Oval Blue Sapphire Mounted In A Platinum Engagement Ring

The blue sapphire is one of the fine gemstones that couples choose for their engagement ring. Sapphires are often heated to bring out their best color and the blue one is sought after as a reminder of our skies and our waters. When looked at, the color blue also has a very soothing effect on the emotions. Sapphires in particular have a depth of color and a lustrous reflection.

Oval blue sapphire set into a platinum and diamond ring

Our customer found us on the Web, a real accomplishment because in a way gregoreandjennifer.com is a hidden jewel. We tinker away from the public eye absorbed in the latest innovative tools and techniques. We privately design to express our passion for the fine art of jewelry and for the joy of expressing the artist each of us is becoming.

Side of the ring showing the clean lines and low profile for the active person

Our customer came to us very sure they wanted a sapphire, but it was only after they saw preliminary hand drawings that the oval faceted shape was settled upon. Visual aids are a necessary part of designing an engagement ring. Fortunately for the development of CAD we are able to finalize a design from a near photographic image. Customer’s understand realism. With this customer and many others taking the next steps involved handling a real, life size example. CAD is misleading because it can be enlarged on our mobile devices to such a large degree that it shows details that are not visible in the completed ring.

We strive to move the process along quickly by getting designs to the customer as soon as we find a gemstone they like.

Once we knew we were on track with the design we ventured into CAD which is a more time consuming process.

three options of the distance the small round diamonds traveled down the finger

Our customer was not sure how many diamonds they wanted to see on their finger. With CAD we made variations fairly easily and the photographic image really helped them to make the decision. It was heart warming and helpful how the couple worked together admiring the process and chiming in with their preferences.

The chosen ring was the top one with three diamonds on either side of the sapphire.

We found the need for the customer to actually try on a mockup of the design which we did by cutting waxes off the CAD with the CNC. We painted the wax with a color similar to that of the metal platinum and inserted real diamonds into the shoulders. They tried on each ring with the sapphire in place to help them see and feel which one suited them best.

two slightly different models of the ring in wax painted silver color like platinum and with real diamonds on the shoulders

When a customer is very handy, artistic and therefore not inclined to wear rings often they really need to try on the new engagement ring, even if just a wax, to see how it feels. We discovered during this stage that our customer needed a narrower band for comfort. The advantage of a wax also helped them see that the edges were softer than how blocky they appear in CAD. Even when a ring is completed we may need to resize it too because the weight of it really affects how it stays on the finger. Our rings are thicker by choice. We want your engagement rings to last more than a lifetime.

the video of the ring the customer chose

We really enjoyed creating this ring because we all worked together to come up with a design they both loved and that was perfectly comfortable. As a reminder always take your ring back to your jewelry designer at least yearly to make sure all the stones remain secure and the ring is fully intact. Everyone uses their hands in a different way and some never take off their rings, so it is prudent to be attentive to your heirlooms. Thanks for reading this!

Custom Engagement Ring Made In Santa Barbara

Probably the nicest engagement ring design experience so far has been the one which we had with our friends. We like to maintain the privacy of our customers so I will not mention any names.

It was a happy and big surprise when he approached us to make the ring for his beloved. We were extremely flattered that he held us with such esteem, and felt a little mischievous glee that we found out about the upcoming engagement before our mutual close friends.

Platinum, diamond and blue sapphire engagement ring

When we first started working together it was clear he had never done this before, mainly he did not know what kind of diamond to get. That is not uncommon, so fortunately we have a reliable source for center stones that are ethically sourced (though there are very few diamonds nowadays that aren’t) and excellent in cut, polish and symmetry.

We started by narrowing down a budget, which is always a smart way to go. Then the process of designing began. It is a credit to our friend that he admitted he really did not know this arena and that he trusted us to come up with something special.

We did push him a little to give us ideas about his future wife’s preferences in fashion, jewelry, color. Luckily we had all spent time together socializing too so we could use our observations to help guide the design. Light blue was a shared favorite color, he liked a classic look, and for her we raised up the center stone and added a halo to fit her charismatic personality.

At this stage she had no idea what he was planning as he was making furtive escapes under the pretense that he was going on a bike ride, which is why he most always showed up dressed that way!

after the first consultation we presented the future groom some engagement ring design choices

It was nice to get to know him better because during the design process he revealed he was somewhat private and traditional in the marriage camp. He hoped to meet the parents, but they lived far away, then there was a career move and an ensuing long distance relationship, so we had not even an inkling that she was the one. She revealed after the engagement that she knew he was the one very early on, women just know these kinds of things.

three quarter view showing the light blue sapphire color he and his fiancee’ like in common

When Covid hit the young couple were on opposite sides of the country, far more socially distanced than either of them wanted. Taking a chance, they made it together and have been spending so much time with each other that their love and compatibility are obvious and making them even more determined to be together in the same place.

The proposal was carefully choreographed, but as many of us know in a relationship, there are things that one can never fully predict. As they began their afternoon walk around the lagoon she quipped, “well, where is our relationship going?” He, keeping his wits about him, hoped and prayed there would not be a squabble before they got to the spot he intended, whereupon he immediately dropped to his knees and proposed. She was so surprised that she exclaimed, “Are you serious?” We think this beautiful ring said it all. She did too and said “Yes!” right away.

A view of the under gallery of the platinum, diamond, and sapphire engagement ring

We had known our friend as single and looking for a while. Patience and perseverance brought both of them mighty rewards and given us a wonderful story during these uneasy times. To a long happy marriage of special friends!

I don’t know about you but the isolation that we are still in the midst of has really given us, Gregore and Jennifer, the chance to look more closely where our values lie, and we have decided we love to spend as much time as we can creating our own designs. More about this later.

The render of the bride’s choice a yellow gold embossed wedding band with white diamonds to complement the platinum engagement ring

His 18k yellow band and her 18k yellow and white diamond embossed band.

The Day At Last

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The Perfect Pendant to Share Your Story- Part 1 of 2

There is an event held annually in the western United States where a temporary city is erected in a desert in northwest Nevada. The late summer event is an experiment in community and art, where you bring your art to share with others. Our friends go because they are artistic, gregarious and appreciate creativity.

The pendant you see here was made to be worn then. The friend who commissioned it, had faceted the center stone and made the silver chain. He wanted to show off his artwork combined with our artwork. Together we decided to weave an elaborate story about his life with his dear wife.

2.5 inch pendant- the front has diamonds on their constellation, location coordinates and signs

So we selected signs and symbols that represented who they are without writing their names. We incorporated their marriage date, their horoscope signs, their representative constellation, the coordinates of where they lived when they were young and then together, their children’s birthdates, their careers, botany and chemistry. The whole design was bound together with the yin and yang symbol, a symbol that represents the totality of life.

2.5 inch pendant-the back of the pendant has signs, dates, coordinates and personal symbols

We decided that wood would be the best material to use. The pendant is large, about 2.5 inches in diameter and wood is light in weight and economical. Also, the black ebony would really look elegant and a great contrast to the bright yellow cubic zirconia gem. We would also be able to get a lot of fine detail in the ebony because it has a tight grain, and with sharp cutters we would end up with a lovely satiny finish.

checking the design in wax

We always do a dry run in wax, whether we are cutting stone, metal or wood. Cutting wax is fast and inexpensive. This way we see the design completed before using the final material. A nice large piece of ebony that has even grain and evenly dark is not easy to find so we want to save it for when we are sure of the design.

cutting the inside from a block of ebony wood

When a gem is involved we tend to focus on seating it first and finishing the rest of the design after. If the stone does not fit you have no pendant, also you want to make sure the stone is seated safely so it is not damaged in any way.

fitting the faceted stone into the front side

inside view of fitting the faceted stone into the front side

It took several adjustments to get the stone to drop right in, and the two sides to close together just enough to trap the stone and not to press on it too hard so that it could get damaged. Our number one focus during the whole process is to make sure the customer’s stone remains in perfect condition.

the inside of the pendant is complete when it closes safely around the gem

Please follow the next blog to hear the rest of the story about the pendant for Desert event.

Star Rose Quartz Ring Custom Made in Santa Barbara

We just got our Star Rose Quartz Ring back from an exhibition at the University of Arizona Gem and Mineral Museum. The curators of the show were AGTA, the Gemological Institute of Great Britain and Somewhere in the Rainbow. The theme of the ring is the star pattern. The inspiration was the Rose Quartz which isn’t expensive but it is rare. Our specimen has a nice star pattern when a direct light is cast on it. The star designs on the ring were set with diamonds so they sparkle like stars in the night. The background is pave’ set with pink sapphires that echo the soft pink of the center stone. The whole effect of the ring is Faberge-like so the Star Rose Quartz has a beautiful platform from which to shine.