ideal choice for a wedding or engagement ring. Moonstone has mental and emotional benefits to both men and women. It helps men connect to their creative and emotional side which they tend to undervalue. Women who carry it are stronger and more assertive. It is especially powerful for women during their "Moon Time" , and an aid in childbirth. Moonstone has been reputed to be the "Travelers Stone" for millenia. When traveling wear a moonstone for smooth sailing and good luck. It is an alternate birthstone for June and is associated with the astrological signs Cancer, Libra, and Scorpio.

** The free shipping offered to an address within the United States is by First Class US Post. An upgrade to faster Priority or Priority Express US shipping is available at checkout.

*INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: I no longer ship to countries outside the USA.