Smog The Silver, 18ct Gold, Tanzanite & Diamond Dragon Necklace

by Aimee | Oct 29, 2017

Smog The Silver, 18ct Gold, Tanzanite & Diamond Dragon Necklace

Silver, 18ct Gold, Tanzanite & Diamond Dragon Necklace:

This beautiful pendant began its story as a selection of gemstones that have been given as a gift from a friend. After a discussion of the type of jewellery styles and themes some sketches of some dragons, as well as some dragonflies began. All would be statement pieces using a number of the tanzanites, citrines, and diamonds.

The dragon designs looked quite whimsical and the chosen design was handmade in sterling silver and 18ct yellow gold with tanzanites in the wings, diamonds in the body and a citrine in the gold firey flame.

How was the silver dragon pendant made:

From the beginnings of a conversation and a few sketches, some CAD designs were created. The settings for the tanzanites were made using silver firstly. Sawing and filing many grooves into the square wire and soldering together I created the outline of the wings and body. Once all soldered together some shape was given to the wings using a doming punch from the reverse side and filing and sawing from the front to make it look more delicate. All of the settings were soldered onto the wings and body (this was exactly like a game of operation with a shaky hand and tiny tweezers) and it was ready to be set, polished and placed in a nice big wooden box. My stone setter also decided to call him smog!

Commission your own jewellery

Begin with an email

If you would like to discuss a similar piece of jewellery please send me an email via my contact page. Alternatively come and follow one of my social media accounts, leave a comment, like, review and share. I’d love to hear from you.

Handcrafted Platinum Diamond Eternity Ring

by Aimee | Sep 18, 2017

Handcrafted Platinum Diamond Eternity Ring

Handcrafted Platinum Diamond Eternity Ring:

This platinum eternity ring set with tiny diamonds was designed to be delicate and comfortable when worn. Each diamond is held securely by 4 claws on each side

How this platinum diamond eternity ring was made:

The ring was carefully carved in wax using a jewellers saw (piercing saw) and files of various sizes to create the shape needed. From the solid block of wax, the desired ring shape can be created with patience. I often using hot water and some pumice powder at the end to get a really good finish at the end. The better the finish the wax can be the better the platinum casting result you will get.

Once it is cast in platinum the process of polishing begins using files, abrasive papers and polishing mops. The ring is sent to the assay office to be hallmarked. It is at this stage the diamonds are placed around the ring. The ring is drilled and the claws carved to allow the diamonds to be captured within the platinum eternity ring.

A final polish and the ring is so sparkly!

Commission your own jewellery

Begin with an email

If you would like to discuss a similar piece of jewellery please send me an email via my contact page. Alternatively come and follow one of my social media accounts, leave a comment, like, review and share. I’d love to hear from you.

9ct White Gold Grain Set Diamond Shaped Wedding Ring

by Aimee | Sep 18, 2017

9ct White Gold Grain Set Diamond Shaped Wedding Ring

9ct White Gold Grain Set Diamond Shaped Wedding Ring:

This 9ct white gold wedding ring was created and shaped to sit next to the engagement ring without any gaps. The diamonds have been set in a very traditional grain setting with a milgrain edging creating a very delicate and vintage looking ring.

How were these made:

This wedding ring was designed using CAD/CAM. A resin was made and then cast in 9ct white gold. Once the casting is returned from being tested and hallmarked the ring goes through a process of emery paper and polishing. The ring is then polished by hand, the diamonds set and then the milgrain edge is applied.

If you would like to discuss a similar piece of jewellery please send me an email via my contact page. Alternatively come and follow one of my social media accounts, leave a comment, like, review and share. I’d love to hear from you.

Commission your own jewellery

Begin with an email

Handcarved Gold Elephant Pendant and Earrings

by Aimee | May 5, 2017

Handcarved Gold Elephant Pendant and Earrings

Hand-carved Gold Elephant Pendant and Earrings:

This elephant jewellery collection was made for a 60th birthday present for someone who loves to travel and had a love of elephants keeping many elephant decorations around the house.

The birthday gift had to be for everyday wear with a particular love of emeralds to be included in the designs.

I chose to research into the decorated elephants of Burma as part of the birthday present was also a holiday in Burma. The trunk and saddle would be the perfect areas to set the emeralds and rubies. All set in delicate grain settings these would make a great feature on the pendant and earrings.

How were these made:

The elephant pendant was carved by hand in wax. I choose a green wax for its strength. The wax was then sent off for casting in 9ct yellow gold. During this process, I chose to have a cold mould made as well. Whenever I have spent a long time creating a wax piece I usually have the cold mould made in case there is any casting disaster resulting in having to start again.

The earrings were designed using a CAD computer program, each piece was then 3d printed and cast in gold.

Once the elephant pendant and earrings were in a gold form I could clean, polish and send it for hallmarking. On their return the emeralds and rubies were set along the trunk and saddle.

The final stages of hand making this elephant jewellery collection were to mask off everything I wanted to stay a yellow colour. All surfaces left would be plated white with rhodium, I used a red resist pen to do this. There were 2 reasons to do this, 1: I wanted the decorated saddle to be a white metal, 2: Many gems show a better colour when set in a white metal.

The red resist can be removed when the pieces have been rhodium plated and the pendant and earrings are then ready to wear.

IMG_0108

IMG_0112

IMG_0118

IMG_0232

IMG_0219

IMG_0245

IMG_0230 (1)

IMG_0243

IMG_0264

IMG_0290

Commission your own jewellery

Begin with an email

If you would like to discuss a similar piece of jewellery please send me an email via my contact page. Alternatively come and follow one of my social media accounts, leave a comment, like, review and share. I’d love to hear from you.

Platinum & Diamond Halo Engagement & Wedding Rings

by Aimee | Mar 15, 2017

Platinum & Diamond Halo Engagement & Wedding Rings

Platinum & Diamond Halo Engagement & Wedding Rings:

The engagement ring was designed as a complete surprise and is actually part of my blog
How To Sneak Your Engagement Ring Abroad & Propose. Once going through I few design alternatives a halo theme was decided on. I wanted to make the engagement ring a little more unusual and created the band and claws of the ring to almost grow through the halo making this a much more organic design.

Made in platinum and set with a 0.60ct central diamond which is certified FVs1 in colour and clarity.

The wedding ring was designed to sit underneath the halo of the engagement ring. Set with a delicate line of grain set diamonds.

How were these made:

Each ring was designed using CAD/CAM. The delicate coil setting around the ruby was the most delicate area to file, emery and polish without destroying the detail. Once each piece had been cast, cleaned up, polished and soldered together the rings were hallmarked, and the ruby and diamond set in place using rub over settings.

Commission your own jewellery

Begin with an email

If you would like to discuss a similar piece of jewellery please send me an email via my contact page. Alternatively come and follow one of my social media accounts, leave a comment, like, review and share. I’d love to hear from you.