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Art Nouveau antique style

Ladies,
Thank you for your continued support and concern. I feel as though you truly understand what I am going through like friends in person next to me. The awaited quotation from Cross as promised did not land in my Inbox tonight. I'll call again tomorrow and if they continue to drop the ball on me one more time, that's it for me. I've already given them one too many chances, excuses and all.

Margaret,
Your posting out of the blue touched me. I'm so happy you decided to delurk with a suggestion to a goldsmith who you believe is skilled and capable. I will check out the link and look at past projects. Absolutely not offended at all but the opposite! :))
 
4 requests for quote have been sent: one each to Green Lake, Hunt Jewelers, Joseph Jewelers and West York Jewelers. Time to sit back and wait now...I hope the pricing falls in my realistic range. :cheeky:
 
I sincerely hope that you get fast, affordable quotes from them Chrono! I don't suppose it's feasible to ask Mike from RDG to make it without the stones (if he is in fact willing to do this) and then have them set by a trusted jeweller close to you?

I had a look through the link VelouriaL - loved this quirky idea :))



/apologies for the highjack

scottschreiber-button-flickr.png

scottschreiber-button-closeup.png
 
I don't mind the little thread jack since it is gem related with a touch of humour. ::) Scott's work is pretty but his rings are mostly either diamond halos or bezels. The other jewellery pieces look very modern. Did I happen to miss anything antique-like?

Starzin,
Thank you for the good wishes; I hope it'll come true. I'm too nervous about getting the fit right to have the setting done without the stones. There will be 4 FCDs and each one will be nestled in a buttercup-like flower.
 
That is hilarious and awesome, Starzin! I hadn't seen it.

Chrono, I think a lot of his pieces are commission and bench work for local b&ms. He def seems to have the chops to do it-- that bamboo necklace blows me away. Couldn't hurt to email him?
 
http://www.athenas-treasures.com/categories/Rings/

They also have a FB page. There are several masters whose styles are very different, so please, do not be put off by a combination of metal and gold. At least one of them does flower leaves. I never saw their work IRL, but they had a stand in Vegas. Perhaps, one of the PS-ers has seen their work?
 
Vel,
Welcome back, you've been away for a long time. :wavey: I'm very hesistant to contact someone I have not seen with proven or similar work done. As mentioned on Page 1, I commissioned work using a recommended vendor and we cancelled the work on mutually agreed terms because the bench could not see what I saw and in the end said he/she could not do it. After more looking around, I did find a different vendor who pulled it off successfully. I'd like to avoid this again as much as possible by looking though the portfolio, not only to see the workmanship but to see if the vendor is able to do that type of work. The design I have in mind requires a bit of carving and wire work (shaping and bending), that is not flat but has dimensionality that you can see and feel.

Ark,
I wonder if they do any prong settings at all? Everything is very heavy and bezeled.
 
I don't mind the little thread jack since it is gem related with a touch of humour. ::) Scott's work is pretty but his rings are mostly either diamond halos or bezels. The other jewellery pieces look very modern. Did I happen to miss anything antique-like?

Starzin,
Thank you for the good wishes; I hope it'll come true. I'm too nervous about getting the fit right to have the setting done without the stones. There will be 4 FCDs and each one will be nestled in a buttercup-like flower.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you both enjoyed it :)) He was very enamored of his bench too but there was no room to work! :o

No I don't think you missed anything, I didn't look at it all, I had to scoot the minute I posted but most of what I saw was as you say, modern.

After more looking around, I did find a different vendor who pulled it off successfully.
Click to expand...

Ummm...now I'm a bit confused. Was the work/finish not up to expectations or was there another reason?

Can you share the inspiration photo?
 
That was an example of my experience with a past project that has since been completed. Yes, it did not meet expectation because of a small detail that was lacking which I wanted but the bench couldn't see it. In the end, the bench said it couldn't be done. Sorry for the confusion.

I'm not quite ready to share the design yet. All in good time, young Padawan. :tongue:

Greenlake: received quote and numbers are within budget
Joseph Jewelers: I was asked to call back to discuss
Hunt Jewelers: seems they didn't get my emails when I called.
West York: advised against work due to risk of stones getting lost at customs. He also doesn't do Art Nouveau and only does work in Canada. He is very friendly, courteous and prompt. You Canadians are lucky to have such a goldsmith.
 
Ah...having mulled this over, I was coming back to post a couple of thoughts/links.

Promising news from Greenlake and Joseph's. I don't suppose you will be able to discuss it with Joseph's on Saturday? (I'm assuming it's Friday night for you). Hopefully Hunt fill get the next lot of emails.

I'm not quite ready to share the design yet. All in good time, young Padawan. :tongue:
Click to expand...

:bigsmile:

I was trying to work out where the best techniques might be found i.e.

1. If from cad, then it is presumably the skill of the engraver to get the 3 dimensional look right. Compare the top and bottom photos here http://www.mardonjewelers.com/blog/padparadscha-and-hand-engraved-accents-a-grand-custom-ring/. Unfortunately the top photo is blurry (and they're not what this forum would call pads but...)

2. Built from the ground up in wax, result depends on the finishing skills http://www.goldsmithlucerne.com/?category_name=rings. Difficult to tell on these because of reflection (I think?) but a couple of photos for posterity. Despite their name they're in the US. My feeling is this will always be a heavier ring than you would wish for.



3. Applied elements of wire and/or wax casting after ring is made - see the infinity on the ruby earrings, though these could be from cads, not sure. You can click on some of the photos and they will take you to a page of it's own. The ruby earrings will do this and the photos are clearer. http://www.ahernbrucker.com/upload/fabad2.htm. Or you might find something on this page of theirs http://www.ahernbrucker.com/upload/wedsets.htm

Poserity pics...


Just something for you to play with over the weekend, but it will be exciting to hear developments over the coming days.

goldsmithlucerne-purple-flwr.png

goldsmithlucerne-tourm_dia.png

ahernebrucker-rubyears.jpg

ahernbrucker-caroldia1.jpg
 
I'm afraid it'll have to wait until Monday. The design I have in mind is far more delicate than that. Thin unsupported wire is the branch that has a flower at the end. This same branch splits off into several flowers and a leaf. The same wire at the other end becomes the shank. This is very different from my usual style but I am strangely attracted to it. My lone hint is to check out antique Russian Art Nouveau rings. Many show this common theme and similar design. :naughty:
 
Yes, I had a feeling they were all far too heavy for you.

Ah! Did some judicious Googling...lovely. And challenging :))
 
If you had a very generous budget for the project, I would love to see what McTeigue and McClelland could do. I adore their work and they have some pieces that remind me of Russian Art Nouveau (I don't know much about Russian AN but I do have many pieces in my eBay watch list that I drool over so I have a beginning sense of the aesthetic).

http://www.mc2jewels.com/bracelets/1070.html
http://www.mc2jewels.com/earrings/9147.html
http://www.mc2jewels.com/earrings/8630.html
http://www.mc2jewels.com/bracelets/9163.html
 
I only come around when i need to prcrastinate, it seems! ;(

It seems ike Scott Schrieber from Two Claws Jewelry is a very gifted engraver and carver, but haven't seen any wirework. Love his enamel, too. His stuff does veer towards the more substantiatial/non-delicate, though.

I have been hoping to vicariously watch someone work through a complicated custom piece with him. I just had him duplicate a lost earring, and he did a fantastic job. I can't tell which is the original and which is the duplicate. He even replaced the (tiny) ruby with a better in the original at no additional cost when he couldn't find one to perfectly match the duplicate!

It sounds like this project is goign to be fun to watch unfold, though, no matter who makes it! :)
 
:wavey: long time no see, velorialL! :wavey:
 
Hiiiiii MZ!
So I did some googling too, and now I'm superexcited.
Also, not to threadjack, but this Art Noveau Lalique engagement ring that I found in my search makes me make to cry with covetousness.
http://www.tademagallery.com/Tad_PHP/Tadema_ImagePage.php?paraSub=5011&dbt=1&xtra=
Wouldn't it be amazing if all e-rings were as unique as this? Silly diamond hegemony. Although I do weep for that period, should it have been worn on a daily basis.
 
Velouria I tried to visit that site the other day without success. Thank you soooo much for posting the link I had a good look around and O.M.G. - exquisite!!! :love:
 
Rosebloom|1347678367|3268457 said:
If you had a very generous budget for the project, I would love to see what McTeigue and McClelland could do. I adore their work and they have some pieces that remind me of Russian Art Nouveau (I don't know much about Russian AN but I do have many pieces in my eBay watch list that I drool over so I have a beginning sense of the aesthetic).

http://www.mc2jewels.com/bracelets/1070.html
http://www.mc2jewels.com/earrings/9147.html
http://www.mc2jewels.com/earrings/8630.html
http://www.mc2jewels.com/bracelets/9163.html
Click to expand...

They will not work with customer's stones - I've asked :(sad I suppose they might make exceptions for exceptional stones though? Their work is delectable!


Chrono, I haven't participated as I haven't felt I could add anything to the discussion, but I must say I'm really looking forward to seeing the design you have in mind come to fruition! From what you've described it sounds like you are looking for a jeweller who particularly values precision of metalwork, since there won't be any engraving/scrollwork to distract from less-than-perfect flow of the form itself... My concern is that the perfection of polish on interior surfaces that I *think* you're looking for won't be possible with any sort of casting, given the physical constraints of where the polishing tools can and can't be used..?
 
No one should ever feel like they cannot contribute; sometimes even an off the cuff remark can spark a new idea or inspiration!

Yessie,
You are absolute correct in your post which is why I did not approach any designers who only does CAD / CAM. It's just not possible with the necessary wirework, delicate detail and polishing of the nooks and crannies. The setting must be hand forged and it is going to take time and skill. Although it will have no additional diamonds, it's still going to end up just as costly as a bling studded setting. Any off curvature or mistakes will be obvious. I suppose this might be why this type of setting / work is now rarely done. :(sad
 
Chrono|1347848413|3269392 said:
No one should ever feel like they cannot contribute; sometimes even an off the cuff remark can spark a new idea or inspiration!

Yessie,
You are absolute correct in your post which is why I did not approach any designers who only does CAD / CAM. It's just not possible with the necessary wirework, delicate detail and polishing of the nooks and crannies. The setting must be hand forged and it is going to take time and skill. Although it will have no additional diamonds, it's still going to end up just as costly as a bling studded setting. Any off curvature or mistakes will be obvious. I suppose this might be why this type of setting / work is now rarely done. :(sad
Click to expand...


There *are* jewellers who will do it, and take pride in it - but yeah, goodness, they're a rare breed, and doing the job well does tend to cost an arm and half a leg! I was under the impression that Hunt only casts, from hand-carved rather than CAD/CAM waxes?

If you weren't uncomfortable shipping stones abroad and he wasn't backed up for the rest of the year my recommendation would've been RGD, I'm working with him now and he's an artist, and I'm only now realizing how different it is to be working with someone who makes "wearable art" - someone who can take a vision and transform it into a tangible example, rather than a good bench that is following a detailed list of Dos and Don'ts. Have you considered Leon? From everything I've seen, and from my few conversations with him, he's an artist too - most of his pieces are the definition of "classic" but every now and then there's something completely unexpected that takes my breath away... and he can definitely produce the precision that I need to see. I don't know how what methods of fabrication he prefers though. I wouldn't take it to Steven Kirsch or Victor Canera - the other two of that trio - neither of them seem like good fits from the artistic perspective..
 
Now that you mention it, I'm not sure about the type of work Hunt Jewelers does. Well, if they feel they can't do it, they certainly can turn down the job.

You have an ongoing project with RGD? Lucky you! I suppose you aren't dropping any hints about what stone you are setting? I doubt Leon and I will get along well due to character differences. I have a certain design vision for the AN ring and I'm not open to the designer having strong input into the design unless my idea is not structurally sound. I don't mind minor tweaking though or even some give and take, but not my way or the highway style. Yes, Steven Kirsch and Victor Canera seem more pave specialized.
 
2 quotes back so far and they are very close. Given the choice, who would you pick? Both are in Seattle and the guys from Joseph Jewelers actually started out at Greenlake. :wink2: Both also offer a complete satisfaction guarantee with no charge for a do-over.
1. Greenlake Jewelry
2. Joseph Jewelers
 
Chrono|1348059767|3270792 said:
2 quotes back so far and they are very close. Given the choice, who would you pick? Both are in Seattle and the guys from Joseph Jewelers actually started out at Greenlake. :wink2: Both also offer a complete satisfaction guarantee with no charge for a do-over.
1. Greenlake Jewelry
2. Joseph Jewelers
Click to expand...

Are there any differences in how long it will take to complete? Will either do CADs? I would think that's the only way to separate them from the wording of your note above.
 
LD,
Time is not an issue for me and both vendors do 3D renders.
 
Chrono|1348059767|3270792 said:
2 quotes back so far and they are very close. Given the choice, who would you pick? Both are in Seattle and the guys from Joseph Jewelers actually started out at Greenlake. :wink2: Both also offer a complete satisfaction guarantee with no charge for a do-over.
1. Greenlake Jewelry
2. Joseph Jewelers
Click to expand...

Something in my gut says Joseph Jewelers... If that means anything LOL
 
Oh good-oh! I was impressed with the Joe Worley rings that you found, if you're game and there's assurance of meeting your design and finishing requirements, why not try Joseph's? Then (hopefully) you get the best of both worlds ;))
 
Good response from Hunt. Claire is getting the quotation together now that I've given her more specifics about the design and metal choices. They said they are capable of such a project.
 
Oh I was going to ask if you had decided yet...are you waiting for them all to come in first?
 
Sorry for the late response Chrono - he'll be setting a diamond, but yes, I'd prefer not to share the specifics until it's well underway. It will be a RHR/alternate Ering for "blingly" days.


I'm looking forward to seeing what you decide! I had a good experience with GL - we only made it through the first couple of rounds of design before I decided to take the project to a different vendor who specialized in another form of manufacture, but they were quick to respond to my (many) questions and I felt their quote was very reasonable.
 
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