A different reflection from every viewpoint

Perhaps you heard the upstairs tapping and the “ping-ping” of hammers when you last visited.  Vladimir created these delicious dimensional curves (photo at right) upstairs, just the other day.  They taper, flare, twist and spiral, reflecting light every which-way.  We heard a lot of hammering during their creation.

Vlad started with a length of heavy gold wire, tapering for grace and wearability.  Next came the forging process.   He beat the malleable gold in multiple planes, refining curves as he went.  Final touches with jewelers’ files and pliers, followed a mirror polish – Voila!  Gold sculpture, fit for the ears. Mastery at work.

A new angle on the Spiral – Citrine quartz earrings with full-cut diamonds

Speaking of workshop sounds, we’ve been creating an “earful” of curves upstairs in the studio.  Deane designed and crafted this new angle on gemstone drop earrings (pictured at left).  Deep triangles of Citrine quartz (2.48 carats total) shimmer in their drop settings, hand-fabricated by Deane’s skillful hands.

18K gold wires loop lazily in horizontal tiers, contrasting with the gems’ precision and angularity.  A fully-cut diamond in each earring (.08 carat total) adds extra pizazz.  Hot off the press and they’ve already found their true home…Enjoy them, S;  nicely done, Deane!

In actuality, the famous Black Prince’s Ruby is a natural Spinel. Photo courtesy Richard Hughes

Ever hear of the Black Prince’s Ruby?  Few precious stones have such a long and storied history as this one, a large, semi-polished, crimson orb that today sits on the front of Britain’s Imperial State Crown.  SURPRISE!  It turns out that the historic red gem is a natural Spinel.  Read its history.  No wonder the confusion occurred.  Spinel frequently occurs in the same regions as Ruby and Sapphire.

A little-known gem, Spinel is nearly as hard (8.5 on Moh’s Hardness Scale) as Sapphire and Ruby (of the Corundum family).  Like Sapphire, Spinel occurs in a rainbow-ful array of hues. Pastels, as well as rarer reds and deep sleepy blues.  Both gems are better choices for active daily wear* than most  colored gemstones.  Curious about Spinel colors?  Take a look at a necklace and earring suite sold at auction a while ago.

Two of natural Spinel’s rainbow colors – new from Deane’s workbench in 14K white gold.

We spotted fabulous shades of Spinel in recent travels to both Bangkok and Tucson.  Deane recently finished this Spinel ring, shown on the right.  The graceful bypass style is great for either hand.  When you stop by, ask us to see it up close – and/or to try it on – as long as it’s still available!  1.17 carats total spinel weight. $1995.

*Always play it safe, protecting your jewelry by removing it during rigorous and rough activities.

Quartz crystal with wax model for pendant

Here’s a glimpse of some of Jim’s handiwork.  Master model maker, sculptor, and designer are a few of the roles he plays in the workshop every day.  In addition to artistic flair, engineering plays a crucial role.  Frequently a jewelry creation is designed to highlight and securely hold a special gem.    The quartz crystal featured in this pendant design offers many a challenge:  all those angles!

Here the wax model is nearing completion, leading up to a cire perdu or lost wax casting process.  Molten gold will replace the wax shape, transforming the sculpted form that Jim crafted in wax into gold.  The goldsmiths will finish the pendant – polishing and skillfully setting the gem(s).

If you’d like to learn more, call ahead when planning to be in our neighborhood.  If scheduling and workloads permit, we might be able to offer a tour of our upstairs workshop…where Jewelry-making Magic happens!

Maine Tourmaline and Diamond Pendant with matching Diamond Drop Earrings from Vlad’s workbench.

Emeralds? No! Emerald Green may be Pantone Color of the Year, but take a look at this green:  it’s Maine Tourmaline!

Vladimir just put the finishing  touches on this Pendant-Earring set, hand fabricated at his upstairs workbench.  The bright green Maine Tourmaline perches center-stage, bezel-set in 14K yellow gold, to announce the imminent Spring.  Diamonds - fully-cut round brilliants, of course - scatter sparkle with every movement of the softly domed surface.

Oval Tourmaline – 1.34 carats; Diamonds (32) = .73 carats total weight. $6875 the set, subject to prior sale.  Another Brown Goldsmiths original from our Freeport, Maine upstairs studio.

Upstaging the Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Museum

As March hovers at February’s doorstep, here’s the mother of all March’s birthstones – the Dom Pedro.  This beauty is giving the Hope Diamond “the Blues!”  The 10,363 carat  Aquamarine beryl, from the same gem family as Emerald beryl, is causing quite a stir at the Smithsonian, and beyond. The Hope, long the undisputed star of the Smithsonian, is being upstaged.  Read more.  If you like, follow the story of this crystal’s journey, including its magnificent cut by world-renowned lapidary artist, Bernd Munsteiner.

New! Created in our  studio for a special Customer to surprise his beloved…

The polishing wheel is humming upstairs these days.  Almost daily the goldsmiths finish up a new delight.  Here’s a recent creation from the workshop – a dramatic ring, set with a breathtaking Spessartite garnet from Africa, with notes of red winking within vivid orange.

Red tones in Spessartite are  highly prized - rarer than the more usual orangy browns.  Exceptionally brilliant with lots of dispersion, like Diamond, a well-cut Spessartite  flaunts a lot of sparkle.  Many a viewer could easily  exclaim, “Good morning, Sunshine!  What IS that?”

Deane designed, then skillfully fashioned the ring in white gold to compliment L’s collection.  Reports are that she was surprised — and thrilled.  Another original design – tomorrow’s heirloom – from our upstairs studio.

D. Wysor jewelry goes everywhere.

“A well-designed piece of jewelry should invite closer inspection,” jewelry designer David Wysor , believes.  We couldn’t agree more.   Each of the pieces in our Wysor Collection invite a closer look at the details of design and finishing.   Join us this month for a cup of steaming hot mulled cider while you enjoy taking that closer look at this versatile collection.In 2001, David moved his workshop from New Orleans to Philadelphia, where he landed a dream studio read more.

Bold and flexible D. Wysor bracelets, $320 to $1700 in Sterling or with 18K details.

18K beaded frame highlights Blue Topaz (or Citrine, Amethyst, Peridot…) clip-back sterling silver pierced earrings.

Earrings – Hoops, Drops, Post-Clips, Studs – In Sterling or with 18k and bright gem accents. $200 – $1200.

Accessible sophisticated brilliance with a healty dose of fun!

“Tis the season” for SPARKLE!  Our OFFICINA BERNARDI Collection is all about that!  It definitely “nails” the SPARKLE! category.

Make a head-turning entrance wearing layers of sparkle

Sterling earrings by OFFICINA BERNARDI from $55 to $150. Brilliant white, black & white, rose & white finish. Hoops! Drops! Why wait for Santa?

Layer them or wear singly – stunning! OFFICINA BERNARDI bracelets $80 to $350. Necklaces, $145 to $375. Celebrate!

Italian brothers Carlo and Francesco Bernardi designed this innovative and highly technical collection.  In a nutshell, glistening white (or bold black) rhodium and 18k rose gold are galvanized on diamond-cut sterling silver beads.  That’s getting a bit technical, but the effect – that’s the most amazing aspect – is scintillating, like diamonds on a chain without the expense.   With lustrous layers of contrasting textures and lengths, the look is innovative and h-o-t!  With jeans or a LBD (little black dress).

Double row Bracelets – Dazzling white, or with contrasting black or rose. Party time!

The OFFICINA BERNARDI Collection is designed in Grappa, Italy and crafted in Veneto.

As a CSA, Valerie is required to take an annual examination for recertification, along with our other AGS titleholders: Gemologists, Appraisers, and our Registered Jeweler.  When you stop by, be sure to tell her, “Congratulations!”  While you’re here, be sure to have her show you the jewelry she’s wearing.