Sleeping Beauty is Becoming More Beautiful!

In the midst of filling orders for my clients, I have been working on setting the diamonds around Sleeping Beauty's face. 

I am still debating whether or not to add two or three dangling teardrop-shaped diamonds from the bottom of the pendant. 

What do you think? More diamonds never hurt anyone, right? ;)

Wax Carving

My latest inspiration comes from a design idea that came to me when I happened upon a gem I've had laying around for a while. Here is the initial layout..

 I started with a chunk cut off of a big block of purple wax and carved a high sided bezel. The stone is a slightly heart-shaped Amethyst.

Top view with and without the stone in place. 

After achieving the shape I wanted for the bezel, I decided to carve a geometric design into the walls. The negative space will prevent the pendant from being too heavy when it is cast in metal while also adding some interesting detail for the eye!

I also hollowed out the bezel from the inside a little more. You can see the thickness of the bezel wall in the photo below, which shows the piece from the underside. 

I will continue the geometric cutout pattern all the way around the bezel and clean up each triangle before casting it in 14k yellow gold.

Stay tuned for more updates on this piece as well as the turquoise Sleeping Beauty and Mexican Opal!

Works in Progress Part II

Last week the new pieces were wax,  this week they are starting their new life as precious metal jewelry! The Sleeping Beauty piece was cast in 14k white gold and the grid work of lines across the back was removed for a more streamlined look.

 

 I'm playing with the idea of adding three pear-shaped diamonds hanging off of the bottom tubes. Who doesn't like more sparkle?

A view of the inside of the setting.

The Mexican Fire Opal piece was cast in 18k yellow gold. This is the top bezel piece, soon to have a sterling silver band soldered on. The yellow gold around the stone compliments the warm tones in the Fire Opal. 

What do you think of the designs?