It is always a wonderful surprise to reconnect with someone who knew you long ago. We have both grown, followed very different paths, and gained a new appreciation for the people we have become along the way. He married a wonderfully creative woman who, as it turns out, knows quite a few people I know as well. A reminder of just how small the world can be. Years ago, his mother gifted her a diamond band. Although she wore and appreciated it, the style never truly felt like her and had become somewhat dated over time. When they came into the shop, we began collaborating on a redesign that would preserve the meaning of the original ring while creating something she could wear comfortably and often. One important consideration was their active lifestyle. They spend plenty of time outdoors, often accompanied by their Labrador retriever, so she wanted to avoid exposed prongs that could catch or snag. There was also one detail I especially wanted to preserve: the original ring contained 13 diamonds. His favorite number. Keeping all 13 stones in the new design gave us a meaningful foundation from which to begin. With their permission, I removed the diamonds from the original setting and began “sketching” with the stones themselves, arranging them into different compositions and sharing photographs along the way. After some thoughtful back-and-forth, the final design emerged. All 13 diamonds were individually bezel set in a flowing, wave-inspired pattern crafted in platinum. A European-style inside-round shank provides a comfortable fit, while contrasting finishes add another layer of interest: a soft matte finish on the ring paired with highly polished bezels surrounding each diamond. The finished piece is contemporary, comfortable, and perfectly suited to her style and active life. All while preserving every one of the 13 diamonds that made the original ring so meaningful. It remains one of my favorite redesigns.
- Materials: Platinum and natural marquise cut diamonds
- Client location: Bolton, CT
