Back to 1971
16th July 2021 - Customer location: Cairns
The time capsule.
Back in 1971 Australia converted from the Imperial measurement system to metric. At the time the Australian public were constantly reminded to “think metric” even on our match boxes.
A family heirloom sapphire.
This customer thought that the gem, which is a family heirloom, had been in that match box waiting to be set for about 40 years. It was now time to make it into a piece of jewellery.
The starting point
The desired design was intertwined hearts. She was not fussed on the diamonds but just liked the overall shape. With the sapphires size predefined I would need to scale the design around it.
Our first meeting
Mockup of the design.
At our first meeting I showed this design to the customer and was able to give her a quote. She liked the design and approved the quote. Before she paid her deposit we needed to check two things:
the condition of the gem
how it will look on
Checking the gem
When I source a gem for a customer I check it for flaws. As most gems have flaws I then discuss them with the customer before they commit to purchasing it.
When the gem to be used is one that the customer already owns I need to make sure they are aware of the condition of the gem. Almost all customers that have gems are unaware of existing flaws when I point them out.
Prior to doing any work on this pendant I showed the customer the heavy flawing in the gem. Flaws can be more visible when set and also in the case of this gem great care would need to be taken when setting it due to the extent of the flaws and the style of setting.
She was unaware of the flaws but was happy to proceed given the sentimental value of the sapphire.
How will it look on?
For privacy reasons I will not show you the whole image but using a photo of the head and neck of the customer I roughly scaled the design into the photo so she could see how it would look on. The ruler in the image allows me to calculate scale.
She loved the look so at the same time we explored possible chain sizes to ensure that the pendant would accomodate it.
Designing the gallery
Gallery, the side detail.
Knowing the intended size of the chain I was able to design the depth and shape of the gallery to allow it to pass through the pendant. There would be nothing more frustrating than making the pendant only to find the design did not allow for the chain to fit it.
Are we there yet?
For me the above steps taken to create this pendant are very straight forward. It might seem like a lot in written form but it goes very quickly if my customers let me take the lead….which most do. If not the first time then almost always the second time if I am given the pleasure.
I would like to thank this customer for allowing me to guide her through the process of making this special piece for her family and also for allowing me to share it with you.
My World
Male Bustard Bird
Of late I have had a fair bit going on so my weekend adventures in My World have been far and few between so not too many landscape photos. That said a couple of weeks ago my wife joined me for a drive up the Tablelands and we stumbled across this Bustard bird in an area we often see them. I do not have a photo of a male during courting but what they do with that chest band is spectacular.
When my wife is with me things seem to happen and this day was no different. Behind us as we watched the Bustard Bird we heard some noise and as we turned around a Wedge Tailed Eagle was killing a Falcon in flight. With no time to change my camera settings I stuffed up the in flight photos but we did manage to follow the Eagle until it landed to eat its prey.
Have a great weekend.