Tanzanite and Diamond Bridal Rings
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 Something New, Something BlueA couple was approaching an
important anniversary and wanted to celebrate the joyous
occasion by custom creating "something new," a new engagement
ring and a matching wedding band. The project began with
"something blue," a beautiful cushion-cut Tanzanite from the
foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Tanzanite is a
striking violet-blue color with flashes of red and purple.
Complementing the engagement
ring is a custom wedding band set with 24 sparkling
diamonds. The diamonds encircling the band are a symbol
of the strength and everlasting commitment of the
marriage. When custom creating a jewel half the fun is
building in special symbols and hidden messages that are
meaningful to the client.
 Our client wanted a ring that wedded the best of the
past with the best of the present, that brought together
classic elegance with a dash of modern pizzazz. We
began with the prongs that cradle the Tanzanite. The most important thing when designing prongs is that
they securely hold the gemstone without obscuring its
beauty. We suggested French double prongs with the tips
polished to dramatic spear points. |
The
Tanzanite is flanked by two stunning trapezoid step-cut
diamonds set flush in the polished platinum shoulders of
the ring. The
striking contrast between the lush violet-blue of the
Tanzanite and the cool white of the diamonds and platinum
is a dramatic nod to the elegant jewelry of the Art Deco
era. The classic elegance of the past always makes a
statement!  The platinum band of the ring has the
elegant profile and crisp contours of a miniature work of
modern sculpture. The taper of the prongs and
precision of the gallery work adds to the drama and
artistry, while the sturdy thickness and
mirror-like finish of the band complete the design.
In crafting this ring we added a slight taper towards the base of the band and beveled the inside edges so the ring would fit comfortably on the client's finger. The goal we shared with our client was to create a ring that would be both comfortable to wear and beautiful to the beholder. After all, we want a custom jewel to be enjoyed and appreciated for decades, if not centuries, to come. |
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The underside of the ring reveals the same careful attention to craftsmanship and design. Note the sturdy under-gallery beneath the Tanzanite. This helps protect the Tanzanite while maintaining the openness of the design. The gently tapered prongs flow downward and are securely anchored by the gallery. Beneath the shoulders of the ring we created an open chamber to reduce the weight and minimize the chance of the ring rolling on the finger. After all, you don't want a top-heavy ring that will slosh back and forth across the top of your finger. Examining the inside of
a jewel is one of the most important steps in assessing a
jewel's craftsmanship and design. On the inside you
can see the small, hidden details that are important but
often go unnoticed. We like to call this important
step "checking under the hood." |
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 When we design a ring, it is a close collaboration between Judith Anderson (our designer) and the client. Since each client and ring is unique we work closely to create a design that matches her, his or their lifestyle, passions and desires. The goal is to create a ring that captures the uniqueness of the client or couple in the artistry and craftsmanship of the finished piece. When a ring is completed to our
satisfaction we sign it with our registered hallmark,
"BEL" (for Bijoux Extraordinaire, Ltd).
We also note the purity of the precious metals, in
this case platinum ("PLAT").
These marks reflect our pride in the unexcelled
design, fine materials and uncompromising
craftsmanship of the finished jewel.  Our client desired a wedding band that would complement the elegant aesthetic of the engagement ring. We began with 24 round brilliant diamonds and channel set them along the circumference of a finely handcrafted platinum band. The outer surface of the band was then polished to a soft satin finish which beautifully accentuates the sparkle of the diamonds. At the apex of the band we carved a gentle
niche so that the band will rest snugly against the engagement
ring when they are worn together, just like the partners in a
successful marriage. The
niche helps anchor the rings so that they don't turn against
each other. But the band can also be worn alone or on the opposite hand. Because the niche is unobtrusive, the band can simply be turned so that niche is hidden on the underside of the finger. The top of the band will then be a brilliant display of diamonds elegantly set in platinum. We love the
versatility of this band design. Unlike other
contoured bands, this
band is a beautiful piece of jewelry in its own right that
can be worn alone or in tandem with the engagement ring. We
have nick named this design "Split Personality" because of
it versatility.  |
| Name: Something New, Something Blue |
| Cost: | We custom create rings with a variety styles and gemstones to best match the tastes and desires of each individual client. If you would like to discuss creating a unique ring or other piece of jewelry, please give us a call (603 624-8672) or send us an email. |
| Measurements: | ||
| The engagement ring measures 6 mm wide at the
shoulders and tapers down to 4.5 mm wide at the base of the
ring. The Tanzanite weighs just over 3 carats and the
trapezoid diamonds weigh a total of 0.71 carat with D color and
VS clarity. The band measures 6 mm wide and has over 2.0 carats total weight of diamonds channel set along the entire circumference. |
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| References: | ||
| If you would like to learn more about
Tanzanites, please visit our article "Tantalizing
Tanzanite".
To see more of our elegant jewelry designs and imaginative jewelry concepts, please visit our Custom Design Jewelry Gallery |
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Here are a few more of the rings we have
created with beautiful gemstones.
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Jewelry Experts Home Page Custom Engagement Rings
If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please contact us at 603 624-8672 or judi@jewelryexpert.com.
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