topic Re: About doublets in Jewelry

About doublets

tdog — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 06:50:13 GMT

Does anyone have expertise on doublets? I have noticed that since the designers have started using inexpensive metals in their designs now, that the use of doublets has increased accordingly. Are doublets flawed or inferior stones that by using the quartz cover masks their imperfections? The upcoming cuff looks fabulous in the lapis, but I am wondering about the quality of lapis. I love good lapis. I see Michael Dawkins, Judith Ripka, Bixby, and others using lots of doublets now. I'm not sure if I like it or not. It changes the color of the stones, too.

Re: About doublets

ennui1 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 07:11:52 GMT

The doublets on QVC are used to make a less-expensive stone appear more valuable and exotic.

In principle, I was raised to believe that doublets are cheap and inferior and I refuse to buy them. If the CP cuff were made with traditional, single stones, I might have been interested. I don't know why TPTB thought lapis and turquoise and MOP needed a crystal top.

Fragile stones, like opal, are often made with an onyx backing to provide strength and stability, but better opals are standalone.

YMMV.

Re: About doublets

DCAnnie2004 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:40:53 GMT

I like the look because it can make opaque stones sparkle. It is true that inferior stones can be used (and smaller pieces) to make doublets, but I think they offer something on their own. Their use is not just on QVC - I own a turquoise lollipop doublet necklace from Ippolita that is the most complimented piece I own. Dara and Marilynn from philosophy wear Ippollita almost every time they are on air.

Re: About doublets

DCAnnie2004 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:42:59 GMT

I would add that I received the lapis TSV cuff yesterday, and while I love opaque stones, I don't think this design would have been as beautiful without the doublet.

Re: About doublets

lalaluvsCPJ — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:58:32 GMT

On 2/19/2014 ennui1 said:
The doublets on QVC are used to make a less-expensive stone appear more valuable and exotic.

In principle, I was raised to believe that doublets are cheap and inferior and I refuse to buy them. If the CP cuff were made with traditional, single stones, I might have been interested. I don't know why TPTB thought lapis and turquoise and MOP needed a crystal top.

Fragile stones, like opal, are often made with an onyx backing to provide strength and stability, but better opals are standalone.

YMMV.

In the case of this particular piece I would have to argue your point on doublets being used to cover up "inferior" and cheap stones. CPJ has ALWAYS been known for their superior quality stones most especially their lapis. In fact I would have to say that the use of the faceted crystal quartz is most definitely used to enhance the look of this particular design. After all MOP is not an expensive stone so I certainly wouldn't think that CPJ was trying to cover up an inferior stone of any kind. The reviews of the TSV are absolutely phenomenal. You should give it a try! I think you would be pleasantly surprised!

Re: About doublets

lalaluvsCPJ — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:01:04 GMT

On 2/20/2014 dc2004 said: I would add that I received the lapis TSV cuff yesterday, and while I love opaque stones, I don't think this design would have been as beautiful without the doublet.

Couldn't agree with you more dc2004! The spectacular sparkle you get from the faceted crystal quartz adds to the beautiful allure of this cuff! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!

Re: About doublets

sligo — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:09:35 GMT

On 2/20/2014 dc2004 said: I like the look because it can make opaque stones sparkle. It is true that inferior stones can be used (and smaller pieces) to make doublets, but I think they offer something on their own. Their use is not just on QVC - I own a turquoise lollipop doublet necklace from Ippolita that is the most complimented piece I own. Dara and Marilynn from philosophy wear Ippollita almost every time they are on air.

I Love Ippolita and Yurman also. They are more costly but "you get what you pay for" I have a local jeweler from whom my husband has purchased items from. (Terrible Sentence, sorry)My husband has designed the piece I would like and the jeweler has made it for me. I am terribly spoiled. However, I have asked the jeweler about doublets and his rec was not to purchase.

Re: About doublets

Bird — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:20:13 GMT

I'm not an expert but I do agree with ennui.

FWIW, I do not like faceted stones! What's the point of reflecting light off the stone, when yours truly would rather look at the actual stone. The beauty, the coloration, the depth. With the faceting, you lose the depth. Eh, unless there IS NO depth, thus the faceted quartz to mask that shortcoming...which, BTW, allows for a cheaper stone.

Imagine staring into a large tiger eye cab. Beautiful, mesmerizing. Now, facet that tiger eye, so your searching into the stone becomes interrupted by flashes of light and angles. Not for me!

All said, I did buy the bracelet. Two, actually, but I'd prefer to have cabochons. - Bird

Re: About doublets

Krimpette — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:45:57 GMT

I just won't buy doublets. I'm big fan also of Hagit Gorali. I recently purchased J290261 ring. 13.0 carats of pure, non-faceted, single amethyst stone. No doublet. No triplet. Absolutely stunning.

Re: About doublets

violann — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:52:23 GMT

I seem to have had bad luck in the past with doublet jewelry. I have had the quartz layer of beautiful doublet jewelry discolor, and I have also had the bonding medium fail and the gem layer be ruined. I think because of these experiences, I've come to dislike the idea of doublets, and although the style of the new CP bracelet is perfection, I won't be interested in buying it.

Re: About doublets

Jersey Born — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:30:28 GMT

Good morning, Tdog. I am not an expert, but I purchase what I like, and I do like doublets. In fact, I am wearing one right now--lol--on my neck. It is fuchsia MOP/clear quartz doublet, and I reach for it often as I love the color, the inner glow and the top layer of sparkle from the faceted quartz. I have not had any trouble with my doublets-- yet-- knock on wood, but I am always careful to keep them away from water.

I, personally, am attracted to the opaque stones for their color, but I prefer wearing them in doublets, as I must admit, I adore all things that sparkle in the light. But, that is just my personal preference.

Re: About doublets

esmeraldagooch — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:34:22 GMT

I am not a doublet fan. They've been used for years using a small slice of opal then bonding glass on top to make the stone hard enough to wear. Later, gemstones were added to the top or bottom in a sandwich turning a doublet to a triplet. You only need a small slice of the gemstone or shell to make a doublet, making them economical for the designer. The gemstone doesn't even have to be good quality to create them since the gem is so far from the top of the completed doublet.

Re: About doublets

ennui1 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 18:31:04 GMT

On 2/20/2014 lalaluvsCPJ said: In the case of this particular piece I would have to argue your point on doublets being used to cover up "inferior" and cheap stones. CPJ has ALWAYS been known for their superior quality stones most especially their lapis. In fact I would have to say that the use of the faceted crystal quartz is most definitely used to enhance the look of this particular design. After all MOP is not an expensive stone so I certainly wouldn't think that CPJ was trying to cover up an inferior stone of any kind.

I didn't say doublets are covering up inferior stones -- I said the doublet itself is inferior, as opposed to a traditional, single stone.

CPJ might lose that reputation for superior quality stones. If it's so superior, why the doublets?

violann, I don't think your luck has been any worse than anyone else's. That's the nature of the beast. Doublets can chip, separate, discolor. I've even heard of layers that get wet and become like little Petri dishes.

Re: About doublets

chrystaltree — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 18:41:32 GMT

Doublets = cheap. At least when we are talking about QUARTZ which, in and of itself is quite inexpensive. Actually QVC is the only shopping channel I've seen that is selling doublets at extraordinarily high prices considering what they are. Are people here confusing cabachon cuts with doublets? It seems that some don't know what a doublet is. It's a SLICE of a stone that is fixed to an inexpensive backing and then covered with clear quartz or a synthetic material. Yes, we've seen it for years in fine opals. And that's fine. But amethyt??? Since when did amethyst and blue topaz become so expensive they need to use slices of them???? That's just greed!

Re: About doublets

Sawn — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 18:56:20 GMT

I won't purchase doublets, either, and I love Carolyn Pollack's jewelry. I , too, was raised to spot them as a cheap cop-out, if you will. My jeweler doesn't even offer any.

Re: About doublets

lalaluvsCPJ — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 19:21:08 GMT

Well, isn't that just the loveliest thing about so many designers, styles, gemstones ,the way things are produced and most importantly WHERE they are produced. We just have so many choices! I have been a supporter of the CPJ/Relios lines for years and will continue to be as long as they continue to manufacture their line right here in the U.S. In all these years and hundreds of purchases from them, I would bet that I have only returned a few pieces because of a stone or manufacturing issue and the fact that I was able to speak to someone right here in the U.S. and be told, "no problem, please send it back and we will take care of it for you" makes me want to continue to purchase from them. I pre-ordered the TSV and I will tell you that the weight of the sterling silver alone makes the value of this cuff extraordinary. The craftsmanship is second to none and I have noticed that most of the women that have ordered this have gone back to order one or both of the other colors. I think that speaks to the beauty and quality of this piece.

Re: About doublets

shoptheQ — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 20:59:37 GMT

lalaluvsCPJ : I agree with you 100%. Last count there were 22 perfect 5 star reviews on Carolyn's new cuff. Not a single, I repeat not a single negative review.

Re: About doublets

Favorite Son — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 21:02:09 GMT

I agree with what ennui1 said about the doublets, but every now and then I will fall for a piece despite the fact that it includes doublets. I have two pieces of jewelry containing doublets - the Ripka champagne quartz cuff (J113750), and the TSV in mother of pearl. I just couldn't resist either of those two beauties.

Re: About doublets

Nikalette — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 21:04:08 GMT

the 3 I have purchased are gorgeous. i have real stones oncluding a very large hi quality opal I bought from the estate portion of a jewelry store. i love cabachons and the doublets are often in that cut. if they are pretty, go for it.

Re: About doublets

Pagan — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 21:09:34 GMT

On 2/19/2014 ennui1 said:
In principle, I was raised to believe that doublets are cheap and inferior

I love the idea of cute little Ennui1 at her mother's knee ...

"My darling, beautiful daughter, remember to always try your best, help other people, be kind to animals and never forget that doublets are cheap and inferior"