Custom Design: A Case Study

You need three basic things to create a piece of custom jewelry:

1. Inspiration
2. Design sense
3. Fabrication skills

Not all jewelers have the ability to take your ideas from concept to creation. Steward does. Here’s how the process unfolded for one of our clients.  Let’s call him Eric.

As he watched the movie The Great Gatsby, Eric was struck by the bold design of Jay Gatsby’s cufflinks. 

These geometric cufflinks have an Art Deco flair. 

Eric came to the Diamond Exchange and asked Steward to make him a signet ring with a similar look. Their first meeting produced the following sketches:

Note how the original idea evolved during the brainstorm.

After Eric approved the final design, Steward constructed his ring of 18k yellow gold. To make Eric’s initials stand out, he chose to cast them into the top of the ring rather than engraving them. The result: an elegant, weighty piece with crisp details that will stand the test of time. 

Every detail of Eric's ring was cast into the metal.

 Eric's ring is still in progress. But stay tuned; I'll post photos of the finished piece as soon as I get them!

Make Christmas 2013 Special By Design

The Christmas season is just three months away. Have you started thinking about gifts for the one you love?

Custom design is the most direct — and sometimes the only — way to get exceptional jewelry that’s exactly what you want. Steward, a skilled jewelry designer and craftsman, will work with you to:  

Evoke a special memory or interest 

Did you meet or marry by the ocean? Does she love architecture or the color red?       

Bring a treasured heirloom back to life

Would you like to propose with your grandmother’s well-worn ring? 

Recognize how she’s evolved

Does she still prefer yellow gold to white? Does she have jewelry that contains your children’s birthstones? 

With custom jewelry, you can let your imagination run wild!

Before the holiday rush, Steward can usually take an idea from concept to creation in three to six weeks. The sooner you act, the better. Stop by today and let’s put our heads together!    

Want to learn more?

Next week, we’ll take you inside the design process via a recent customer commission!