Anniversary

A sweet couple sent me this image taken over their wedding anniversary weekend showcasing her Flotsam & Jetsam engagement ring.  It makes my day when clients share their jewelry stories and pictures with me!  

Congrats Melissa & Todd!

image by Jessica Dean

The Serpent Convertible Ring/Necklace for *A Rarity*

I created this limited edition Serpent piece for Kate Ellen's gorgeous boutique Crown Nine.  Kate created an amazing project called "A Rarity" in which she asks jewelry designers to create a special piece in small quantities available exclusively through Crown Nine.  I created this Serpent ring in slightly oxidized sterling silver with a beautiful green diamond.  The best part about the piece is that it also comes with a sparkling cable chain with pyrite bead so that it can be worn as a necklace too.  I love this  design because it is a little bit edgy, but also delicate and completely wearable-in two way nonetheless!  Once these sell out....that's it!

image courtesy of Crown Nine

 I also welcomed super talented photographer/foodie/blogger Eva Kolenko in my studio space to capture how the piece was made.  Make sure you view the entire studio visit and interview too.

 images courtesy of Eva Kolenko

I also adore these shots that Kate took behind the scenes of the studio shoot (check out Eva's sweet little photo assistant, Parker).  You can see more fun outtakes on her amazing blog.  

rose gold feather ring

I love the softness of the feather ring in rose gold that I created for a proposal.

beauty

I adore this version of the twig ring in 18k yellow gold with diamonds nested on either side of the center stone.  Congratulations to the lucky lady that received this beauty!

how sweet it is

This ring has the most darling story behind it.  The client approached me because he knew his girlfriend would love my twig ring.  He then had the wonderful idea to make her a custom ring cast from a branch he sourced from the backyard of her childhood home.  I thought this was the sweetest idea and loved being in on the secret.  In fact, he snuck all the way down to Southern California to the house she grew up in to pull it off!  He wanted a dainty vintage feel, so we went with a beautiful princess cut diamond.  She was wonderfully surprised and he can now call her his fiancé.  I want to start offering this customization service to others as well.  Have a favorite place that you can pluck a small branch from?  Turn it into a gorgeous custom ring that she'll never forget.  Contact me if you're interested in making your very own special ring.

Ruina

A little glimpse at one of my new pieces, the Ruina Ring. This darling was inspired by Mayan ruins I saw on a recent trip to Mexico. It's available in sterling silver or gold with diamonds by special order. You can score yourself some at Esqueleto in Oakland.

all mine

Things have been very busy, as they so often are around the holidays, and even more so when you make something that people want to buy to give for the holidays.

Last week I had a moment to breathe and I decided it was about time that I make my engagement ring.

My fiancé took my advice (good boy) when he proposed and did so with what will become by wedding band. I had my Grammy's gorgeous diamond that I wanted to use, and seriously....trying to find a jeweler the engagement ring of her dreams? Good luck.

My ring is inspired by the heavy Egyptian influence during the Art Deco design period after the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. I've always been fascinated by the mystery that surrounded the excavation, as well as the allure of far away places.

I hand carved my ring in wax and then cast it in 18k yellow gold, my absolute favorite. Two pyramids capture the bezel set diamond, flanked by slithering snakes with diamonds in their heads. Just strangely awesome enough for my taste.

Ahhh, to be in love!

starry night...

This recent commissioned piece was inspired by Van Gogh's classic Starry Night painting. I used various sizes of diamonds and Australian Sapphires in this totally unique cigar band. It was so much fun carving the swirls and striations into the metal. I really just let myself go and be creative with this one, and i'm so glad I did.

transformation

I think that proposing to the love of your life with a ring that has previously belonged to a loved one is oh-so-sweet. But, sometimes said ring needs a little update to become a dream ring.

I recently gave this pretty estate piece a makeover and its owner was one happy lady.

the ring originally had a wide straight band. I laid out the pattern and went to town.Voila! Pretty vintage ring with a sweet modern touch.

love grows

I've pretty much fallen in love with every engagement ring I have created thus far. This one in particular really stole my heart. There comes a point in the design process where grand ideas must be translated into a piece of jewelry that is wearable. This is most important with an engagement ring because it is worn always and forever. This piece really nails that delicate balance. The ring was created to look as much like a tree branch as possible without being too literal. It is earthy and organic without compromising a modern sophisticated elegance. Not to mention, the diamond-wow! The ring has moved on to its new happy home, but that doesn't mean I'm not still dreaming about it....

blossom stackers for spring!

New blossom stackers-spring has sprung! You'll find a diamond nestled in the center of every one. Mini coin stackers too in 14k gold and silver with a diamond. Sure, one looks great, but the more the merrier. After all that is the idea with stackers.

A ring to commemorate...

In honor of a respected and revered career in the Coast Guard, I was commissioned to create this amazing coxswain ring. This ring is solid white gold and represents a mastery in boat handling and significant rank. The idea was to make the ring reminicent of a class ring in style, but more slim, sleek and wearable. I was so pleased with how this project turned out. It somehow feels old-school and current. I love the natural element with the waves and the nautical oars tied together with clean, modern lines. I must admit I worked on it for a LONG TIME, but managed to finish it just in time for Master Chief Jeffrey Smith's retirement. I can only hope that every time he glances at his hand, the ring properly recalls a career well worth noting.

Vintage Modern

It seems that I've become the go-to-girl for non-traditional engagement rings, and I don't mind, not one bit!

This beauty is a variation of my wide weathered band ring in 14k yellow gold. The design itself is quite simple, clean and modern, but the stones are anything but. The warm cognac colored rose cut diamonds hark back to an earlier time. First introduced in the mid 16th century, they have a romantic and intriguing quality. I love how the colors of the diamonds work so well with the yellow gold.

I'll also be designing his and her wedding bands for this New York couple-stay tuned!

The Color of Love

Being a jewelry designer, I often wonder what my own engagement ring may look like. My man sure does have a lot to live up to, and knows very well that a mall store special simply will not do. I'm not saying that I need a big rock, or even a diamond at all, just something unique and stunning in its simplicity. Often times jewelry is like art; you can't put your finger on what makes it work, it just does.

This was the case recently when I was asked to design a non-traditional engagement ring. The client wanted something simple and ancient looking. Perhaps the most important part of this ring was finding the stone. The color we were going for was "the Atlantic ocean on an overcast day." Quite specific. When I came across this amazing Australian Sapphire, I knew it was perfect. The subdued blue/gray/green color would be amazing against the regal gold color of 18 karat. The result is so perfect in my eyes. Jewelry need not be complicated. In this instance, the beauty was in the marriage of perfect simplicity, amazingly harmonious color, and the meaning behind the chosen stone.

The proposal took place during a routine stroll along the pair's favorite beach on the rugged New England coast. She enthusiastically said "yes," and will forever have the memory of her special day captured in the sea-blue color of the stone.

Branching Out

Surprises are the best, especially when you get what you had dreamed of! I love being a part of jewelry surprises when the giver knows exactly what the receiver wants. It allows me to be creative AND be sure that the result will be much adored. This was the case when I was asked to design a custom ring for a Christmas gift that resembled a tree branch. I immediately became enchanted with the idea of having the branch weave around the finger and entrap a trio of brilliant diamonds. The challenge of this piece was finding a balance between having the ring look like a real tree branch, while still remaining wearable and comfortable, as well as making sense when you're only able to see the front section of the ring while it is on the finger. The end result was pure success. Everyone was happy, myself included.