One of the lovely mums from school had inherited this gorgeous piece of smoky quartz, and asked if I would be able to make it into a pendant for her to give to her mum. The stone even came to me in a cute little vintage box!
I created the setting so that the stone would be protected, but the maximum amount of light would come through – I always aim to make the stone the star of the show!
Thanks, Emma, and I’m so glad your mum loves her new pendant!
A friend from circus training needed a gift for a girl about to have her bat mitzvah in the US. He wanted something that was age appropriate, timeless, and Australian without being tacky.
I designed this pendant for him, the gum leaf and the opal both being very Australian!
I love boulder opal, so many fabulous colours.
My lovely client Rosie loved a pearl ring I’d created for another customer and wanted one of her own.
I made her this one. Pearls and silver look so gorgeous together!
Kathy contacted me to see if I could create a lion ring for her girlfriend, who’s last name is Lyons.
Using my jeweller’s saw, I hand-cut and overlaid this lion rampant onto the ring.
Kathy’s girlfriend was really chuffed with the ring, which makes me very happy!
I always love to see behind the scenes of manufacturing – maybe it all stems from that cool crayon factory clip that used to be on Sesame Street? One of my gorgeous clients, Natasha, asked me to use this charoite in a ring for her mum, and her mum was interested to see the work in progress. I have written before here, here and here about my processes, and I thought you might like to see some more!
It started with this luscious piece of charoite which Natasha spotted in my gemstone collection.
Using a strip of silver and my trusty half round pliers, I made a bezel for the stone.
I fitted the stone to a piece of sheet silver.
After sawing out the shape of the backing plate, I prepared to solder.
After soldering, the silver becomes oxidised and it seems far-fetched that this will ever turn into something beautiful!
Some careful measurement, and more bending with my half round pliers, and a ring shank is made.
A quick check that the stone fits properly, then I’m ready to solder the shank to the top.
The shank is lined up on the top, and soldered firmly in place.
Time for lots of filing and emerying to get the silver ready for the stone to be set.
After plenty of time with my engraving ball and chasing hammer, the finished product!
Zoe has the most divine engagement ring from Tiffany’s, and as it is large and sits right on her finger, she needed a custom made wedding ring to go with it.
I designed Zoe this ring, which fits around her gorgeous engagement ring nicely. It’s a little bit like a medieval crown!
After the wedding, Zoe’s husband decided that although he doesn’t wear jewellery in general, he also wanted a nice simple wedding ring, so I was happy to create that too!
Thank you, Zoe and Matt, for choosing me to create such important pieces for you! Wishing you both a lifetime of joy and contentment.
Lovely Laura wondered if I would be able to create a similar piece to a costume ring which she and her friend both loved, as it was made in a plated base metal which had deteriorated.
It was a mercy dash to the finish line, as the ring was needed for a special birthday right away!
Although it’s not identical (the original would have been cast in a factory mould), I think it turned out ok – and I believe the birthday girl was very happy too!
Thanks Laura!
Occasionally I do stop long enough to make myself something! I confess it was over a year ago that I made this ring, and it’s taken me this long to post it.
As you can tell from its well worn appearance, I wear it all the time!
A lovely dad, George, was asked by his daughter to have me create this custom made pearl and sterling silver ring for her birthday.
I was very glad to help! Simple and stunning.
Bandar admired this serpentine ring in my shop, and wondered if I could resize it for him.
I wasn’t able to, but luckily I had another cabochon the same in my gemstone collection, so I created him the same ring but in his size.
The ring is now happily in Saudi Arabia with its new owner!