Favorite Custom Projects of 2022
I love making custom jewelry!
Of all the jewelry I create, designing a piece for a specific individual with a unique style is often the most rewarding.
Since they are so personal, these designs don't always get shared to my mailing list, Instagram or website, so I decided to give you a look at my favorites of this past year as well as shed some light on some of the challenges and rewards during the design process.
If there is a special piece you are thinking of: engagement and/or wedding rings, designs from heirloom stones or jewelry, and sourcing a perfect gem are all fun projects I very much enjoy. You can schedule a consultation here.
xo
Shaya
The recreation of the original, one-of-a-kind scatter ring in a post earring and ring set in platinum
The Floral Scatter Recreation Project
What: Floral scatter ring and earring set
Metal: Recycled platinum
Gems: Natural rose cut grey diamonds
Occasion: Client's retirement gift to herself
I prefer to work with unusual shapes and gems with unique natural inclusions. In most cases, this means that each piece is truly one-of-a-kind with no possibility of duplication. But when someone falls in love with a piece in a metal color that doesn't suit them, with enough time and patience, sometimes I can make magic happen.
For this project, my client wanted a ring and earring set like the floral scatter ring (on the right) but in platinum. Each one of these stones has a non-standard and unusual dimension, so finding the perfect match three times over took nearly a year, pulling from every diamond source I have. And carving a match with the same loose, organic composition took almost as long.
But the result is stunning and an excellent example of what comes from time, patience, and luck!
See the original here!
An heirloom family diamond reimagined as a sculptural engagement ring in platinum with flanking rose cut salt and pepper diamonds
The Heirloom Diamond Engagement Ring Project
What: Engagement ring
Metal: Recycled platinum
Gems: Heirloom family 2+ct diamond flanked by salt and pepper rose cut diamonds
Occasion: Surprise wedding proposal
It's not everyday that I get to work with an antique 2+ct diamond. This particular stone came out of my client's excellent heirloom Tiffany and Co. platinum solitaire (on the right). The original is a beautiful ring but, as usually happens, what was perfect for the grandmother is passé for the granddaughter.
This one was an interesting design challenge because a 2ct diamond is a big stone and a lot more sparkle than many people want to wear on the daily. In this case, my client asked if we could tone down the sparkle with some salt and pepper rose cut diamonds. I often use brilliant cut white diamonds to brighten up dark stones and it works in reverse too!
The result gives enough edginess and balance to the central stone to tone it down while adding a certain amount of delicacy and femininity.
Custom design slots start to fill up as we get closer to wedding season, so reach out with your ideas!