Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Jewel of the Month: Heather’s Engagement Ring

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I’m sometimes surprised by the jewelry designs that take off. When I originally designed my Siobhan perma-stacked stacking ring, I didn’t envision it evolving into an engagement ring.

View #1 of the original Siobhan.

View #2, showing the separate bands of the Siobhan.

But evolve it did! First, gorgeous blogger Susan of Une femme d’un certain age asked me to redesign her original engagement ring, Siobhan style.

Susan's original engagement ring.

View #1 of Susan's redesigned engagement ring.

View #2 of Susan's ring, showing range of motion of the bands.

The new ring on Susan's finger.

I never expected to get a second engagement ring request in this style, but then I heard from gorgeous new client Heather. I enjoy reusing stones, so I was delighted that Heather had a pair of unworn diamond stud earrings that she wanted to use for her side stones. I found her a center stone to match those. She picked the styles she wanted for the outside bands and I got to work. Heather’s engagement ring is April’s Jewel of the Month!

Heather's ring from the front. Photo by SquareMoose.

As you can see from the above photo, Heather opted for my signature satin finish, but skipped the texture and blackening that I did for Susan’s ring. She also chose different outer bands than Susan. And, of course, Susan had six side stones while Heather has two. So even though they worked with the same concept, their rings are very different.

Heather's ring from the back, showing how the bands move separately. Photo by SquareMoose.

This kind of ring is a challenge to fit because it’s wider than the finger-sizing bands that most jewelers use. There are wider versions of the finger-sizing bands but this ring is still wider than those. I know the original Siobhan ring should be ordered a half-size larger than the usual finger measurement. Heather’s ring wasn’t quite that wide so I was a little nervous, but I added a half size to it from the start. I can always adjust the size, of course, but I hate to disappoint the customer by teasing her with a ring that she can’t wear right away. I was happy that Heather’s ring fit perfectly.

Heather's ring on her finger.

I told Heather that I had selected her ring for Jewel of the Month, and asked her if she would like to tell her love story in the post. Here is the highlarious story of Heather and her groom-to-be, Jeff:

Heather: So, several years ago, I was a brand new street hooker and
Jeff was a wealthy businessman who liked to break apart companies and
sell them as pieces —

Jeff: That’s Pretty Woman.

Heather: Actually, we both love movies.

Jeff: So we ended up meeting in a small after-work screenwriting class.

Heather: I made him laugh a little, and he made me laugh a lot.
Sometime after the class ended, he spotted me in line in the post
office, so naturally, we had a lot of time to talk.

Jeff: I’m pretty shy, plus I usually pick up my women at the DMV, but
in the post office I blurted out, “Wanna get lunch?”

Heather: Apparently, I did.  It was actually a pretty terrible lunch
(although what do you expect from the post office), but the company
was delightful.

Jeff: ‘Twas.  Even though she was a “brand new” street hooker, I
thought she was quite charming, and I knew then and there that I
wanted to take her to watch polo with my mean friends.

Heather: That’s Pretty Woman.

Jeff: Whoops.  But we did go to Hawaii together in like our first
month of dating.  Heather had previously scheduled the trip, and I
don’t want to brag here, but…she totally thought I wasn’t a serial
killer.  So she invited me along for the ride.  Normally I don’t
suggest people go on big trips with someone they just started dating,
but that rule is stupid when the person asking is super cute, super
cool, and it’s Hawaii.

So, we traveled some, and went to a lot of restaurants, and even more
movies.  It all worked out beautifully, and I couldn’t have been
happier when Heather agreed to get on my white horse.

Heather: That sounds dirty.  Plus, that’s Pretty Woman again.

Jeff: We really need to send that Netflix back.

Heather: Along with our thank you to Wendy, since she made us the
most awesome ring ever in the history of the world!  I asked her for a
ring exactly like one she already made, except completely different 🙂
It was a lucky day I stumbled on her blog, and an even luckier day
that she agreed to make a ring for us.  Thank you, WendyB!!!

No, thank YOU, Heather! You and Jeff and Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

To see my previous Jewels of the Month, click here. To inquire about a custom engagement ring, email me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Your designs are sooo elegant and beautiful! You’re an inspiration! And I loved the interview (and pretty woman!).

  3. Both rings are wonderful recreation. I love how the stones glimmer on Heather’s finger. I’ve many loose stones from Roy’s travel to Sri Lanka that I’d really like you to make something out of, but the gold price is killing me! And the inflation rate in Malaysia is terrible too :(.

  4. Hi my dear-Susan and heathers rings are uniquely different and so stunning too, you are so creative and have reworked their original rings so brilliantly, well done indeed xxx

  6. Well, of course they are both stunning. And it is fascinating to see the differences the details make. Brilliant.

  9. Your rings are just gorgeous, and so unique. I adore the signature satin finish on Heather’s ring. If I ever have the money to redesign my engagement ring I know who to go to!

  10. These are amazing. It’s so nice to see more women opting for non-traditional settings and stones. It’s time to break the engagement ring mold and rules! I especially like the bright satin finish and mix of colors on Heather’s ring.

  12. these are fantastic Wendy- you are truly talented! I have been dreaming about dancing at summer music festivals wearing bohemian type jewels like the og Siobhan on both hands!! love them
    xo Car

  16. So gorgeous!! I just love a bezel setting, it’s not done enough and that the stacked rings are both attached and move, amazing!!! Beautiful way to remake both rings into something modern and timeless!!

  17. I hope that Heather tried to get her ring done somewhere else and they wouldn’t serve her, and she walks back into the store now and flashes her WendyB in their face and says ‘Big mistake. Huge!

  19. The differences and similarities of the three different rings are really intriguing. I particularly like Susan’s ring. The blackening really makes the details pop out. Hmm. I have two diamond studs…

  20. Gosh Wendy, these designs are absolutely stunning! These engagement posts are moving up there on my favorites! I love seeing the before, afters, and inspirations! It’s really interesting to get into the head of an artist like yourself

  26. Those two made me laugh! Jeff and Heather, not the rings (which are beautiful!).

    I love the cone settings you used in Heather’s ring. I know “cone” is the proper technical term for that kind of setting, so don’t bother correcting me.

    Beautiful work on both rings, Wendy!

  27. Wow! I agree with the commenter above, these are some of my favourite posts of yours. I love seeing your unique creations and the stories behind them.

  29. Wendy, how brilliant and creative you are!!!
    The rings are just beautiful and the stories behind them are very soulful!!!

  32. This is a fabulous concept, a fabulous ring, and a fabulous blog! I love your design sense, mix of topics, research on obscure jewel-y details, and your sense of humor — fabulous!