Every once in awhile I get a request that requires less computer work, and more catalog flipping. I know it sounds strange, but some designs just work better if you buy pre-made parts, and assemble them. This is one of those pieces.

This client contacted me because she wanted a gift to give a friend that had the friend’s children’s birthstones (two emeralds.) She thought she wanted a pendant but wasn’t sure. The big thing was that she didn’t have a ton of money to spend.

When I get requests under a certain dollar amount, I often go to my catalogs. I have several sources where I can buy pre-made parts that I can put together to create a new design. This works especially well with pendants because you can get moving parts this way and you would never guess that the parts are pre-made.

I sent the customer several ideas based on different price ranges and different shapes.

She decided that she liked the circle design with two pieces. We decided to use natural emeralds, real diamonds, and sterling silver.

The jeweler put everything together and suggested that the bottom circle piece have a sandblast finish. They thought that the sandblast finish would wear better since it was likely that the top circle would scratch the bottom circle.

I think the sandblast finish added depth to the piece and the diamonds were just enough sparkle next to the deep green of the emeralds. What a great gift to be able to give a friend!

This client contacted me because he’d seen a design he liked that I done for a different client that was never manufactured. I don’t ever like to make the same thing twice but since this one wasn’t ever manufactured, I said I would do it!

Here is the original render that he saw from the post about another client’s piece:

He wanted the same blue sapphire center but instead of green tourmaline sides he wanted green garnets (tsavorites) because garnet is his girlfriend’s birthstone.

We decided to use palladium for the metal and a created blue sapphire to save a little money.

The final piece turned out so well! The tsavorites really popped!

Some people get engaged and married within a year of meeting each other. Some people date for a couple years, then get married. And then there are those couples that date FOREVER before they get engaged. This piece is for a couple that fits in that last category.

This piece is special to me because it is for some close friends from college. I knew that when the time came, the guy would come to me to make the ring so I had to figure out a way to find out her preferences without being suspicious. Luckily, she knew he wasn’t going to propose until much later because they wanted to get through school and settled in jobs before they got married. A couple of years ago (yes, this ring has been in the works for years) I simply took her to a jewelry store, got her finger sized, had her try on a couple of rings to figure out what size center stone she would want, and had her take a look around to get an idea of her style. It was very nice being able to come right out and ask the questions of the person who the ring would be for without having to beat around the bush at all.

I went home after the trip to the jewelry store and designed a ring for her right away. That way I knew I had the ring size correct and I wouldn’t forget any other details.

She wanted a 1/2-3/4ct center stone, a little wider band, not too many extra diamonds that would make it too busy, and she wanted the ring to be different but simple.

I decided that she needed a cushion cut center stone because they are not very common but they sparkle like crazy. I set the center stone sideways, with double prongs, to make it a little bit more different and I used just 2 stones on either side that I gypsy set so it had a little extra sparkle but was very simple. I also made sure the center stone was set pretty low to the ring so it wouldn’t easily get caught on anything. Here are the renders of the original design.

Several months ago, the guy finally came to me and said he was hoping to propose on a cruise they had planned in September and could I make a ring for him. It was so nice that I already had the design done. I opened the file, showed it to him, and we started looking for center stones.

He wanted a really nice stone so it took awhile to find one that had the right specifications, in the right size, for the right price. The one we settled on was VS1 clarity, D color, and 0.78ct. It is a truly spectacular stone.

We decided to make the ring in platinum. It turn out soooooo pretty. This ring really makes we want to re-do my own engagement ring!! I can’t wait to hear about the proposal and future wedding plans!

I thought I’d write a quick post about my thoughts on costume jewelry since it is sold everywhere.

I think costume jewelry is awesome! I own some costume jewelry and wear it when it fits with the situation and my outfit. I think costume jewelry is great for staying with jewelry fads, trying out new things, having something fun to match a specific outfit, etc. I don’t think costume jewelry should be expected to last a life time.

My definition for costume jewelry is jewelry that is inexpensive. I don’t think the label “costume jewelry” actually says anything about what type of metal or stones are used and whether they are quality or not. I have pieces that I would consider costume jewelry that have genuine stones but that were very inexpensive. That also means that “fine jewelry” doesn’t actually define what the piece is made of either. You can have non-genuine stones in fine jewelry. I feel that saying something is “costume jewelry” is more a comment on how much is cost or the reason the piece was purchased.

Costume jewelry is often made out of brass or other very inexpensive metals and is plated to look like either gold or silver and the stones are everything from genuine rocks (turquoise, quartz, onyx, carnelian, etc.) to glass. The materials are why one should not expect costume jewelry to necessarily last a life time. When something is plated, the plating can wear off. In some cases, it can even chip off. With all stones there is a risk of chipping or breaking the stone. The stones and materials used in costume jewelry are often softer than some of those used in fine jewelry which means they are more likely to chip, scratch, or break.

None of these things mean that I don’t think anyone should buy or wear costume jewelry. I just think consumers should be aware of what they are getting.

I am often asked if I would ever consider making costume jewelry so more people would be able to afford my designs. The answer is yes and no.

I wouldn’t ever want to make the same designs in brass that I would make in gold. I would make some things in silver if there were customers for it, but I don’t want to get into base metals and plating in my work. I would also make inexpensive earrings and necklaces out of silver findings that would hit lower price points. Findings are pre-made pieces like rings that you can buy and put together to make a piece of jewelry. The true key to hitting price points for me would be volume. If I can buy 50 jump rings and use all 50 in different pieces of jewelry that is different than buying those same 50 rings in order to make one piece.

Here are a few renders and pictures of the types of costume jewelry I can and have made.

I get a lot of really different requests from people, but this piece took the cake.

My client first asked if I could work with amber (I can work with anything a customer can provide or that I can buy) and then sent me a quick computer sketch of what he was looking for as far as design.

He wanted the amber in the center with a snake going around the stone eating its tail. He also wanted intricate filigree work on the sides of the shank. I knew this piece wouldn’t be easy since designs with a lot of detail or that don’t use simple shapes are difficult to create in my CAD program, but I was up to the challenge.

I spent hours working on this snake head and then on the filigree on the sides. Here are the renders I sent my customer:

He loved the design and we went ahead with manufacturing in Sterling Silver with a 6mm Amber cabochon center stone.

The finished piece turned out better than I could have hoped and I hope his girlfriend loves it!!