Looking for a jeweler to build a snake/serpent necklace

[Gossamer]

I am looking for a jeweler who has experience building necklaces in the form of an ouroboros - a snake biting its own tail. This is obviously a complex and time-consuming undertaking so I am looking for someone experienced specifically in building such things.

The serpent motif in jewelry design has a rich history. From ancient times to the present, the snake has alternately symbolized wisdom, life and eternity. The mythological significance of the serpent combined with the design potential of the graceful scale-like body, intrigues us as much today as it did in antiquity.

Over the centuries, jewelers have portrayed the serpent in a variety of styles according to fashion. In the mid-19th century, Queen Victoria brought the vogue for snake jewelry to its peak by wearing a coiled gold and emerald engagement ring. Around this time, necklaces in the form of ouroboros, a snake biting its tail, became popular symbols of eternal love. The articulated bodies, enameled or jeweled in the more extravagant examples, were highly flexible and amazingly lifelike.

Some examples in this thread - all I can find on PS.

Bulgari seems to be the leading international jeweler doing this sort of design today, like this, this, or this. I of course am not keen on paying Bulgari's mark-up and would prefer to customize the design. Labour and materials budget is flexible. It needs to be articulated and use cabochon rubies or emeralds for the eyes. Gold or platinum body, or possibly enameled, with diamonds in some form to be determined.

Although not strictly within the rules, I'm happy if any trade member has an example of their prior work they would want to post in this thread.

 

[Ella]

Sorry but it is not within the rules at all for trade members to post examples of their work, although consumers are welcome to make recommendations.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Is this intended to be another gift for your wife? Is this a design she had indicated that she likes?

 

[arkieb1]

Watch some of the jewellery houses like Sothebys, Christies and Bonhams. I see really stunning ones come up for sale from time to time and there are also a number of modern less well known jewellers currently making them because serpent necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets in particular are all in fashion at the moment. I did a search on US ebay for snake necklace and then clicked the highest first tab, so that it shows you from highest prices to lowest and a number of them came up.

 

[VRBeauty]

The first thing that came to my mind was Robinson Designer Goldsmith in New Zealand. They had some fun pieces that included, if I recall correctly, an articulated piece or two. Th company closed earlier this year with Ken Robinson's retirement, but one or both of his sons might still be making jewelry - perhaps one of the PS'ers who have done business with them will chime in!

 

[Gossamer]

Is this intended to be another gift for your wife? Is this a design she had indicated that she likes?

The snake motif is basically her favorite thing in the world right now. And considering that the last project earned me many months of being able to burp at dinner, I'd say it was a good deal. She basically wants me to walk into Bulgari and buy the serpenti, should I be able to obtain a mortgage for such sum, and call it a day. But now that every friend-of-a-friend inquires of every bijou she wears whether it's "the one your husband designed," I think it would be better to customize something... and eliminate the mark-up that pays for the fancy Fifth Avenue showroom that doesn't require riding a rickety elevator to a tiny studio on the 8th floor.

@VRBeauty and arkieb1: Thanks for the leads, will investigate. Appreciate any additional info.

Sorry but it is not within the rules at all for trade members to post examples of their work, although consumers are welcome to make recommendations.

I understand why the forum owners have this policy, but in this instance it doesn't foster the sort of community and commerce that is supposedly the raison d'etre of this forum. It would seem that if the consumer has a specific and unusual request, and invites a solicitation, anyone ought to be able to respond to the solicitation on that thread... or allow PMs.

 

[TC1987]

Look through the custom pieces at Images. They make some unusual theme pieces.
http://www.imagesjewelers.com/gallery/view/ladies-theme-jewelry

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I totally agree with not buying new Bulgari, but some excellent deals can be found on the second hand market. I haven't particularly looked for that style before, so I am not sure how likely it would be to find it, but a signed piece would be more valuable in the long run. I love the colored diamond necklace you had made, but I would feel less inclined to have this particular piece custom made just because I'd want to see examples of similar work by the jewelry maker, and I don't feel this is a piece many have made.

I don't know if you are familiar with 1st Dibs, but it is a site that has new and estate jewelry from many high end jewelers. Here is what they currently have related to your idea.

https://www.1stdibs.com/search/?q=snake+necklace

https://www.1stdibs.com/search/?q=serpent+necklace