At last a first ring project
- Thread starter klewis
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klewis
Brilliant_Rock
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Date: 3/26/2010 11:15:43 AM
Author: arjunajane
Date: 3/26/2010 5:35:49 AM
Author: klewis
Hi Ajunajane (I love your name btw, is there a story behind it?)
They have a range of jewellery, some of which are on their website, which is based on often seen tattoo designs and I think it has been translated into jewellery very well.
I had a budget for this ring and had I stuck with gold as I had originally planned, then their price would have been within my budget. I went for platinum so it is a little over my budget . I think their pricing is reasonable and more or less what you might expect to pay here.
Funny you should mention my vague direction because just months previously, with a different jeweller I hasten to add, I had arranged to send a brief for a design and that jewller said they would have some designs in a week. After a full month had passed with not a peep from them I couldn't bear to wait any longer and contacted them again. Their reply was that after seeing my brief they put it into the too-hard-basket and forgot to get back but would be happy to do something along the lines of.....etc
Needless to say I replied telling them that they must think I was mad if they thought I was going to give them my money when they hadn't a flicker of enthusiasm or even an original idea. Again, that was not RDG who are making this ring for me. So yes, perhaps I was a little vague this time
Hey there klewis
Thankyou for the compliment on the name - I prefer not to explain it's personal significance, but Arjuna (wiki link) has a rich and interesting story behind him if you have a minute
I did see the tattoo designs and jewellery, and I agree it has been pulled off tastefully and definitely to what appears a very high standard. Their 'art' collection sure was fun to check out.
I ask about budget, as I've struggled to find decent jewellers locally (I'm in West Australia) or even in the Eastern states who are both creative/original and not exorbitantly priced. Therefore I always end up having my stuff made in the US, however I've constantly got my ears perked for closer talent
When the time comes for a suitable project I would love to make contact with RDG, so thank you for bringing them to our attention.
I chuckled at your story on the 'other jeweller' as this is all too often the familiar and crappy case isn't it? I can't actually say I'm surprised they outright told you they were chucking you in the 'too hard' pile - it seems NZ and AU have in common that we lack consistent professionals in this trade, unfortunately. Sounds though like they did you a favour as now you have found RDG, and I'm sure you will end up with a fabulous ring.
My comment about your vague direction wasn't intended as a criticism at all by the way, I hope you know! Rather, I was saying how impressed I was that the jeweller made such an effort to have a variety of well finished designs ready for your first meeting, and they managed to nail your taste etc. This kind of enthusiasm from and synergy with a jeweller is quite rare, so I agree with the comments above - if the ring turns out as good as the sketch than you are on to a great thing!
Please make sure to keep us updated along the way, I'm really looking forward to this one - have they proposed a time frame as yet?
cheers
aj
I did know a little about Ajuna but I have always envisaged a comic book heroine saving the world from destruction when I think of your screen name.
I didn't take your 'vague direction' comment as a criticism so so problem there.
klewis
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Their showroom is not huge but lots of goodies to ogle. I have never seen Mali Garnets incorporated into jewellery and they had some eye-popping Malis set as a pair of drop earrings of, if I remember correctly, 4 square cut stones each piece and an unset matching Mali of about 4 carats (I''m guessing there). They were very impressive.
arjunajane
Ideal_Rock
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Date: 3/26/2010 1:42:06 PM
Author: klewis
I did know a little about Ajuna but I have always envisaged a comic book heroine saving the world from destruction when I think of your screen name.
I didn''t take your ''vague direction'' comment as a criticism so so problem there.
hey klewis - I only just saw this post...came back to see if any updates
I am happy for you to continue with that image invoked by my SN, I like that idea! Maybe saving the world from bad gems / jewellery instead..? ha ha
Fly Girl
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Stunning design, and thank you for sharing the creation process and pictures with us.
BTW, I'm guessing that most of the time a client supplies stones or metals for a project, it isn't something a high end jeweler would want their name on. Clearly your first class stone is in a different league, and it is great that they are working with you.
BTW, I'm guessing that most of the time a client supplies stones or metals for a project, it isn't something a high end jeweler would want their name on. Clearly your first class stone is in a different league, and it is great that they are working with you.
klewis
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Date: 4/24/2010 5:56:45 PM
Author: Fly Girl
Stunning design, and thank you for sharing the creation process and pictures with us.
BTW, I''m guessing that most of the time a client supplies stones or metals for a project, it isn''t something a high end jeweler would want their name on. Clearly your first class stone is in a different league, and it is great that they are working with you.
Thanks FlyGirl, I''m happy to share the process. They don''t work on projects where the client supplies their own stone but in my intial approach to them, I did go on ( and on) about the stone''s quality. Incidentally, they''ll be attending the Las Vegas gem and jewellery show where John Dyer will be exhibiting (if that''s the right word) I have arranged an email introduction and so they will see more of John''s work.
klewis
Brilliant_Rock
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Thanks IndyLady. Now that I have seen the stone in the bezel I am pleased I chose the yellow gold to frame the stone.
Well If I do get it set it won''t be for a while. Mike has done some preliminary drawings for another ring for my SO which would be using a beautiful spessartite a bought from Richard Wise. The design is along the lines of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Well If I do get it set it won''t be for a while. Mike has done some preliminary drawings for another ring for my SO which would be using a beautiful spessartite a bought from Richard Wise. The design is along the lines of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
PumpkinPie
Ideal_Rock
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can''t wait for the final photos 
the waxes look great
the waxes look great
virgoruby
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Date: 4/24/2010 6:55:49 PM
Author: klewis
Well If I do get it set it won''t be for a while. Mike has done some preliminary drawings for another ring for my SO which would be using a beautiful spessartite a bought from Richard Wise. The design is along the lines of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Your SO''s ring sounds unique & fab, though I can''t quite visualise the design... would love to see pics when it''s done.
klewis
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Date: 4/25/2010 5:48:29 AM
Author: virgoruby
Date: 4/24/2010 6:55:49 PM
Author: klewis
Well If I do get it set it won''t be for a while. Mike has done some preliminary drawings for another ring for my SO which would be using a beautiful spessartite a bought from Richard Wise. The design is along the lines of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Your SO''s ring sounds unique & fab, though I can''t quite visualise the design... would love to see pics when it''s done.
Actually I can''t quite imagine it either and we haven''t seen any designs at this stage. I shouldn''t have said ''rising from the ashes'' because I don''t think anyone mentioned anything about ''rising from the ashes'' - sounds dramatic though. When I went to their workshop to view the wax for my ring, Mike said then he had started some sketches for this Phoenix ring - a design he''d wanted to do before we showed him the spessartite.
klewis
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At last a couple of photos of the finished ring. I got to see it last month and John send me some pics he took. The tourmaline hasn''t photographed very true to colour, it is looking decidedly more green than it is but I''m very grateful for his pics.
I''m so happy with the finished piece but I still don''t have it in my hot little hand because I decided I would save the 12.5% on the cost by collecting it as I leave the country at the end of the month. This is a legitimate way of avoiding the usual GST (goods and services tax).
I hope you like it too.
I''m so happy with the finished piece but I still don''t have it in my hot little hand because I decided I would save the 12.5% on the cost by collecting it as I leave the country at the end of the month. This is a legitimate way of avoiding the usual GST (goods and services tax).
I hope you like it too.
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