Start
with a new image (Ctrl+N)
of any size. I used 100 x
100. Fill the background
with any color. I used a
neutral gray.
>>
Step 2
Create
a new layer (Shft+Ctrl+N)
and call it 'base'. Use
the elliptical marquee
tool to make a circle of
about 50 x 50.
>>
Step 3
Choose
the color you want to gem
to be. For realistic
looking gems, choose a
color with a brightness
close to 50%. I chose a
blue-green shade.
>>
Step 4
Go
to Layer>>
Effects>> Inner
Shadow to add an inner
shadow to your colored
circle. I recommend using
these settings:
Mode:
Multiply
Opacity:
75%
Angle:
135º
Distance:
10
Blur:
10
Intensity:
0%
>>
Step 5
Create
a new layer
(Shft+Ctrl+N). Link it
with the 'base' layer.
Merge these two layers.
Make sure the layer name
is 'base'.
>>
Step 6
Create
another layer called
'light'. Select the
'base' layer
(Ctrl+Click). On the
'light' layer, airbrush a
little white on the lower
right corner of the
selection.
>>
Step 7
Don't
deselect the circle. Make
sure you are stil on the
'light' layer. Go to
Filter>>
Blur>> Gaussian
Blur. Blur it at 6
pixels. Adjust the layer
as so:
Blending:
Color Dodge
Opacity:
65%
Merge
the 'base' and 'light'
layer. Make sure the name
of the resulting layer is
'base'.
>>
Step 8
Make
a new layer (Shft+Ctrl+N)
and call it 'highlight'.
Draw a white oval of
about 15 x 10. Tilt and
move it so that it looks
like the illustration.
>>
Step 9
Select
the 'base' layer
transparency
(Ctrl+Click). Add a
gaussian blur of about 3
pixels to the 'highlight'
layer. Merge the 'base'
and 'highlight' layers.
>>
Step 10
You
can add a Drop Shadow to
the gem to make it look
more round. Another thing
you can do is to add
light black edge to the
lower right corner.
