Homeless and Much Loved Square Gems Get an Amazing New Home
Top View of Charla's Wax, With Gems Laid on Top.
How a Custom Designed Ring was Made - Charla's Story
I'd just left Donna's house. I had a sack of repairs and re-dos. While juggling my car keys, briefcase and repairs, my cell rang.
"Calla Gold Jewelry," I said.
"Charla would like to speak with her 'Favorite Jeweler' about a new project." Said my secretary Irma with a chuckle.
"That's awesome, patch her through" said I. And she did.
Charla and I juggled our two appointment books and agreed to meet the next day.
It Started With Her Square Gems
Charla wanted to re-use her great looking square cut colored gems from jewelry that wasn't being worn anymore.
She contributed a band of Princess Cut Diamonds to add to the mix for a central element.
It Continues With the Exchange of Ideas
She didn't want to do "just anything." I love it when you say that to me. I get goose bumps and stars in my eyes as I start imagining shapes and designs.
Then Comes the Working Design
We came up with a very free-form design based on squares but with elongation, rounded edges and I snuck in some hearts too, because I love Charla.
Then a Wax Model of the Design is Created
Side View of Charla's Ring Wax. See the Hearts?
After a good bit of back and forth getting the wax right, I showed it to Charla. She approved it and said, "I'm ready for my new ring tomorrow, ha ha!"
Then Casting Happens
It was cast we cast it in 18kt Yellow Gold in multiple pieces. The settings and the underside decoration, called the gallery, were all separate and assembled and set after casting.
Now Comes the Fun Part
Charla's Finished Ring! Cast in Buttery 18kt Yellow Gold
Delivering Charla's ring was so much fun. Even though she'd seen the wax and been part of the design process, you're never really prepared for the finished result.
It's Always a Surprise!
You get surprised. And if all the steps are done right it's a really happy surprise. And it was. I was floating on air for days after I brought Charla's ring to her.
View of the Gallery under Charla's Ring
Thanks Charla for Letting me Design the Coolest Ring Ever!
Calla is the best! She has been designing jewelry for me for over a decade. Not only is she talented and trustworthy, she is a joyful person to be around. The most recent piece of jewelry she designed for me was a ring where she used gemstones from three sets of earrings and diamonds from a ring, all from jewelry I hadn’t been wearing. Now I wear them all, frequently. Thank you, Calla.
Charla, it was my utter delight to do this challenging project. I look forward to our next project!
WOW – is about all I can say about this new ring. (and that I would love to see the others as well!) I have used older, not used jewelry to make rings, pendants, etc. also, and it is really great to be able to do that! This particular ring is really gorgeous—would love to see the rest of your collection and meet Calla as well! Thanks for sharing.
Dee, thank you for your kind words about Charla’s ring. You can see my most recent projects on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/callagoldjewelry. I also have a gallery of designs on my website: http://www.callagold.com.
If you are in the Santa Barbara area I’d be delighted to meet with you.
Wow! We all tend to have things build up over time, things that fall to the back of our jewelry box, unusable but worthy of not being tossed. I love seeing you bring these leftovers out of the box and onto a finger, or around a neck, out in the open again!
You read me like a book! I love love love bringing jewelry back to life in it’s new guise.