Tamar’s Aquamarine Gets a New Home

Designing in a Favorite Style

aquamarine ring

Tamar Thought This Large Aquamarine Would Look Better In A Pendant

Tamar had a large, beautiful aquamarine that was trapped in ring far too small for it.

She envisioned turning it into a beautiful pendant to wear with her John Hardy necklace.

There was a particular style of pendant from John Hardy that Tamar really loved, but she could not find a jeweler that would design it with a custom setting for her pendant idea – they only offered specific pieces of completed jewelry.

They Say, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Really?

Tamar Wanted A Pendant That Resembled This Elegant John Hardy Design

Tamar Wanted A Pendant That Resembled This Elegant John Hardy Design

Tamar wasn’t ready to give up. She decided to find a jeweler that would create a pendant for her aquamarine.

Tamar’s husband learned about her predicament and suggested that she contact me. I had previously worked with him to redesign an inherited piece of jewelry, and he was really happy with the results!

We met up and Tamar was very clear on what she wanted: a lightweight pendant that could be worn casually.

I was ready to make that happen!

Being Part of the Process

CAD design aquamarine pendant

CAD Helped Us Approximate The Design, But Ultimately Just Wasn’t Giving Us The Right Look

wax mold aquamarine pendant

A Hand Carved Wax Mold Let Us Get The Design Just Right

I began designing the pendant in CAD, but wasn’t able to get the elegant, freeform design that Tamar was looking for.

When we reviewed the digital mock-ups, Tamar and I mutually decided that we would be better off carving the wax mold by hand.

Tamar’s pendant was going to be oxidized, so she was very particular about designing it with a three-dimensional “pop.” All of the recesses needed to be just right to create the effect she was looking for.

Three Months, Five Drafts, and One Perfect Aquamarine Pendant

Tamar's Finished Pendant, At Home On Its Chain

Tamar’s Finished Pendant, At Home On Its Chain

woman wearing custom designed aquamarine pendant

Tamar Modeling Her New Pendant

Tamar wasn’t in a rush to get her finished pendant, and we decided to take as much time as necessary to get every aspect just right.

When I’m asked to design something in another jeweler’s style, I believe that it’s crucial to be true to their aesthetic. Thankfully, Tamar understood that this type of work requires time, patience, and meticulous attention to detail!

After three months of altering and re-working designs, Tamar had the aquamarine pendant she had envisioned, and I had another happy client!

Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla Gold

5 1 vote
Article Rating

About Calla Gold

Calla Gold is a Personal Jeweler and Author who takes pride in working with clients one-on-one to integrate their personal sense of style and taste into custom designed jewelry and repaired jewelry pieces.   Unlike typical Santa Barbara jewelry businesses, Calla Gold has no brick-and-mortar location. Calla Gold comes to you, bringing you the jewelry collection you want to see and collaborating with you to create unique custom jewelry. Calla also works with at-a-distance clients.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

6 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Leighton Wells
Leighton Wells
7 years ago

I’m so glad you were able to create the perfect necklace for her! What kind of jeweler would say “you can’t always get what you want”?!? I’m so happy you were able to help her. It’s beautiful!!

Nancy Vassilakis
7 years ago

Calla, this is beautifully done. You were very faithful to John Hardy’s style. Brava!

Linda Havlik
7 years ago

I love acquamarine and that is one gorgeous stone! It looks perfectly beautiful in its new home. I know Tamar is one happy camper.