We begin with a cad rendering, which creates an opportunity to make changes to the design before the custom piece is made. Once we have an exact image of the custom item, we turn that image into a wax model through a combination of hand-carving, milling, and wax growing techniques. Our customers enjoy the ability to view the wax model, as it is a fun aspect of the design process, and helps to lend a greater appreciation of what the jewelry will look like once it is finished. |
If no changes to the wax model are requested by our customer, the model is then invested and cast with the precious metal of choice (Platinum, Gold, or Silver) specified by the customer. At this point, the jewelry is ready for our master bench jewelers to set any gemstones, clean, and polish. Below are some examples of what we have created for our customers. |
Salt & Pepper Diamond Wedding Set
We started this ring by bringing in a parcel of salt & pepper 2ct diamonds for our client to view. Once we settled on the perfect one, the solitaire ring was created based on the exact measurements of the pear diamond. Then, using the original CAD file, we created a shadow band with marquise and round diamonds that fits next to the engagement ring perfectly. We cast both rings in 14K Rose gold and the final look is stunning!
Men's Teak Inlay Ring
Teak is a wood commonly used in various types of boats. Since this client is a member of the U.S. Navy, we created a custom wedding band for him with a teak inlay. We further accented the ring with the same type of gemstones that we used in his fiancée's engagement ring. Multiple coats of stain were used on the wood to highlight the grain before it was sealed for protection and durability.
Estate Ring Remake
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While we hated hearing the story behind why we were making this ring (it was stolen over 10 years ago), we were grateful that our client came to us to replace this long missed treasure. All we had to go off of was a small blurry picture, an old appraisal, and her impeccable memory. It was more than enough. After coming into the store on a couple of occasions to actively participate in the design, we were ready to make it real. When the time came to open the black leather ring box, she eagerly lifted the lid, and hidden inside was a little light shining brightly on what was once an almost forgotten memory. She reached for her new ring and with a slight tear and a huge smile, tried it on. It was perfect.
Initial Knecklace
To celebrate their friendship, this client wanted us to handmake a necklace with the first initial of her name and her best friend's name. We started by melting 14K yellow gold into an ingot, and then rolled that out into a sheet of gold with the thickness that we needed. Our master jeweler drew each letter onto the sheet, and then proceeded to cut the letters out with a jewelers saw. The letters were then soldered into the respective chains as a stationary design.
Woven Rose Gold
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Our inspiration for this ring came from our on-line store. We had a ring that was similar, but our client wanted the woven pattern to look very specific and for the diamonds to go farther down the sides of the ring. We sketched the pattern in CAD and then used a technique called smart flow to transform that pattern around the ring. The diamonds were extended farther down the sides and we gave the prongs for the center diamond that we sold them a custom look as well.
Multi-row Diamond Band
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Not one to shy away from a lot of bling, this client requested a wider ring with "rows and rows of sparkle". We determined the best width based on her finger and then chose a diamond size that allowed for multiple rows and one that offered a very robust look. The ends of each row of diamonds were staggered to help give the ring less of a standard look and more of a custom. To enhance the brilliance of the diamonds, we even rhodium plated the rose gold under the diamonds.
Rubber Mold Copy
Not all jewelry has to be designed on a CAD software program, hand carved, or made via fabrication on a jeweler's bench. Sometimes, taking a piece of costume jewelry and turning it into precious jewelry is all that's needed. For this customer, we copied her existing ring using volcanized rubber to get an exact impression of her current ring. We then used that impression to get a wax model that we then cast using all of the customer's gold that she collected from various old rings, chains, and earrings. Our skilled jewelers melted her gold and cast it using the wax model. Once the moonstone was reset into the new mounting, the result was a perfect copy of the original ring, only in 14K yellow gold.
Gold Evergreen Tree
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"Every place that I'm stationed at, I get her a gift symbolic of that place" If you're stationed at JBLM, then there's nothing more symbolic of Washington than an evergreen tree. We had one of our jewelers hand carve the image of an old growth evergreen tree that our client provided us out of jewelers wax. We then cast that wax model in 18KY gold and affixed a bail turning the piece into a custom evergreen pendant. The level of detail that we were able to achieve is incredible!
London Blue Topaz Ring
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Rose gold and London Blue Topaz are complimentary colors and when the two are combined into one ring the result is quite pretty. The pear cut of the Topaz is subtly accented by the split shank design of this custom ring. Sometimes, all it takes to create a stylish ring is the right color of gold and the perfect blue colored gemstone.
Larimar & Diamond Ring
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Larimar, often referred to as the "Daughter By The Sea" gemstone is most commonly found around the Dominican Republic. It's beautiful light and dark blue coloration accented with wisps of white is reminiscent of the water and sky in the tropics. To compliment this nature, we gave this ring an open free-form look and added some additional sparkle with a cushion cut diamond. The larimar was custom cut by us and this client was extremely excited to see the finished ring.
Platinum Diamond Ring
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Our client wanted to create an engagement ring that was a stylish blend between vintage and modern. The milgrain around the halo and shank along with the filigree in the gallery (under the center diamond) helped to create the dated look that our client wanted. By setting the diamond in a halo setting and balancing its larger size with a Euro-Shank, we were able to add just a touch of modern to the ring, and the result is an incredible Platinum engagement ring whose beauty will be truly timeless.
18KW Cuff Links
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As long as it is being made out of Silver, Gold, or Platinum, we can create anything and these custom cuff links show that. Solid 18K white gold, the design reflects the logo for our client's business and we increased the contrast in the design by high polishing all of the cuff link except the table, which has a brushed finish.
Shadow Bands
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When it comes to custom designs, we are the best and that includes hand-carved shadow bands too. We were given an engagement ring purchased over seas and asked to make two diamond bands that looked like they were made to go with the ring. In an effort to help show what the rings would look like together, we recreated the engagement ring via CAD and then designed the two gold bands. The actual rings were carved by hand to ensure a perfectly tight fit. The rings look like they were all purchased at the same time and not on opposite sides of the world and years apart!
Two Tone Wide Band Ring
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We started with the idea that we wanted the bottom of the ring to balance in width with the large center gemstone. But, we didn't want the ring to simply look like a large diamond band. By making the outer edges yellow gold and then raising them higher up on the prongs while also tapering them inward, we were able to give this ring a graceful yet heavy look. This 14K two toned diamond ring turned out absolutely beautiful!
Star Wars Inspired Ring
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There's no limit to custom jewelry and this ring proves that. Being a true fan of all things Sci Fi, our customer wanted a ring inspired by R2D2. We gathered various images of the robot online and discussed the stylistic aspects that were appealing to them. Once we narrowed down the overall look that we were going for, we incorporated diamonds, sapphires, rubies, etc. into the design thus turning the Sci Fi robot into a custom gold engagement ring. To give the ring a smooth fluid symmetry, we utilized a technique called organic modeling and the result was an engagement ring that is truly one of a kind.
Platinum Anniversary Ring
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Cast in platinum and set with high quality accent diamonds, the motivator behind this design came from the generous size of the three main gemstones. We needed a way to showcase them in a complimentary, comfortable, and secure way. We accomplished this by combining an anniversary design with a bypass shank. The result was a ring that emitted so much sparkle and fire it was hard to photograph.
Bench Fabricated Gold Turtle Ring
We started with a tie-tack that our customer had and that her father used to wear. It was highly sentimental, but not something that she would ever wear. She also had a gold band that spent most of its time in her jewelry box and not on her finger. With some creativity, a laser welder, and our master jewelers, we turned these two separate pieces of jewelry into a unique and very sentimental custom gold ring.
Custom-cut Moonstone Pendant
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Our client had this moonstone custom cut, and after a couple of years, she decided it was time to do something fun with it. We discussed various options, and together, we decided that the setting needed to provide movement to the moonstone in order to highlight the blue flash that rolled across the table when viewed from various angles. This design definitely compliments the beauty of this moonstone and is absolutely a statement piece.
10KW Diamond Bands
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We were asked to create a bezel set wedding band that was flanked on both sides by flush set diamond bands. A rendering of the ring was created to confirm the design, and then the settings, bands, and gemstones were ordered. Our bench jeweler hand fabricated the ring by cutting seats for the various gemstones into the bands and by soldering the bezel settings into place. All of the gemstones were hand set and the finished rings look amazing!
1ct Princess Solitaire
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Can you make a square diamond ring that is set at 45 degrees? We not only created the style that this customer wanted, we sold them a higher quality diamond for $700 less than what they were being quoted elsewhere for lesser quality 1ct princess cuts. The shank is 14KY and the head 14KW.
14KW Dragonfly Ring
Inspired by a butterfly ring that he had once seen, this customer wondered if it was possible to take that idea, expand upon it, and create an absolutely stunning engagement ring and matching wedding band in 14K White Gold with pave diamonds.
The center gemstone is an old mine cut Blue Zircon.
The center gemstone is an old mine cut Blue Zircon.
Art Nouveau Ring
This Art Nouveau styled ring was made with 14KW and complimented with a Brilliant Diamond set in a 6 prong head. Our client wanted a ring that had a delicate organic yet traditional look to it and this design speaks to that.
Floral Gold Band
After having seen our custom art nouveau engagement ring, this client requested to have it modified into a wedding band with pave Diamonds and Emeralds.
The ring went through one set of renderings, a wax model was made, and the stones were set after the model was cast in 14KW.
The ring went through one set of renderings, a wax model was made, and the stones were set after the model was cast in 14KW.