Spring has sprung...and bling, have some...

 

 

This was quite an unusual piece to have made. The “flowers”being somewhat chunky in appearance, lending quite an abstract feel to the ring. One can’t really see it too clearly in the image, but the devil was in the details with this one – yellow (M/N coloured) diamonds set into red gold settings, where the rest of the ring was manufactured in white gold. Quite an artistic little number.

 

 

 

 

A pretty, ornate and leaf-like engagement ring with its variations in colour and texture. The raised areas of the ring being smooth (polished) and yellow gold, and the recessed areas being matt and white gold (plated). Also an eternity –so the design continues all the way around the finger.

 

 

 

 

Every time I look at this ring I think back to my grandmother and the jewellery she used to wear. It has such an “antique” feel, yet it’s been modernised somewhat with a few current tweaks (less fine, dainty filigree detail/marquise shaped setting inserts – top etc). The stone (the client’s own) is also such a beautiful colour in contrast to the white ring. It is almost cognac/champagne in hue, and really quite unusual and special. Such a pity that they (olden day stone cutters) used to feel the need to cut off the culet (point of the stone – pavillion section/underneath) of the stones. Apparently a beautifully cut (proportionately correct/allowing for optimal reflectiveness) stone, was not of importance back then, and design was the priority. Which is why so many of the older diamonds we see in antique jewellery are not brilliant cut (round) and incorporating 52 facets in total.

 

 

 

 

Another “flower” ring – comprising three main blossoms, made up of curved and individually placed petals – each unique and seperate from the next. Quite striking in it’s boldness. Like a bouquet of sparkly, shiny, everlasting blooms.

 

 

 

 

This ring is one of the more conventional designs one saw a lot of in the 80’s. Typically trying to immulate the “Princess Diana” cluster ring style, without a central oval sapphire of course, and instead making use of a circular ring of smaller ones. Three-teared and quite timeless in it’s easily recognisable design style. I don’t think cluster rings will ever go out of fashion, for every few years I’m asked to make one again – no matter the current jewellery techniques, styles and developments, readily available to us today.

 

 

 

Christmas in July!

 

  

 

 

This bow-decorated, tanzanite and diamond pendant was made for the Chinese ambassador's wife whilst they resided in South Africa.  What I love about the piece, is that as it moves with the wearer, it exhibits detail on three sides (top, side, and bottom) and is never one-dimensional, visually. Even the bows are curved into three-dimensional shapes.

 

 

A simplistic trillion cut citrine and diamond ring, set in 18ct yellow gold - emphasising the warm hues of yellow and orange within the central stone.

 

 

This little chunky filigree ring was made for a very special friend of mine.  Her mom passed the central, oval amethyst down to her a number of years ago, but it was very scratched and worn (due to years of wear and tear).  We re-polished the stone and set it into this silver ring, and it appeared as good as new, like it had never been worn before.  Another generation gets to enjoy it now...

 

 

An egg donation (female fertility) company asked me to turn their logo into complimentary gifts for their various donor/recipient clients.  These pendants were created using a silver model/mould that was cast and reproduced many times over, and filled with an orange and pink resin.

 

 

A matching platinum set of rings for "Him" and "Her".  Slightly half-round wedding bands, accompanied by a simple diamond engagement ring - set with a central emerald cut diamond and two side trillion cut diamonds.  Sometimes the really simplistic designs can be the most striking.

 

 

This ring came in for a sizing, but I was able to convince the client that a re-make would be advisable. The initial craftsmanship was so visibly inaccurate, and I think with a relatively simplistic design, such flaws are that much more noticeable. So the "new, improved" version is now definitely more fitting to the wearer, and she seemed a looooooot happier with her newbie.

 

 

Shiny New Year!

What a beaut this one is! A gorgeous cushion cut, sky blue aquamarine surrounded with finely set white diamonds, and an ornate millgrain finish.  A dress ring for that elegant evening out, when you're dressed to the nines!

 

 

Unfortunately, just about two months after making this gorgeously simplistic, yet striking engagement ring...it was lost!  What made it so particularly special for me, was that the groom-to-be was so involved in the designing process - something that is usually left to the bride-to-be, when they've specifically come to me for a bespoke piece of jewellery.  The central +-1.00ct white central diamond is hugged by two smaller black diamonds and set in platinum.

 

 

 

 

Inspired by the celtic style of continuous looping, swirling and twirling - this simple pendant is really quite pretty on an unelaborate chain, suspended lowish on the chest.  Perfect for a V-neck or high neckline garment.  Contructed out of solid round wire, appearing to be unending at its four points of curviture.

 

 

 

 

This engagement ring is really quite intricate indeed, with various filigree-like scrolls, pave' setting and delicate millgrain detail.  Quite lovely, if I might say so myself.  Set in 18ct white gold and white diamonds.