As you can clearly see, my client's much loved (and much worn) three stone garnet ring had finally given up the ghost!
Having previously made a number of commissions for her, Lea had come to me in the hope that I might be able to create a newly designed yellow gold ring for her rather gorgeous garnets!
It's so kind of Lea to allow me to share her exciting and inspiring story - as it clearly shows how much can be done to re-design, re-model and re-vamp those pieces in your jewellery collection that have formerly seen better days.
And for Lea, it was definately time for jewellery upgrade!
My client, Lea, leads an idyllic life many of us would wish for - living on the water in a houseboat surrounded by nature.
That said, it was very important to Lea that the ring I created for her was sturdy enough to cope with the day to day work that her lifestyle entails - including operating lock gates and piloting her floating home.
I wanted to showcase Lea's gorgeous garnets a little better than the design of her original ring allowed - but also protect them whilst Lea worked with her hands.
A new low profile half-bezel setting surrounded by a substantial amount of gold should do the trick!
Here's what Lea and I created during her re-design consultation at my Hatton Garden studio.
Creating a new home for Lea's beautiful garnets.
I'm sometimes asked why bespoke rings made by a traditional bench jeweller often look and feel so different to mass produced jewellery.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!
Here, you can see the substantial amount of gold I've used to create Lea's ring.
Take a look at the thickness of the band and the strength and construction of the setting.
Could I have chosen to "slim down" the amount of precious metal used for this piece - either by reducing the over all thickness of the gold or hollowing out some of the metal from the inside of the band to reduce weight and cost?
Well, yes I could.... but I really wouldn't feel comfortable doing so.
Whether making a bespoke ring for a client or a piece for one of my ready-to-wear collections, it's immensely important that this jewellery can be treasured for a lifetime and passed from generation to generation – much like the skill of a traditional goldsmith, a profession I am proud and honoured to follow today.
Trying the gemstones for size.
Ensuring the setting is a perfect fit for Lea's gorgeous garnets prior to gem setting.
The half bezel setting I've planned for Lea's re-designed ring will protect the gemstones when she works with her hands - while allowing as much light as possible to flood these gorgeous gems for maximum visual impact.
Time to get to work at the bench...
After gem setting comes the final polish, where this breathtaking garnet trilogy ring will be taken to a bright polish.
Like most jewellers, I start this process using a large mop on a polishing wheel.
But, for me, the final polish isn't complete until I also hand polish every intricate detail of each piece using a far smaller polishing mop attached to a hand held pendant motor.
In this video, you can join me at my bench as I hand polish Lea's stunning ring. Turn on your speakers to hear the different sounds made by the pendant motor as I get to work in the studio!
All boxed up with some place to go!
Lea is soon to meet her newly re-designed ring for the first time...
"Before and after" pictures of Lea's garnet trilogy ring.
If proof were needed, these photos clearly show how much can be done to re-design, re-model and re-vamp those pieces in your jewellery collection that have formerly seen better days.
If you're keen to re-vamp pieces in your own jewellery collection that have formerly seen better days, I do hope Lea's amazing story will encourage you to get in touch!
I was so thrilled to receive the message below from Lea following her visit to the studio to collect her ring.
I'm so happy Lea loves her commission and thank her for the trust she placed in me to design and make this very special new "home" for her stunning trilogy of garnets.
