I first met her while visiting the West, introduced by my sister. We spent the afternoon around her kitchen table, talking, sharing stories, and getting to know one another. As our conversation unfolded, several silk jewelry pouches were placed on the table, each holding treasured pieces ready to begin a new chapter. Many of the pieces had been passed down through her family and had already been redesigned decades earlier to suit a busy professional life. Now, it was time to reimagine them once again. The first project we completed together was a custom wedding band created from meaningful family stones. (See: A Modern Wedding Band Crafted from Meaningful Stones.) For this piece, we turned our attention to the remaining components of a family necklace. Among the loose gemstones was a beautiful sapphire that immediately stood out, waiting for the right design to showcase its color and character. Her goal was a pendant elegant enough for special occasions, yet versatile enough to wear every day. One of my favorite parts of the design process is arranging loose gemstones in different compositions until the perfect balance emerges. Once the design feels right, I determine the most beautiful and structurally sound way to bring it to life. I also believe that fine jewelry should be beautiful from every angle. The reverse side of a piece deserves as much attention as the front, ensuring it is thoughtfully finished no matter how it is viewed. The completed pendant features a classic channel-set diamond frame surrounding a vibrant sapphire secured in six elegant claw prongs. It is suspended from the chain by a series of bezel-set diamonds, allowing the chain to drape naturally while the pendant moves independently. The result is graceful movement, exceptional comfort, and a timeless design that seamlessly transitions from everyday wear to special occasions.
- Materials: 14k yellow gold, natural diamonds, genuine sapphire
- Client location: rural Wisconsin
