My gorgeous friend Marg, who is an artist (you can view her beautiful work here on her website), commissioned me to create this ring for one of her daughters.
Marg’s daughter chose this divine drusy agate cabochon, as it reminded her of a supernova. As soon as Marg told me I could see how very apt this imagery is!
It is always a joy to work with a fellow artist who appreciates not just my work, but the underlying complexities of being a creative type. Thanks as always, dear Marg!
One of the benefits of being part of organising a school reunion is that along the way, you get back in touch with some lovely people that you haven’t seen since your high school days.
I was thrilled to be commissioned to create this lapis lazuli ring for one of these gorgeous friends (there is a love story attached to this friend and the reunion, but that is a tale for another day!)
Could there be much better than creating a thing of beauty for a person with a beautiful heart?
With help from one of my goldsmithing teachers, I created this hair stick not long after I started at the Goldsmith’s school.
It has become my favourite piece to use to represent The Silver Forge brand – in part because of the simplicity of the plain silver, and in part because of the spiral, which reflects in my logo. I am drawn in a huge way to spirals. Fibonacci sequence = fabulous – but instead of the golden ratio, I’m calling it the silver ratio!
I based the design on a similar hairstick that I found whilst touring in China, so it has special meaning to me. I love my hair stick!
A lovely client, for whom I had previously made this ring, saw these raw ruby pieces that I created and was taken with the idea of a matching set. She asked me if I could source her some special stones.
After a bit of discussion about what colourway she would like, I presented Bek with a few different options – and she fell in love instantly with these totally divine chrysoprase cabochons. So did I, so I was really pleased when she chose them!
I love this set, and it was a joy to create. Let me know if you’d like your own – I’m always happy to go on a rock shopping spree!!
I had a request from a client to turn her husband’s Australian Army major’s crowns into a set of cuff links as a surprise for him.
After a quick refresher to make sure that the melting point of the metal would not be too low to take the soldering, I removed the existing toggles, soldered cuff link backs on the crowns, et voila! (OK, I confess I had to change the direction of the links after a little misunderstanding, but hey – cuff links achieved!)
On a trip through China with my family in 2008, as part of a tour of Shanghai we visted the Jin Mao Tower (at the time the sixth tallest building in the world). Our tower entry tickets rather bizarrely entitled us to a free pearl each at the top of the tower (don’t ask, I still don’t know!), so we wandered past many vendors of tourist tat, and found a counter where a girl whisked out some big flat oysters, popped them open with a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, and offered us a choice of pearls!
We each chose one, and I held onto them for some time, then decided to set them in a ring so that I could enjoy them.
The top of the ring is reticulated – a method that involves heating a sheet of silver to almost melting point, so the surface becomes textured. Fun stuff!
As another addition to my family was on the way at the time, my very kind teacher Sue, gave me a little seed pearl to set in the top of the ring along with the other three. I treasure this ring, and still wear it today!
The garnet gemstone cabochon shown here is 8mm long, and is available to be handcrafted into a custom piece for you.
The sweet agate cabochon shown here is 41mm long. It is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you.
I previously created this cross for a lovely customer to give her partner.
As my client’s partner is a personal trainer, the dimensions my client requested turned out to be a little large for everyday wear – so she asked if I could construct a second cross, leaving the first one for special occasions.
I enjoyed revisiting this process – thanks, Bella!
I love all the cabochons I source, but once in a while I come across a cabochon that I just can’t part with. This grey drusy agate is one of those.
I love this ring, and I’ve been wearing it nearly every day!
If you’d like a custom made gemstone ring of your own, check out my gemstone collection, and let me know which one you love the most!