october already?

Well it seems that the entire month of September eluded me, so sorry about that!

Here's some of the new pieces I've made lately, off to Arbor and Small Space for the impending festive season.

gold stamped earrings in 18ct

single loop studs in sterling silver

wattle african style ring in sterling silver

And a lovely commission just finished also,

ceylon sapphire in 9ct rose gold textured setting and 9ct grey gold band

nuevo

Some new rings made it off my bench this week, all heading off to Arbor to be seen and tried!

Two larger sized wedder style rings in two-tone silver and 9ct rose and yellow gold...

And one Australian green Sapphire in a fantastic olive colour, set in 9ct rose and grey golds...

And here's the proof they didn't just materialise out of thin air...

 

green and gold tones

I don't believe in that saying "gold and green should never be seen", or blue and green also for that matter.  In fact, green and blue stones look incredible in the richness of 18ct yellow gold, a perfect tonal combination.

I finally got around to making something out of my one-in-a-million natural Parti Sapphire, it's been a while in the making!

Combined with an amazing emerald, this is definitely my new favourite piece of the moment - and it's all mine!  There has to be some perks to being a jeweller right?

proposal ring

Why not a proposal ring?  That 'ring in waiting' until she decides on the design she wants, certainly takes the pressure off the proposer!

Antique style signet ring in 9ct white gold with a secret diamond.

the design journey

An exhibition at Arbor in Brunswick Melbourne opening Thursday 1st August, and running the entire month of August.  I will be exhibiting a piece of my very own, amongst other very talented local jewellers, come along for a drink at the opening if you're in Melbourne.

The Design Journey is one of three shops, in the lovely plaza that Arbor is situated, who will be exhibiting based on the theme of the design process from concept to object.  A process worth exhibiting!

Part of the Craft Cubed 2013 program by the wonderful Craft Victoria.

it's like this

Sometimes a piece of jewellery reminds you of a familiar artwork, and sometimes an artwork reminds you of a piece of jewellery.  This new section of my blog "it's like this" will show some of those similarities and comparisons that I pick up now and again.

To start off with I'd like to commemorate the recently passed Australian painter Jeffrey Smart, and some of the comparisons I've seen in these jewels...

Jeffrey Smart 'Luxury Cruise' 1972-73

Ramon Puig Cuyas, 'N.1280 Primacolor II', brooch

Jeffrey Smart, 'Portrait of Clive James' 1991-92

Per Suntum, 'As plain as it is' brooch

Jeffrey Smart, 'Playground at Mondragone' 1998

Annelies Planteydt, 'Beautiful City - Red Pink Cabinets', necklace

Jeffrey Smart, 'Autobahn in the Black Forest', 1979-80

Linda Hughes, 'Trio of Posts', brooches

restoration

As a jeweller it is very pleasing to be able to take something cherished and old and with many stories, and restore it to it's former glory, which in turn makes the piece safer to wear without fear of losing any stones or it breaking or bending.

This dainty old ring from around the 40s, consisting of 18ct yellow gold and palladium with white sapphires, had worn so thin at the back of the shank that it was uncomfortable to wear and was at risk of breaking through.  Also, the top section had worn smooth, exposing the stones more than what was safe and making the original mill grain disappear.

ring in worn state

old shank cut off, ready for new shank on left

Once the new shank was in place, all the stones were checked for stability and the original mill grain pattern was applied, giving it form again and emphasising the vintage appeal of the piece.

restored ring with new shank and re-grained setting across top

And the old shank did not go to waste either, I kept it as it was (it had a beautiful series of hallmarks inside it) and turned it into a simple necklace, perfect for everyday wear.