Darktiste Sketchbook

[Rotohail]

Tried something more challenging but not so much that it was impossible to tackle.This time i use a main and a secondary light source of lower intensity.I am still not satisfied with how the gem like detail came out it end up looking to flat.Still trying to translate some of my previous experience from illustrator and Photoshop to sketchbook pro.

Ugh, thought to take it as a challenge when I was on a small break to see if I could improve the form read a bit. Not too great at this yet. Sorry for the boring strokes, using the mouse lol, although that ain't a excuse I could have used the line tools but I'm a moron. Ha ha.

Basically the pointers I would give are, think on having some kind of background, so your highlights can pop, you can use gradients or intricate fog, whatever. Then if you lose the form because certain materials are quite dark, just bring extra lights (rim lights, fake reflections). Remember materials all have their own value and their reactions to the environment and lighting are tied to those values.
Not sure what the gem was, the oval? Well if it's a gem you can use facets or more sharp breaks, like a cut diamond? But since I wasn't sure I just left it as some metallic oval shape.
Leaving you this maybe, again, not yet too good at this but I'm working on it so take it with a grain of salt. Changing programs is tough, can really put you off your game but, this result you got seems consistent to your previous work so I would just suggest you try to learn blender (cheap) or study materials from real life props (expensive!) heh. 
Keep it up!