Help - need a custom SILVER jeweler for a CS project

[dzop]

All -

I've always wanted a pair of sapphire cufflinks, and recently FINALLY found a well-priced pair of cabochons. They're a little more than 1ct each, ~7x5mm, not calibrated. Here's a sample picture in incandescent light. They're really nice for cabs - good translucency, don't black out (obviously), and exactly the right size for a pair of cufflinks that has a little bit of pizzazz while remaining professionally appropriate.

However - my cufflinks get a ton of wear (I wear suits ~3 days a week) and I don't want to spend a ton on them. They go to the gym; they bang on the table when i work; I lose them sometimes. So I was really bummed to get multiple quotes for 14K white gold cufflinks with the project I had in mine between $2200-3200. No one is ripping me off - the findings are just extraordinarily expensive. But I don't want to be worried about losing my $1600 cufflink after a long day of work.

So I'm now trying to find a good quality custom guy who works in silver. I'm not looking for super cheap - I like good benchwork and I'm willing to pay a fair price for it. The idea would be a clean, modern design - think Georg Jensen - 15mm squares with the sapphires set atop in a clean, low bezel that maximizes the glow.

I live in NYC, and you'd think I could find this locally, but so far no luck. Everyone insists on working in gold for custom work (or charges $1500-2000 for silver, so might as well just get gold). Does anyone have a recommendation for a skilled jeweler who makes modern jewelry in silver? Happy to mail these stones anywhere in the US for setting.

Thanks!

 

[lovedogs]

Daniel M works in silver (I think!)

 

[rosethorn]

I can confirm Daniel M works in silver, has extremely reasonable prices, and does a beautiful bezel. Custom projects with him aren’t always the fastest, though.

He’s danielmjewelry on Etsy.

 

[dzop]

Since I want to bump this, but I have to pay the tax, here's another sapp picture in indirect sunlight by a window

 

[2Neezers]

Your sapphire cabs are beautiful and I love the idea of custom cuff links. You could try Julie Sanford Designs. I looked over her portfolio and didn’t see cuff links, but she owns a jewelers studio/makers space and teaches silversmithing so I would guess she could create them. Her high polished modern pieces in silver are gorgeous and her prices are very reasonable.

About Julie Sanford Designs

Michigan based jewelry artist, teacher and owner of Studio JSD-Jewelry Makerspace and Gallery

www.juliesanforddesigns.com

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Since I want to bump this, but I have to pay the tax, here's another sapp picture in indirect sunlight by a window

I love these and i am going to love your cufflinks
Surley NYC must be overflowing with very talented people who work in silver
Where do all the quirky arty types hang out ?

 

[glitterata]

There was a jeweler who did pretty silver work on 1st or 2nd Ave and like 9th St., but who knows if they're still there since Covid.

I third the recommendation of Daniel M, if you don't mind maybe having to wait a while--he's not always fast.

Love your sapphires!

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

You could ask jacob raymond. He's an award winning jeweler in NC who hand makes everything from wax. He works in all metals, including silver. The work would be top notch. He does custom and could give you a quote. He's easy to communicate with... you call his shop and he answers. You can check out his website www.jacobraymondjewelry.com
Or he's on Instagram
Here's a random sample of a mans ring he did:

 

[LD]

I know you've said they're only silver and cufflinks but actually there's the same amount of work that goes into silver jewellery as with gold AND with cufflinks you have to make two! So even if you find somebody to make them, you may find it's still costly.

What you can do is a couple of things .......... are your sapphires a pretty standard size ie 7 x 5, 8 x 6 etc? If yes, or even if they're a fraction "off", you can buy "bezel cups" - Etsy, Ebay etc but make sure they are sold as Sterling Silver.

Next step is to search on the internet (I'm in the UK so useless to help your search) but look for "cufflink findings". There are specialist jewellery making websites and I'm pretty sure you'll find them on there. You should be able to purchase some silver cufflink bases. Then what you do is take both into a local jeweller who will be able to solder the two together and also set your sapphires (which is easy as they're cabs). Hope that helps. You'll find the bezel cups/cufflink findings will probably come in under $100 and then all you'll have to do is pay the jeweller! Just make sure you get sterling silver though.

Here's a link to cufflink findings on Etsy - some have the top where the sapphires would go and others don't. https://www.etsy.com/market/sterlin...ncM0vv9kO1gIag9r2_f5f5Ghe24vp660aAiMiEALw_wcB

And here are the Bezel Cups:

Sterling Silver Oval Bezel Cups Variety of Sizes - Etsy UK

This Settings & Bezel Cups item by midnightinsavannah has 641 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from United States. Listed on 22 Mar, 2024

www.etsy.com

 

[MidModMin]

As described, DanM is very experienced with silver.

Jen Lawler, also on Etsy, is also an experienced silversmith who does custom work. I had her make a pendant and the quality was good, with nice bezeling. I wouldn't use her for all designs, but if what you had in mind was similar to her aesthetic, I think she could do good work.

Edited to add: I've never seen men's jewelry on Jen's site, so I'm not sure what her experience is with cufflinks. I don't have much experience with them either, so I don't know what goes into making a pair.