Rings

We design the ring shank around the breed study to give a little personality to the ring, rather than just mounting the study on a boring straight shank.

Here are some examples of different ring shank styles:

We also add that silly millimeter more - or two - to give the ring substance, endurance, and weight. You are not going to bend these rings.

If you are unsure of your ring size print this Ring Sizer and find out.

 

Bracelets

We have several bracelet styles. However the following concepts hold true in all of our bracelet designs. We want you to put the bracelet on and (if it fits properly) let it become a part of you. No need to take it off to work or play - just enjoy.

The first important factor is all joints are soldered permanently shut.

We use a round jumpring to join the links - so it rotates and wears evenly. We cast our own end caps and add more gold to the wear points.

We finish off every bracelet with the most durable clasp (in our opinion) - the lobster clasp.

Brooches

Method For Attaching Brooches -
The first is what we recommend because it is very easy to attach to clothing and get on straight. It is also very safe because of the two lapel pin findings. The second is the traditional method which is shown with a safety mechanism, which is always included.

Pendants

All of our pieces have very nice weight to them, the backs are finished off smooth and most are carved out to accommodate the relief sculpture on the front. The front of the pieces are a 3/4 study, so they look like they are carved all around because of the depth and detail we put into each piece. They are not flat. Our ring shanks are thick and will not bend.

Most of our basic breed pieces come standard with a soldered jumpring at the top to allow the chain to go through. However even in these we beef up the wear points and use a thick gauge of wire so they will not wear out easily.

To make our pendants last generations, we make and cast our own bails. They are made of thick gold so they can support the weight of our pendants and will not wear out easily. They dress up a single head study or standing piece and finish off the jewelry designs nicely. Since this is quite a chunk of gold we are adding to the piece, we have to charge extra for the bails.

   

 

   

 

 

We also make custom bails to fit larger chains or omegas and, on some pieces, install hidden bails to the back.

 

 

 

Diamonds or gemstones can be added to the bails for some sparkle. We also offer the fancy bails (right) in the medium (BAIL106) and larger (BAIL105) sizes. Please call us with your ideas, questions, or concerns. To order your piece with a bail, please visit our Bailspage.

 

About Our Stones

Of course, you have probably heard of the Four C's when pricing diamonds - Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. However, the Four C's do not only apply to diamonds. They are the price deciding principles in all faceted gemstones. They will determine the quality of a diamond, just as they will determine the quality of a Ruby, Amethyst, Sapphire, Tourmaline or any colored, faceted gemstone.

Color is important in a diamond - or lack of color being the most desirable. In a colored gemstone, too light will make it look washed-out; and too dark will make it look black. The key is finding that in-between color - that cannot be mistaken.

Clarity too is important. The most desirable diamond or gemstone will be lacking any inclusions in the stone - at least that can be detected to the naked eye. You don't want any fractures or inclusions clouding up the stone so it cannot throw off sparkle or effect the durability of the gem.

Cut or faceting -- this is the most important factor in a diamond or gemstone! How the stone is faceted will determine life or death in a stone -- it can give you a lively spot of color or a dull dot. How the stone is cut also is a major factor in determining the value of the stone. The cut also refers to the shape of the stone; either round, oval pear shape, square, rectangle or oval. Some stones are cut free-formed or triangle. The shape must go hand in hand with the faceting to obtain maximum sparkle.

Carat Weight -- this is an actual weight of the stone. There are 100 points to a full carat -- so .10 is 1/10 of a carat, .50 is 1/2 of a carat. When a piece is described as .25 carat total weight -- this means there are several small stones all weighing to the sum of .25 or 1/4 of a carat.

We take pride in all of the jewelry that we design and manufacture, and that is why we try to use some of the nicest diamonds and gemstones possible, without getting too expensive. There comes a point in diamonds and colored gemstones, where you cannot appreciate the difference in the price, without magnification. This is where we draw the line. We use pleasing to the eye quality stones, finely cut, clean with the most desirable color, whenever possible.

Diamonds

All of the diamonds that we use are SI-1 in clarity (unless otherwise stated), GH in color, and most important; they are ideal cut -- which give a diamond the most possible sparkle. How well the diamond is faceted is the most important factor in considering a diamond. Even the small diamonds that we use in our collars (usually .02 to .05); are ideal cut, while and clean giving the collar the most sparkle..... The larger diamonds that we use in the designer and breed jewelry, are cut this same quality, which adds value, beauty and lasting pleasure. And of course, we guarantee it.

Renzites

A Renzite is a laboratory grown Cubic Zirconia crystal, which is then diamond cut (faceted like an ideal-cut diamond) -- to give you the most true diamond look-alike stone possible. They are hard, and mirror back the light to give maximum sparkle. Sometimes these stones have color, and when available, we use the red and blue version in some of our ribbon cluster designs.


Natural Rubies, Emeralds & Sapphires

 

These precious gems are prized for their hardness, color and beauty. We try hard to select only the finest color and clean material, which allows the fine-cut of the stone to sparkle. We like to think of a sapphire, ruby or emerald to be more than just a spot of color -- we want it to be alive. This is why all of the small round stones that we use are "diamond-cut". This allows as much light as possible, to come into the stone and mirror back to the eye. The term "diamond-cut" refers to cutting the gem like a fine diamond would be cut - to give it the most "life" or sparkle. These stones are slightly more expensive, however well worth it.

Semi-Precious Gemstones

We also like to sprinkle our designs with color, ie: Amethyst, Garnet, Opal, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz and other semi-precious stones, or birthstones. We are committed to using some of the finest cut, and richest in color of these stones. We are always looking for new cuts and shapes; and try to use the stones that will represent the most desirable color - not washed-out, faded or too dark stones. Again, these stones are more expensive, however, in our opinion, well worth it.

Synthetic Stones

We understand the need for synthetic stones. In the future, natural gemstones will be a rare commodity. The price of natural stones is climbing every year. We also understand price is a very important consideration, when selecting a piece of jewelry. This is why we offer synthetic stones in most of our designs. However, just like in natural gemstones, there are different qualities of synthetic stones; and just like natural stones, the cut of the stone can make it into a lively touch of color or a dull dot. All of the synthetic stones we use are synthetic corundum (which is a very hard material), and "diamond-cut". We try to select the most desirable color and get the most sparkle out of them. These are not "cheap" stones, they too are more expensive than an ordinary synthetic stone, however you get life, color, and hardness, which means durability and lasting beauty.

Natural Stones are shown on the left, Synthetic on the right