At last, a piece that I am going to keep for myself!!
The stone in this ring is howlite, which is most often seen dyed and passed off as turquoise. I just like it in its natural creamy white form!
Surprise, surprise, this ring is huge – the stone is four centimetres long. I like this ring, it’s really nice to wear, compliments most outfits, and it makes me feel happy!!
I first started smithing in Canberra in 2005 when I did a short evening course in silver jewellery at Dickson College. The idea of being able to create ‘proper’ jewellery excited me, and I was really thrilled to start learning the processes involved in jewellery making! The first ring I ever made was using a moss agate cabochon – I learned metal bending and soldering, made the shank and the bezel, and set the stone. I was so thrilled!
I gave this ring to my mum. When I look back at it now, I can see plenty of flaws, but I also appreciate it as the starting point of what is proving to be a long and very happy journey!
This ocean wave jasper and sterling silver ring was created for Maria.
What a gorgeous stone!
The first project for the goldsmithing course I am doing this year was to design a piece incorporating a bearing seat setting method (a ledge put inside the bezel wall for the stone to sit on), and one or more 12mm or larger stones in either a ring or pendant, with texture. I fell in love with these carnelian cabochons, and had to use them in my piece! Carnelians can be quite brown, but these orange ones are just delicious! I’ve got my eye out for some spessartite garnet cabs which can also be that lovely glowing tangerine colour.
It was a great fun project, both the designing and the making of it! With each project, we have to come up with the concept, do a tech drawing of it, do an art drawing of it, and of course create it. So much fun!
My dear friend Narelle designed this swirl ball cuff ring.
It was a birthday present for her sister, Trini.
I love the whole idea, and it was an interesting challenge to make!
For his 16th birthday, I told my son, Liam, that I would custom make him his own ring.
He chose this gorgeous piece of dendritic quartz, which I set in sterling silver for him.
Beautiful and blokey all at the same time!