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The Custom Jewelry Process
At Earth’s Treasury, we absolutely love working with our clients to make their custom jewelry vision come true, whether it’s just “your version” of a classic style, or something totally unique like this ring below. Follow along and see how one client’s vision was taken from idea to finished ring (or in this case, rings).
1. Select your stones
Our client had a vision of a ring that captured the green of the forests where she grew up. She had selected the green Montana Sapphire center stone because Montana had a special meaning in her relationship, and the green color reminded her of the forests of the Pacific Northwest. She also wanted to integrate yellow hues to capture the feeling of the mixed forest of conifers and deciduous trees in the autumn. Based on these ideas, our jewelry designer Lauryn came up with a concept for a vine-like ring set incorporating all Montana sapphires, and then started the process by selecting a suite of stones that combined the yellow and green hues our client loved.
The watercolor rendering of our client’s vision for her rings. She wanted an organic vine-like set utilizing greens, teals and yellows.
2. Show us your idea
Once she had selected all of the stones, Lauryn created a series of sketches to solidify the idea with the client. When she had agreed to the concept, Lauryn created a small watercolor rendering of what the final ring would look like.
While we only do this for special commissions, we often will do basic pencil sketches as part of the regular design process.
3. Computerized CAD modeling
Our client was delighted with the watercolor, so we moved on to the next step: creating a computerized CAD model of the ring. This is the most complicated process for us internally, especially for a complex shape like this, but it also allows us to create a ring that is precisely matched to your gemstone, ensuring a perfect fit.
The rings are created with a jewelry CAD program so the ring can be cast to perfectly match the gems.
4. 3D model rendering
Once the CAD model is made, we create a 3D computer rendering to give a better impression of what the finished ring will look like in person. While not perfect, it’s much more life-like than a sketch or painting. This is also the time where any small adjustments to the design can be made.
The 3D computerized rendering of the client’s two rings, showing how they flow and fit together perfectly.
The 3-D printed prototype of the client’s ring printed in a quick prototype resin.
5. 3D printed prototype
Once the CAD model is made, we create a 3D computer rendering to give a better impression of what the finished ring will look like in person. While not perfect, it’s much more life-like than a sketch or painting. This is also the time where any small adjustments to the design can be made.
6. High resolution 3D print
If everything fits as expected, the next step is to print the ring in a special castable wax or resin, depending on the project. This version is printed at an extremely high resolution so that every detail can be faithfully reproduced.
The model is then sent to a specialty casting house, to ensure that we get the very best product possible.
This particular ring was cast in platinum, but we have a wide variety of precious metals you can choose from.
The raw casting shows fine detail/lines from the casting process. It will take hours of finishing work to get the ring to its final state.
7. Finishing touches
After many hours of careful finishing work, the matched rings are finally complete. To retain an organic look for this pair of rings, we left portions of the “branches” of the vines unpolished or only lightly polished, to give them a textural feel. As you can see, the final product is faithful to the original watercolor sketch and the 3D rendering.
The client?
She was ecstatic–scroll down for the image she sent and her testimonial.
The finished pair of rings, ready to deliver to the client.
Premium Source of Montana Sapphires
The largest source of mine direct Montana Sapphires.
eco friendly & Ethical sourcing practices
Eco-friendly and conflict-free gemstones, and recycled precious metals.
in-house design & gem cutting
Award-winning cutting done here in the USA and all jewelry made on our premises--no mass-produced settings!
