I recently had the absolute honor of creating my first solid gold engagement ring for a very special customer. I collaborated with her soon to be Fiance and her sister to come up with the design concept.
The stone is a gorgeous Herkimer Diamond which had been dug out of the Herkimer mine in New York State just weeks before we were ready to start designing. It came to me like “Here I am, I’m the perfect stone for this ring.” I got goosebumps and chills when I laid eyes on it. I chose solid gold for the ring because to me it represents purity, brightness and classic beauty, which resonated with the vibe of the stone and with the bride to be. Working with solid gold (while a bit intimidating at first) is an intoxicating experience.
A prominent jewelry artist was quoted as saying “Once you work in gold, you are ruined for other metals.” While I can’t say I’m ruined for other metals, I was completely captivated and enthralled with the process, and I definitely want more of it. I wanted the design to be a fusion of minimalist and “Crown Jewels”; one part sweet and one part fierce, so I chose a rustic but smooth as silk prong setting which arcs up over the stone like beautiful curved spires. I was thrilled with the final result. I was even more thrilled when I got to see the proposal happen via skype, and the bride to be’s reaction to her engagement ring. It was a fantastic, challenging, inspiring, and all together amazing commission that I am so happy to have been a part of.
