The Novelties of November

I know ... it appears to be a blue-toned tanzanite, hey?!  Well, believe it or not, it's a sapphire!  And one of the most spectacular specimens I've ever seen, at that.  Just absolutely the most gorgeous royal blue hue.  Really very unusual to see in sapphires, as they're usually far more navy in colour and opaque in their refraction and reflection of light from within the stone.

My curly and twirly diamond and 18ct white gold ring.

A tri-coloured bespoke piece that I made a few months back.  The client saw this particular design with a circular centre set section, but required the ring to be broader.  We therefore chose the oval as a substitute and widened the two bands as well, for a much more "va-va-voom" overall effect.  Simply gorgeous on her slender, lengthy fingers - perfect to carry off a design like this at its best.

A simple solitaire with a few twists - "something old" (the antique feel created with the millgrain finish and scroll detail), and "something new" (the accompaniment of a few smaller diamonds around the centre setting and down the sides of the band).

A two-toned version of a French Victorian styled ring.

Sometimes a yellower diamond just looks so great in contrast to a white or black (as per the top image) background/base.  They really "pop" in this setting, as opposed to the more conventional idea of setting yellow diamonds in a yellow gold setting - so done and dull.



Rings and Things

This multi-coloured, broad, domed, diamond and sapphire ring is quite uniquely special.  Who would've thought that sapphires could be found in such a myriad of colours, ranging from pinks and purples to yellows, greens and blues - definitely not just one's conventional royal blue in this example.

I just love a ring with top, as well as side, detail.  Just lends such an interesting perspective from all angles.  And that's (I suppose) the thing with rings - they are very seldom seen from just one viewpoint.  The eventual outcome of this one was very pretty indeed, with it's ornamental undulating edging and millgrain finish.

And now (again) for the simpler things ... also my favourite part of design - no mess, no fuss - just clean lines and simplified design ... always a striking combination!  This one was created for one of my aunts as part of a very special birthday pressie.  It's manufactured in 9ct white gold with a contrasting 18ct yellow gold inlay, and swiss set with white diamonds and a 'sun' gem - the citrine - bringing warmth and light into the wearer's life.

This uncomplicated and striking innovation was custom made for a very special lady.  She had had her black and white diamond engagement ring made several years ago, but had recently received six 'leeeetle' white diamonds from her mother.  So, once again, we designed and created two complimentary side rings, repeating the use of the 'ebony and ivory' idea and combining her whites with some blacks.  The result was particularly effective, especially since its breadth worked so well on her lovely long and slender fingers.

Man oh man, if I only had the money!  This very simplistic and beautiful creation was designed for a very unusual, fancy cut cognac/champagne coloured diamond.  The gemstone had such interesting hues of warm browns and pinks radiating from it's facets, that I suggested the use of a complimentary red gold for it's centre setting, and a contrasting white platinum for it's shank.  When's my next wedding anniversary ... 'oh, let me count the ways' and days ...



Ruby Red

 

I was recently commissioned by an old school friend to manufacture something special for her big day.  It's always so rewarding to work with a client that knows exactly what it is that they have in mind.  In fact, not only did she inform me that she'd be having a 'medieval' wedding, but that her colour scheme would be burgandy and white.

She also supplied me with a very detailed photograph of an embroidered celtic cross.  From there we tweaked, and added and subtracted bits and bobs, which eventually resulted in this creation.  The pendant is made of sterling silver (with interspersed oxidised sections) and set with marquise and cabachon cut garnets and cubic zirconias.  It really complimented and enhanced her gorgeous burgandy and white lace and satin gown beautifully.  Such a pleasure to have had the opportunity to make such a striking piece of jewellery.

Look familiar?  That's because this sterling silver pendant is the second part of a set of jewellery which I manufactured a few months back - 'Marvels of March'.  This is also something which I absolutely love to do when designing - making up sets of jewellery that compliment each other in both design and materials. 

Again for this piece, I've finely pierced the silver to create the lotus flower effect, and tube set a gorgeous red cabachon garnet in the centre.  Now all we need to do is to source a fitting chain, and we have another 'mission accomplished'.

And sticking with the reds ... a domed, 18ct yellow and white gold ring, set with 0.01ct and 0.02ct brilliant cut diamonds, with a border of round rubies.  The inside of the ring (which one cannot see in this photograph) is also cut (pierced) out with detail, which always finishes a piece off so completely.  I always believe that a piece of fine jewellery should always be well finished - inside and out.  Otherwise it's almost as though one would take the time and trouble to erect a building with a solid foundation, straight and true brick work, and shoddy plastering - doesn't quite do the creation justice, does it?

The Simple Things

I have a very 'symbiotic' relationship with a friend of mine - Ren Frouws (http://www.thefamousfrouws.blogspot.com/) - she helps me with the photographic aspect of my work, and in exchange I make her pretty pieces of jewellery. 

This is her pic (with an insanely close up lens, I might add) of a ring I made her a while ago.  It's something I've been meaning to make myself for a while now, but when the opportunity presented itself to manufacture another piece for Ren, I thought 'let's do this thang' (as she's always admired my wedding band which is very similar in design, I thought she should have one for herself).  All the metals (platinum, 18ct white gold, 9ct white gold and sterling silver) are flush with one another, and in the channel are set the most beautifully subtle (alternating) natural pink and white diamonds.  It really did evolve into one of those special 'wow' pieces!

Another one, or two (if you consider the versatility) pieces I made for Ren.  She calls it her 'twisty' ring/pendant, which I reckon describes it really well. 

It's one of those especially versatile (something I love to incorporate in design) and ever changing  pieces, as not only does it look very different on one's finger when turning it around to the left or right (as the curves all differ and change as they revolve), but by simply interlacing a length of simple silk cord, the ring becomes a pendant (which is also very different in appearance when viewed from the front or the side - as it stands away from the chest a little).  Another one I'd love to make for myself at some stage.

The Marvels of March

What a beautifully ornate and detailed piece!  Unfortunately I was only able to photograph it in it's pre-setting phase, so the stones are all unset in their settings.  The centre diamond weighs approximately 1½cts and the two small side stones are aquamarines of a lovely pale blue.

These fine sterling silver earrings are tube set with rich, red, cabachon cut garnets, which really bring them to life.

Another full eternity band.  But this one has a slight 'twist' as the diamonds (approximately 0.05ct each) are set in a zigzag pattern all the way around the finger.  Really a very pretty ring.

The Favourites of February

This uniquely beautiful 'Pink Lady' was created using some very rare (and therefore very expensive) naturally pink diamonds.  Diamonds can also be 'treated' in such a way as to colour them, but these were sourced naturally out of the earth and are untainted by man's interference and enhancement.  A really special piece indeed.

Quite a stunner!  'Bling' from all angles - top and 2D.

This beauty is based on a De Beers design with an abundance of micro-set 0.005ct diamonds and 0.04ct diamonds in the centre.  Really pretty on the finger.

A filigree design made up in 18ct white gold with diamond settings.  Really lovely when a design continues throughout the ring with no beginning and no end - beautiful from all angles, any which way it's worn.

And last, but certainly not least ... an opal pendant with surrounding diamond settings.  These stones are also very special and are mostly sourced in Australia.  What I really enjoyed about making this bespoke piece, was that every side and every angle was different, and I could use my discretion in it's creation.  The top view was dictated in design, but the sides were up to me, so it's full of interesting little twists and twirls which add to it's interest and individuality.

Semi Precious Stone Jewellery

Traditionally, gems classified as precious were those that were both rare and revered.  While market availability or lack therof, was one characteristic of a precious stone, the more important factor was how that stone was used.  Gems that held ceremonial or ecclesiastical value for royal or religious figures were substantially more valuable.  These "cardinal" gems included diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. 


Originally, amethysts were also considered precious, but generous deposits of the purple gem found in Brazil made it available and affordable for the public, and it was no longer labeled a precious stone.  Only these five types of gems were ever considered precious, and today, there are more than 130 types of stones that may be considered semi precious gemstones.

Blue Stone Rings

The rings you see below are all set with blue coloured stones, ranging in hue, hardness, density, refraction of light, cut and size.

Tanzanite:  Discovered in the Merelani district of Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro in 1967. So far, all tanzanite discoveries have been limited to a six kilometre strip in this area, which was divided into four blocks, labelled A, B, C and D. Block C is the only site still commercially producing rough tanzanite at this time.  The stone has never been found in another locality, so it is indeed a depleting resource.  Governmental challenges, flooding, hand mining limitations, and tremendous popularity have now created a worldwide shortage of tanzanite.

 Aquamarine:  Its name is derived from the Latin words for water and sea.  In ancient times, it was believed that sailors wearing aquamarine pendants would be protected from the perils of the sea. The stone symbolized happiness and eternal youth. It was viewed in Christian symbolism to bring moderation and control of passions to its owner. It is a gentle and peaceful gemstone, and it is said to fortify one's sense of self-esteem.

Alexandrite:   Alexandrite is a stone of good omen. Alexandrite can assist one in centering the self, reinforcing self-esteem, and increases one’s ability to experience joy.

Iolite:  It is believed that the Vikings used the Iolite gemstone to help them navigate on the high seas when very far away from the coastline. Looking through the gemstone at a certain angle, the Vikings could determine the exact position of the sun and never got lost when on the high seas. Iolite is believed to be the gemstone of happiness and joy. It is also believed to possess Feng Shui properties that help build relationships with others.

Sapphire:  Sapphires were reputed to protect kings from harm and envy.  In the 13th Century, it was written that sapphires had the power to protect against poverty, make a stupid man wise and an irritalbe man good-tempered.

Earrings

The construction of these earrings vary in style from huggies, studs, and drops to sheppard's hook configurations and are different in design too, from simple single stone suspensions, geometric and linear, and ornate multi-stone cluster to those inspired by the art deco era.


Interestingly, among sailors, a pierced earlobe was a symbol that the wearer had sailed around the world or had crossed the equator.  In addition, it is commonly held that a gold earring was worn by sailors in payment for a proper burial in the event that they might drown at sea.  Should their bodies have been washed up on shore, it was hoped that the earring would serve as payment for "a proper Christian burial".  Regardless of this expression, the practice predates Christianity and can be traced back as far as ancient Greece where the gold paid the ferryman, Charon, to provide passage across the river Acheron to Hades.