Carved Onyx And Opal Pendant
This design was fabricated in 14K gold and features a carved Black Onyx disc with an Australian Opal cabochon. The Black Onyx carving and the bezel set Opal are held in place by the outside rim of 14K gold, which has a thin rib around the inside circumference that corresponds to a groove that I carved into the Onyx disc. The entire piece was assembled and secured by means of a rivet that holds the two sides of the rim tight against both the Opal and Onyx. This design was the result of finding some interesting carved Onyx at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show, and trying to come up with an interesting way to play with the shape. The curve cut from the disc was part of the carving, and the Opal just suggested itself, it was in my inventory already when I picked up the Onyx and just happened to fit once the bezel was added. The outside rim around the Onyx is relieved to follow the curved groove cut into the surface of the disc, and you can see it in the back detail image. This is one of my original designs, and can be modified if you would like something similar, although the concepts that give this jewel its particular sense of style can be applied to several different configurations. The price quoted below excludes the cost of the Opal, as I don't know how much a similar stone would cost.
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My experience of what it is that I love about making jewelry has shifted over the years. When I first began to create simple hand-fabricated rings I was fascinated by the process - cutting, filing, soldering and setting and bringing the piece to finish with a polish; the steps involved in taking a vision in my mind and making it real were all-consuming.
As I went deeper into the various techniques and began to explore all that was possible my focus shifted, and I began to explore the relationship between forms and colors, textures and finishes; and my designs began to be influenced by a mix of historical styles and modern influences - an amalgam of the past and future.
I spent the last decade expanding my skills to include graphic design and 2D work with photography and drawing, and with the advent of 3D programs and the ability to output my visions via RP printing and CNC machining I am working on creating a new vocabulary of jewelry design, which this space will help document.
I have been a custom jeweler for over 35 years, and am experienced in creating fine jewelry in gold, platinum and silver. I have the ability to listen to my clients and give them exactly what it is that they had in their minds eye when they first thought of it.
All of my work is of my own hand, I carve the waxes or design in CAD, fabricate elements, cast and finish and set the stones. I am also an accomplished lapidary and cut stone to fit my designs.
I create my own designs as well, and can take any idea and finish it out with all of the little details that make it a masterpiece.
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