Like so many of our custom design jewelry projects, the idea behind this wide pave diamond band came from a piece of costume jewelry. Jim requested a few changes for his own version. Notice the hand cut/pierced plate that gives you practical access to the backs of the diamonds for cleaning while adding a nice bit of detailing.
As part of our ongoing DIY (Dream it Yourself) Custom Design Jewelry contest, we’re happy to share with you the personal back stories behind each piece.
In JT’s words:
Over the course of 11 years, Evelyn and I have went from casual acquaintances, to friends, to each other’s best friend, to dating. And hopefully, we’ll be engaged at the end of October.
This ring speaks of our relationship: a delicate and beautiful piece of art with traditional styling, but it’s own little twist that makes it unique from any other. Depending on how you look at it, the side stones radiate a warm purple that feels like home, a vibrant blue that reminds you of a playful summer day , or even a subtle green, full of life. These stones perfectly accent the framework of something that is as timeless as it is spectacular, and together they make an inspiring and sensational symbol of our love.
In Joe’s words:
Alexandrite is a rare and special gem, known for it’s many radiating hues. It was a real honor to create a ring with such depth and complexity.
– Joseph Schubach
Every piece in our DIY (Dream it Yourself) Custom Design Jewelry Contest has a story to tell.
Here’s one of them:
In Peter’s words:
We know that having wedding bands that reflect us really matters. It is a feeling of being individual, sure. But even more, it’s a feeling of truly honoring and loving who we have become and how we got here.The design that Joe helped us create reflects our path, totally.
You can see that they are two slim bands joined at the top. Slim and elegant is how I think of Liliana (I won’t pretend to say what she might think of me.) Joining her at the top of our game is exactly what I want to feel. We are so very different, so having one band of white gold and one of yellow gold just works. And we are very connected, so three diamonds to represent that sharing feels just right.
We came together from different continents. Liliana has lived in Australia and I, North America. Now, we share a home on each continent, a connection on each side of the world. These rings reflect that, too.
The two bands are clearly individual.They show that we connect without fusing to each other. That is how we live and want to continue to live our days.
What you may not be able to see in the pictures is that Joe designed the bands as infinity symbols. For us, this is perfect. I can write about how we met teaching metaphysics. I can talk about teaching the meaning of infinity. But here, I would rather share the feeling, the romantic sense of infinity, as it applies to us today.
We teach a science. But when we look at these rings that are so very us, so very uniquely us, I am living the feeling, not the thinking. Life is infinite joy, as are we. And life is good, getting better, and we are sharing that.
All that from two rings? No, it comes from us, but with Joe’s help, the rings are a perfect reflection. I hope that you like them even half as much as we do.
– Peter and Liliana, contestants of the 3rd Annual DIY (Dream it Yourself) Custom Design Jewelry Contest
See what Chris had to say about her ring here:
And, Chris was our 2010 Custom Jewelry Design winner. See her story here:
In the Client’s words:
Dear Joey and Beth:
I LOVE, LOVE my beautiful new ring. And I thank you both for making it such fun, helping make decisions., etc. You both have a special star in my book!!!
Hugs, Barb (and Ed, too)
In Joe’s Words:
Using Barb’s existing diamonds, we were able to make a completely new and updated ring! Thanks Barbara, we had a great time, too! Your ring is a knockout!
Barbara's Inspiration
The gents who designed this ring wanted a clean, classic style ring with center commitment stone and emerald accents to resonate with the Colombian origin of one of the partners. The inside of the ring is engraved with an encoded message that they texted to each other during the early days of their relationship.”
The Client’s Letter:
Hi Beth and Joe
I took Friday off work to go to Cologne to pick my ring up from my aunt, and just wanted to let you know, that I have become an absolute magpie!!!
I love my ring, love the look, the feel, the stone everything. And the size is perfect!!
Thank you so much for working with me on this. I have already started telling friends and family about Schubach jewelers.
Thanks also to the goldsmith who did the craft work, and added their touch!
I have had a very good experience working with you, and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again if I had another “project”.
Best regards,
Nicolette
In the client’s words:
Dear Joe and Beth:
I received the ring today and I’m honestly still in a bit of awe by just how beautiful it is and how perfectly it came out. It is TRULY, TRULY gorgeous – it’s got all the organic, subtle curves we wanted and overall. You guys just perfectly nailed that unique yet tastefully understated look.
I really can’t thank both of you enough for all the hard work that went into this. More than that, I really appreciate the fact that you insisted that we go onto iteration 4 to get it exactly 100% right when we probably could have been happy with iteration 2 or 3.
I haven’t presented this to A yet, but probably within the next week. I know without any inkling of doubt that she will be as amazed by this as I am!! Thank you SO much again…and wish me luck!!
Several weeks later:
Joe and Beth:
I presented the ring to Anna right before we left over a week ago for the holidays; unexpectedly, she said she would “Have to think about it.”
OK, just kidding! She loved it as much as I did and we’re now officially engaged!! There wasn’t a big, flashy proposal – just an opportune moment when we were talking about what gifts we should get each other for Christmas and I mention that I actually had a gift ready for her! I think it definitely took her a couple of days to get used to having the ring on her finger: both for “being engaged” and because she was also taken by how beautifully it came out.
Joe and Beth were extremely helpful and took care to both understand the changes we wanted and the subtleties we wanted preserved. They helped bring the design to the exact form we envisioned. We can’t thank them enough!
