Symbolic Duo

This set of rings represent the heritage/lineage of my clients. It's their wedding bands and they had the symbols all specified and it was just up to me to make it up. This project is not a very technically challenging but the fact that it will symbolize the lives of my clients I have to pay outmost care on representing the symbols in the finish piece. Most of my pieces starts from a hand drawn artwork and this was not any different but I sent it to my casting house to have a computer redering done up prior to preparing the wax. I just want it to be perfect and a computer model is a lot more precise than any of my hand drawn artwork. With precise lines and symbols that needs to be 100% exact, I had to take that extra step to assure the success of the project.

The symbols include a tortoise, feathers, a bear paw and a wheel. I started a pencil drawing and enlarging each symbol to make sure that my artistic representation of each of the symbols are exact. The computer model just put all these drawings into a more 3 dimensional image.

The set was casted in 10kt white gold and they looked AMAZING...

Rising to a Challenge - created 2009

One of the most challenging projects I faced in my journey as a designer is to create a piece for another multi-award winning jewellery designer. In September 2009, the husband of another local designer came in our shop for a design consultation. He already have the gems with him and just wanted me to draw up a ring design for an upcoming anniversary. It was quite a challenge since the husband might be totally off with the taste of his wife and knowing who she is it even makes me think twice about decisions we are making. If someone would design a ring for me, I would be very critical about the design components and the fit and finish of the piece. All of my pieces are always top notch, since I want each of my pieces to be competition grade. I can't afford to slack off in any of my pieces since it represents me to my future potential clients.

I presented him with only one design concept based on some of the inputs he made and the suggestions of my co-workers here at McGrath Diamonds since they know the wife pretty well. this design is very simple yet showcasing technical components that might be subtle but very eye catching. the shoulders of the ring showcases 2 round brilliant cut diamonds and are tension set. This gives it a very contemporary look but keeping a very simplistic profile, the main gem is pink in color(not confirmed because the client never had it appraised with us) approx 4x6mm in size. We have the main gem set diagonally on its' half bezel head, this way the ring would have a "twisted" look showing off all the design elements we incorporated to the design.

I went for a month long vacation in late October 2009 just a few weeks after we had the ring produced. I had no updates how it all went while I was away, but as soon as I got back I heard some really cool news how much Kristy loved her ring.

Great challenges do truly yield the greatest achievements, and for me Kristy loving my design is one really rewarding achievement. With all the awards under her name, it's such a compliment that my designs is certainly up to par with the best out there.

Black Tahitian Pearl Ring "Peacock Embraced" - created 2008

I am featuring some of my really important pieces from my early years in designing here on my blog. These are really relevant pieces to my career as a jewellery designer, these would be some of the most important pieces in my 7 years in this artform.

This is my first Tahitian Pearl ring for 2008 , I love working with pearls and I think you will see more pearl pieces this year.

This stunning ring features a 10.7mm "Peacock" Tahitian Pearl with a nice mix of overtones, it's set on a swirl of 14K white gold embracing it and a 14K yellow gold tubular shank. This is a 2 piece casting and hand finished, the white gold piece has 12 0.02ct RBC diamonds, each hand set in channels. The yellow gold tubular shank has the pearl on one tip and the other end is accented with a 0.05ct RBC diamond set in a bezel integrated to the shank.

This one is for sure one of my favorite pieces as this is one of the nicest mix of overtones I've seen on all of my "peacock" Tahitian Pearls used in my designs, and the simplicity of this design adds to the enchanting look.

This ring is proudly owned by one of my best clients, Janet. Janet only wears the best of the best specially for her jewellery, and Janet and I already worked on a few custom pieces together in my years in this artform.

Simple Sophistication - created 2008

I am featuring some of my really important pieces from my early years in designing here on my blog. These are really relevant pieces to my career as a jewellery designer, these would be some of the most important pieces in my 7 years in this artform.

This a stunning ring made for the mother of one of my best client. She wanted something different that would combine a few of her current pieces into one truly unique piece. This is truly one of those really special pieces not only because of the technical merits of the piece but the fact that my designs became a family affair. A referal goes a long way and having a whole family refering me to their friends and family is worth so much to me.

This ring a 1 piece casting in yellow gold and has swirl patterns on top, had white gold tube accenting and set with a .33ct round brilliant cut diamond tension set in the swirl pattern. This ring is built for everyday wear and has a substantial heft to it, extremely wearable and very comfortable. Nothing has been compromised on creating this ring, stunning design, exquisite finish and a build quality that would be cherished for a few generations to come.

2005 MJA 3rd Place Technical Merits - Archives

I am featuring some of my really important pieces from my early years in designing here on my blog. These are really relevant pieces to my career as a jewellery designer, these would be some of the most important pieces in my 7 years in this artform.

I just like to disclose that this photograph was taken before my interest in photography. I admit that it would not represent it as an highly artistic photograph.

This is 2005's award winning entry to the MJA design competition, it received the 3rd place finish in technical merit.

It starts out with a two separate ring castings, one in yellow gold and the other in white gold, then set with a .28ct round brilliant cut diamond in a half bezel from the swirl integrated from the shank, the other side is then set with a 3mm round spessartite garnet set in between the 2 joint rings and then supported with a single claw. It's a nice substantial design that echos quality and the finish is second to none. It's such a sight to behold.

This ring is now owned by one of my best clients, it really didn't last long on our showcase after the competition. Carol travels all over the world to look for really interesting pieces and I've seen some of the pieces she owns. I am very proud to have one of my pieces worn right beside the best in the world.

2004 MJA's People's Choice Award Winner - Archives

I am featuring some of my really important pieces from my early years in designing here on my blog. These are really relevant pieces to my career as a jewellery designer, these would be some of the most important pieces in my 7 years in this artform.

I just like to disclose that this photograph was taken before my interest in photography. I admit that it would not represent it as an highly artistic photograph.

This was my 2004 MJA design competition entry, and it's a People's Choice award winner. It would always be a special piece for me since it's my first competition entry and it's my humble start into this trade.

It features a paisley mabe white with pink and blue overtone pearl, with a (approximate) .10ct round brilliant cut diamond set in a white gold swirl that is an accent from the yellow gold hand made frame, and on the bottom right corner of the piece features 2 0.015ct color treated blue round brilliant cut diamonds on white gold. This gorgeous pendant was sold even before the competition took place.