There’s nothing like working with a client over and over to develop a shared language, understanding, and style. This custom necklace and ring duo is one of the most complex projects I have ever completed and the pinnacle (it’s a pun, I promise) of a years-long relationship with this fabulous couple.
Bygone Beginnings
This client bought her first Kristen Baird® piece, The Pinnacle Necklace (get it?), at the first gallery I was ever a part of, The Mansion by Kessler Collection. While that location is no longer operating, I still enjoy a wonderful partnership with the Grand Bohemian Kessler Collection. The Pinnacle Necklace was one of my earliest collection pieces and continues to be a KBJ staple. It would also serve as the inspiration for my client’s elevated new custom piece.
Heirloom Materials, Modern Inspiration
This couple traveled to Savannah in March of 2024 to meet me for an in-person design session. She brought a wide variety of heirloom materials for me to work with, including a ring with a gorgeous trillion-cut tanzanite gemstone and a large round diamond, several loose diamonds, and some gold to be processed. With so much to work with, the possibilities were endless. We had a great time sketching out designs and laying out stones together.
Ring Inspiration
This two-piece project started out with a ring inspired by my previous Diamond Dazzler commission. The client also also wanted something that would complement a custom ring I made for her husband, the Moon and Back ring. These are two highly detailed rings, so I knew whatever I created next was going to have to be something special. We decided to incorporate the tanzanite, two large round diamonds, and several small diamonds into this single piece, which I call the Mountain Range Ring.
Building the Mountain Range Ring
Using the Diamond Dazzler form as the base of this design, I fitted the ring with settings for her gorgeous trillion, two large round diamonds, and six accent diamonds - a total of 9 gemstones in a single ring! Once the piece was cast using her 14K yellow gold, it was time to set all the stones. beautiful rolling silhouette and tons of nice hand-texturing. The highly detailed texture of this ring reminds me of scrambling across rocky terrain over a high mountain peak. Speaking of mountains, the necklace brought this commission project to new heights.
Designing the Mountain Peak Pendant
If the ring wasn’t highly technical enough, the pendant turned out to be one of the most intricate commission projects I have ever undertaken. During our in-person design session, we agreed that we wanted to start with the frame of the Current Necklace but incorporate the two-toned design of the Pinnacle Necklace, using 14K white gold prongs for the three descending diamonds as well as white gold Crescent Connections.
We also opted to incorporate a set of 15 tapered diamonds, perfectly fitted in descending and ascending size, along the bottom part of the frame. Rather than centering the diamonds on the frame, they start at the Crescent Connection and flow in an asymmetrical high-low sweep, creating a sense of movement.
Building the Pendant
This piece is the quintessential example of combining old and new techniques to achieve the perfect result. I created the layout of the necklace frame in CAD so I could accurately place each of the differently sized diamonds. Once the frame was cast, I hand-poured and hand-rolled the metal for the internal mountain landscape design. This portion was completely crafted by hand, shaping and texturing to create the ideal image before hand-fabricating the pieces together.
After soldering in the landscape, settings, and Crescent Connections, there was a ton of cleaning and polishing to do. This project involved several stages of cleanup. First, I cleaned the piece and checked that the setting sizes were all accurate. Then, I got all of the texture back into the piece before cleaning and polishing again. Finally, I set all the stones and gave the piece one last cleaning.
It was a ton of technical work, but the final product was so worth it! With that The Majestic Mountain Commission duo was complete!
A Last-Minute Rush!
On Dasher, on Dancer, on Kristen to the post office! This process may have started back in the spring, but the deadline was Christmas. With all of the detailed work that went into the design, I only had a few hours remaining once I finished the pieces. After carefully packaging and wrapping each piece, I rushed off to FedEx so I could get the set overnighted for a pre-Christmas delivery before the couple left for the holidays.
The pieces got there just in time! Thank you, Santa!
Christmas Dreams Come True
I was very happy with how this piece turned out, but at the end of the day it’s all about how my client feels. I was overjoyed when she messaged me with this to say:
“I opened the necklace first, and at once, fell in love! The sparkle is everything I had hoped! Very pleasantly surprised by the heft! Nothing skimpy about this beauty!! So classically Kristen…
Now on to the bling ring! Fits like a glove! Gosh does it ever sparkle! I can’t stop looking at it. I never thought I could wear a wide band, but this just feels so good! I love how you raised the Tanzanite!
I feel like it’s a sister-ring to S’s. Love that!!
...The results are breathtaking! I do indeed need sunglasses!”
Thank YOU for trusting me with this beautiful project.
If you have an idea for a commission project, feel free to reach out!
