Custom Ring for An Heirloom Sapphire

See how I took a loose heirloom sapphire and turned it into a wearable ring to honor a family’s legacy of love!

Custom sapphire heirloom ring, Infinity ring with family heirloom sapphire stone, custom jewelry design by J'Adorn Designs custom fine jeweler

One of my favorite parts of working as a custom jeweler is the opportunity to create heirloom jewelry that will be cherished for years to come.

One way I do this is by creating brand new jewelry from scratch to honor special moments and milestones, such as the arrival of a new child.

Another way is by giving new life to old jewelry that has already been part of a family’s history. This is how I met Lindsay and got the opportunity to work with her unset heirloom sapphire.

Custom sapphire heirloom ring, Infinity ring with family heirloom sapphire stone, custom jewelry design by J'Adorn Designs custom fine jeweler

Lindsay explained that she inherited an oval cut sapphire from her grandmother. She loved the stone but it sat hidden away for years. This was because it was unwearable without a piece of jewelry to give it a home.

Other jewelers refused to set this heirloom sapphire due to a small chip. But I knew I was up for the challenge. And after hearing about how special this stone was to Lindsay’s family, I just had to set it in a custom ring!

Custom sapphire heirloom ring, Infinity ring with family heirloom sapphire stone, custom jewelry design by J'Adorn Designs custom fine jeweler

Setting the stone proved to be a challenge. But with a lot of concentration, patience, and detailed workmanship, I was finally able to create the heirloom sapphire ring of Lindsay’s dreams!

Custom sapphire heirloom ring, Infinity ring with family heirloom sapphire stone, custom jewelry design by J'Adorn Designs custom fine jeweler

There were two elements that were the most important when I designed this custom ring:

  1. Lindsay told me that the ring for her heirloom sapphire had to be delicate. She wanted a very thin band so she could wear it comfortably every day.
  2. I wanted to honor the continuing legacy of Lindsay’s family in a visibly tangible way.

Custom sapphire heirloom ring, Infinity ring with family heirloom sapphire stone, custom jewelry design by J'Adorn Designs custom fine jeweler

I used my design expertise to pick the perfect setting for Lindsay’s heirloom sapphire. I created a ring with a thin sterling silver band and simple four-prong setting. Under the setting was a silver infinity symbol.

I represented the ongoing love and legacy of Lindsay’s family with this silver infinity symbol. It was part of the setting, directly attached to the heirloom sapphire  from her grandmother. 

Custom sapphire heirloom ring, Infinity ring with family heirloom sapphire stone, custom jewelry design by J'Adorn Designs custom fine jeweler

At the final reveal, Lindsay told me that she loved her new ring. She said that couldn’t wait to show her grandmother the new home for her heirloom sapphire! This is just about the greatest compliment that a custom jeweler can receive.

Custom sapphire heirloom ring, Infinity ring with family heirloom sapphire stone, custom jewelry design by J'Adorn Designs custom fine jeweler

What about you? Do you have an old heirloom stone or outdated piece of jewelry that’s dying for a refresh?

Send me a message to begin work on your own custom jewelry design! 

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Custom Crystal & Pearl Bridal Comb

Crystal & Pearl Bridal Comb Custom Wedding Jewelry J'Adorn Designs

Pearls & Crystals

Classic elements for a bridal comb came together in this custom-made, adjustable bridal headpiece

Crystal & Pearl Bridal Hairpiece Custom Bridal Comb by Baltimore Custom Jeweler J'Adorn Designs

You might remember  J’Adorn bride Michelle from a previous blog post about her custom set of diamond and sapphire jewelry. 

Today I’m sharing another piece from her custom bridal jewelry suite: a classic crystal and pearl bridal comb!

Crystal & Pearl Bridal Comb Custom Wedding Jewelry J'Adorn Designs

Color Changes

Michelle really liked the style of my Classic Crystal & Pearl Bridal Comb.
But it wasn’t a perfect fit for her wedding colors and bridal hairstyle. So, I made some minor changes to the crystal & pearl colors to better match her look.

Crystal & Pearl Bridal Hairpiece Custom Bridal Comb by Baltimore Custom Jeweler J'Adorn Designs

Custom Sizing

Erica of Silver Immersion helped me customize the size of Michelle’s bridal comb at her bridal hair trial.
From there I designed a stunning, extra-long bridal comb that Erica could bend around Michelle’s cascading half-up bridal hairstyle.

Crystal & Pearl Bridal Hairpiece Custom Bridal Comb by Baltimore Custom Jeweler J'Adorn Designs

I created bendable crystal & pearl branches to extend on both sides of Michelle’s bridal comb.

This made the design wider and even more stunning at the back of her bridal hairstyle.

Crystal & Pearl Bridal Comb Custom Wedding Jewelry J'Adorn Designs

The end result was a crystal & pearl bridal comb in exactly the color, size, and style that this Maryland bride needed! 

Crystal & Pearl Bridal Hairpiece Custom Bridal Comb by Baltimore Custom Jeweler J'Adorn Designs

Are you interested in ordering a custom bridal hairpiece for your wedding?
Send me a message to get started! 

 

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Memorial Frame Pendant for a Bride’s Bouquet

How do you honor the memory of a beloved parent at your wedding?

This is the question one J’Adorn bride brought to me earlier this year.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Britney Clause Photography

Michelle wanted to honor the memory of her father, whom she’d recently lost while she was planning her wedding.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Nichole Meredith Photography

 I had the idea to create a photo frame pendant for her bouquet to hold a picture of her dad during her walk down the aisle.

She loved the idea! So I presented her with a few different frame pendant design options to choose from. Michelle chose a frame pendant that had an antiqued silver color with black rhinestone accents. She loved the vintage look and it made the perfect accent to her bridal bouquet!

Next, Michelle sent me her favorite photo of her father electronically. I had the picture printed professionally on the best paper available, then cut the print by hand to fit the frame pendant.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Britney Clause Photography

Because Michelle carries her father’s memory with her every day, I wanted to make sure this memorial frame pendant would be something she could wear after her wedding day.

So, I provided a necklace chain for the frame pendant so she could wear it with other outfits long after her walk down the aisle.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Nichole Meredith Photography

Michelle told me that she loved the final design of her memorial piece!

She was thrilled to be able to have her father “walk her down the aisle” even though he couldn’t be physically present on her wedding day.

And she looks forward to wearing the frame pendant necklace in the future to carry her father’s memory closely at all times.

Memorial pendant for bridal bouquet, framed photo pendant, wedding memorial bouquet charm by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Britney Clause Photography

Would you like to commission a similar piece of jewelry for your wedding day, or simply to honor the memory of a loved one in your daily life?

Send me a message to find out what options, including locket or frame pendant designs, are available through J’Adorn Designs!
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Michelle’s Custom Sapphire Wedding Jewelry

Custom Sapphire Oval Halo Earrings and Necklace Jewelry Set by Baltimore Custom Jeweler J'Adorn Designs

You may remember Michelle’s custom jewelry story and her sapphire jewelry from earlier this year…

After falling in love with an unattainable antique necklace that she saw in a magazine, Michelle reached out to have me make a custom set of wedding jewelry for her using that necklace as inspiration.

Scroll down to see how she styled her custom sapphire wedding jewelry set!

Baltimore bride's custom sapphire jewelry with diamond halo by Maryland custom jeweler J'Adorn Designs

Michelle’s personal style is one of classic elegance with sentimental touches. 

She combined timeless pieces like her solitaire diamond engagement ring with personal details like hairstyling from her long-time friend Erica Cote of Silver Immersion.

Her sapphire jewelry set represents both of these important elements as accessories and new heirlooms. The style is ageless; and Michelle will enjoy remembering the happiness of her wedding day whenever she wears these special jewels.

Custom sapphire halo earrings for Baltimore bride's classic wedding, by Maryland custom jewelry J'Adorn Designs

Something blue jewelry, custom sapphire bridal necklace, by Catonsville custom jeweler J'Adorn DesignsHere’s what Michelle had to say about her custom sapphire jewelry and her custom design experience:

“Everything Alison created was totally beautiful and far met my expectations. I so enjoyed working with Alison in the months leading up to my wedding. She was extremely responsive, always willing to share ideas, quick to research my visions, and helpful with referrals to other vendors for my wedding planning. Not only did Alison create stunning pieces for my wedding, which my guests were talking about all night, she also became my friend.”

Fine wedding jewelry for Baltimore bride's Something Blue, Classic wedding jewelry by Maryland custom jeweler J'Adorn Designs

Michelle’s sapphire and diamond halo earrings and matching necklace were bespoke designs. To inquire about similar custom bridal accessories for your wedding, send me a message! 

Credit for all photos: Britney Clause Photography

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Customized Bridal Earrings and Bracelet Set for a German Bride

How one #jadornbride made a pair of pretty bridal earrings perfect for her wedding in Berlin

Opal bridal earrings crystal vine jewelry for German wedding hochzeit

Today I’m sharing a real-life example of how to order custom jewelry based on a pair of bridal earrings from my shop!

When #jadornbride Rachel first reached out to me, it was because she had fallen in love with a pair of beautiful bridal earrings from my collection. However, she was looking for a slightly shorter pair of earrings for her wedding in Germany. I assured her that she could have both the size and look she wanted and I worked with her over a series of emails to customize the opal and gold vine earrings she loved into a pair that was perfect for her!
Custom bridal earrings, opal teardrops for German hochzeit wedding by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry

Side by side comparison

The original pair of gold bridal earrings that Rachel fell in love with featured long opal teardrops below a delicate crystal vine. To make them slightly shorter I swapped out the long teardrop for a shorter opal teardrop stone. I couldn’t be more pleased with the way the customized pair of earrings turned out, and their #jadornbride agrees!

Opal bridal earrings crystal vine jewelry for German wedding hochzeit

Opal bridal earrings crystal vine jewelry for German wedding hochzeit

A Bracelet to Match

Rachel also ordered a matching bracelet to complete her bridal jewelry set: the Crystal Vine and Pearl Bracelet (pictured below) from the J’Adorn Designs jewelry shop. I custom-sized this piece for her as well because she thought it might be too big for her tiny wrist. I simply removed one of the vine links and added a small gold extender chain to ensure the perfect fit for her bridal bracelet!

Crystal bridal bracelet crystal vine jewelry for German wedding hochzeit

A Rave Review for Customized Bridal Jewelry

When Rachel received her customized bridal jewelry set in the mail, she sent me an email to let me know just how much she loved it! She said:

“The earrings and bracelet are just beautiful!!!! Just what I was hoping for, if not even more beautiful in person!! I’ve shown photos to my best friend and my sister and they’ve described them as stunning and exquisite!!”
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