Custom Jewelry

The sketches here are for ideas to satisfy to discerning young ladies who are currently traveling in Chicago. They have asked me to create some pendants that can fit over their current favorite chain. Along with that, earrings and such to match. For al projects shown I will be using Argentum, which is a new sterling silver alloy that is tarnish resistant.

These are photos of my sketch book, showing some ideas. The first is to create a large silver shape (here rectangle and circle) set the stone in the middle and cut a decoritive motif out of the silver around the stone that emphasizes it as well as makes the pendant larger to go better with the chain without dwarfing the stone. (the cutting out technique is called piercing) On this I'm thinking a cushion cut pink tourmaline. Notice that the bail (the part the chain will go through) also has decoritive piercing to match. The request is also for two-tone, so I will be using 18kt yellow gold wire to draw a line around the bezel and a rim around the outside. This picture here shows a setting for a cushion cut peridot, matching earrings and a ring, along with another design for a buff top london blue topaz (bottom left). The peridot would be bezel set in silver with 18kt yellow gold wire lining the bezel. and then edged with a decorative rope design in silver. The pendant is shown square, however I could turn it on it's point to have a diamond shaped pendant. The rope wire will also edge the bail for continuity. The earrings here are drawn with a post but I think I will convert to a french hook to encourage movment from the earring when worn (it will sparkle that much more). Same idea in two-tone as the pendant, but with a diamond shape riveted (loosely) on the back so that it swings even more. This will make the earring a little longer (easier to show off) as well as do away with any rigidity from a longer piece. The ring will be simple and lightweight with a minimal bezel that is accented with 2 gold triangle shapes. (I think I still might sit on this design a bit). The london blue topaz is designed to have oversized prongs big enought to have cz's set in them for extra sparkle. This is in proportion to the size of the stone (it's a little on the bigger side) without making the overall piece huge.This last page shows some designs that are an attempt to be more contemporary, but I'm not completely happy with the concept. Can't win them all.