Gallery

I try hard to add images of things I have made to this gallery. It isn't always possible though because of time constraints, and they do tend to slow down the website, but here are a few things so you can see I am not just a pretty face or some rando on the internet. You can find more of these on my Facebook page, which has existed longer than the Instagram page and this website.

 

In no particular order, here are some of my favourite pieces.

 

Rhodolite Garnet in 9K Yellow Gold

It sometimes happens that I have half a mind to buy a ring back from my client and keep it for myself, because, you know, I guess I must be a dragon on the inside. This ring was one of those. The design might be simple but arguably that is precisely why it is so striking because it does not steal attention from the gorgeous rhodolite garnet set in it. These images really do not do this stone justice. I knew the combination would look good, but I was not prepared for the majesty of the contrast. This stone appears a thick, velvety magenta in this yellow gold setting and even though garnet does not possess the fluorescent qualities of ruby, thanks to artful lapidary work it really does seem to glow from within. What is more, the colour is completely natural, and not the result of treatment at all. This is how the crystal came out of the earth.
The work of a skilled lapidary is one of the most underappreciated crafts. A lapidary does not just sit down and cut a gemstone. They need to know exactly how the crystal behaves on the lap, and how the light bends when it moves through the material, where the colour zones are, which pleochroic properties might interfere with their intended result and exactly how to angle not just the stone within the crystal rough, but the angles of the facets in order to return as much light as possible to the eye. It is quite common therefore for a lapidary to specialise in a specific species of gemstone, and often also a specific step in the cutting and polishing process. If you ever have the opportunity to travel the global East and find yourself in a cutting center like Bangkok or Jaipur (among many others), go out of your way to join a tour of the cutting and polishing businesses operating there. I can guarantee you will come away with a greater appreciation of the journey a gemstone travels from mine to jewel and the many times it passes through the hands of several trained gemologists and specialised artisans before it reaches your local jeweller.
 
I've included some of the pictures I took of the stone before it was set so you can see how the setting brings it to life.

Rhodolite Garnet in 9K Yellow Gold

 

1.52 ct Laboratory Grown Emerald Cut Diamond in 9K Yellow Gold with Natural Diamond Accents

Are laboratory-grown diamonds really diamonds? The short answer is yes. Chemically and structurally, they are identical to diamonds formed in the earth's mantle. I'll return to this section later with a more nuanced explanation than I am able to give right now, but yes, they are diamonds, and no they are not fake. The selling of laboratory-grown diamonds is only dishonest if their origin is not disclosed, i.e. they are sold as natural when really, they are not.

 

 

Family Heirloom Remodel - A Natural Diamond in 18K Yellow Gold

This is one of my favourite remodels.I made this ring for an old high school classmate. We remodeled a family heirloom into this beautiful feminine piece that suits her so well. The ring is made from 18K yellow gold, which is by far my favourite metal to work with, and set with a natural diamond of approximately 0.30ct.


Breathing new life into old pieces is a great way to reduce the price tag of an engagement ring. Most people have a handful of odd items lying about the house, earrings of which the other half of the pair have been lost, an old ring inherited from grandma, but which isn't your taste, and even silver jewellery that have tarnished beyond hope of restoration. If it is precious metal, I can either use it, or credit it, and all the bits and bobs add up. Even worn gemstones can be repolished to restore their former luster, so bring them in and let's chat.

 

Are you thinking of getting engaged soon?

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Shop off-the-shelf designs that have already been manufactured.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work? Where do I start?

The best place to start is with the gemstone that will be the central feature of the ring because this dictates many of the other proportions of the piece. For a detailed breakdown of the process, click here.

Can I bring my own diamond or other gemstones?

Yes, you are more than welcome to do that. Many people inherit a stone from a family member or would like to reuse a stone they bought on another occasion. That is perfectly fine with me.

What metals do you work in?

I work in all precious metals commonly used for jewellery, so that would be sterling silver, argentium silver, yellow gold and white gold (9K, 14K, 18K), and platinum. For more information on precious metals and the difference between them, click here.

What is the difference between white gold and platinum?

Platinum is an element on the periodic table, a metal in its own right, while white gold is an alloy of pure yellow gold and other metals. Here is a bit of history:

In the late 19th century bench jewellery was revolutionised by the invention of the
pressurised oxygen tank, or liquid oxygen, which for the first time became
commercially available at affordable prices. This led to the development of the
oxyacetylene mixing torch, invented in France by Edmond Fouché and Charles
Picard, and for the first time made possible a flame that could reach the
temperatures required for solid platinum (Pt) jewellery manufacturing.

Platinum quickly emerged as the new darling in the world of fine jewellery, with its
brilliant white colour it complimented white diamonds, which thanks to De Beers
were having a moment at the same time too, and its fantastic tensile strength
made extremely delicate designs possible for the first time in history.

With the end of the Edwardian era and the start of WWI, platinum all but disappeared in
jewellery, due to its usefulness as a catalyst in explosive devices but
experienced a brief period of resurging glory (the Art Deco period) between the
great wars, mostly thanks to the discovery of the Merensky Reef, a platinum
deposit which stretches from northern Gauteng into Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

During WWII the US government declared platinum a metal of strategic importance, and almost
completely banned its use in anything outside of military applications. This
led to the development of a new gold alloy we know today as white gold.

White gold is a mixture of pure yellow gold and other metals such as silver, copper and
zinc, which are common in other gold alloys, but with the addition of palladium
or nickel to bleach out the yellow colour. Because its base is still yellow
metal, it isn’t quite white and is usually plated with another, whiter metal to
create the crisp white finish consumers expect. This used to be done with
rhodium (Rh), but after that metal’s price skyrocketed in recent years, it has
been replaced by other metals.

Nickel alloys have almost completely fallen out of use because most people are
allergic to them. It perseveres in mass production white gold jewellery though,
so be sure to ask before you make a purchase. My preferred alloy contains 10%
palladium. Although the palladium content makes it quite a bit more expensive
than the nickel alloys, it has good tensile strength, is unlikely to cause
allergic reactions, and has a white enough finish for it to still appear white
even without the plating.

Because it contains gold (Au), white gold alloy fineness (purity) is expressed the same
way as yellow gold, in karatage (9K, 14K, 18K) or parts in 1000 (375, 585, 750). In South Africa platinum jewellery is usually 95% pure Pt, with a 5%
copper or ruthenium alloy.

You can read more about the composition of white gold here.

Can I buy a diamond from you?

Yes, I source quality diamonds based on your requirements. During your consultation we can discuss the pros and cons of both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. I usually call a few options for you to view before making your decision. I do not keep diamonds on the premises for security reasons, so you will need to book this viewing in advance. For more information on how to choose a natural diamond, click here. For more information on laboratory-grown diamonds, click here.

What if I don't want a diamond?

I get you. There are plenty of other options. Moissanite is increasingly popular as a replacement for diamond, and lots of people are opting for coloured gemstones instead. I can source whatever you need. Click here to browse a selection of coloured gemstones I offer on behalf of a third party seller. Like with diamonds you will need to book viewings in advance because I need time to request the stone from the supplier.

What is moissanite?

Moissanite is a man-made gem which has very similar properties to diamond, although not quite as hard. Click here to read more about this affordable alternative.

What other services do you offer?

Other services include remodeling of old jewellery and insurance valuations. For a list of my services, click here.

Can I see some of the things you have made?

My social media accounts are really the best place to see this, but I have a small gallery on the website which you can find here.