Showing posts with label Dawn Vertrees Jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dawn Vertrees Jewelry. Show all posts

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Sterling Silver Green Amethyst Bridal Set, Gemstone Silver Ring, Raw Stone Engagement Ring by DV Jewelry Design


6 Prong Twig Wedding Set
Sterling Silver





Just a few of our natural
Gemstones available.





Sterling Silver Green Amethyst Bridal Set, Gemstone Silver Ring, Raw Stone Engagement Ring by DV Jewelry Designs

Twig Inspired Sterling Silver Engagement Rings. Hand sculpted in wax by Dawn and cast in Sterling Silver.

●Ring in photo has sold, but another can be made! Please note that stones may vary is color and shape slightly. We do our very best to keep the stone as similar to the listing as possible.

Gemstone: 3.32ct Green Amethyst

Hand-Cut in our studio.

Stone Measurements: 9.95mm x 7.4mm

Material: 92.5 Sterling Silver, Stamped

Solitaire:

Ring Height: 7.38mm

Ring Length: 12.66mm

Bottom Band Width: 2.64mm


Wedding Band:

Width: approximately 2.67mm


Additional Information:

https://dawnvertreesjewelry.etsy.com/listing/1538881222

The Cast-in-Place Process, Jewelry by Dawn Vertrees

I use this process for my One-of-a-Kind designs. 

Cast in Place

My rings shown right after being cast in gold with the Rough Ruby and Diamond in place.

The Cast-in-Place process produces the strongest rings available and is the perfect choice for active people. 

I create these rings by sculpting my wax directly on the stone. These stones become my canvas and allows me to create natural flowing designs.

Once the design has been completed, the stone and the wax are cast together, this process results in a ring where the stone and the metal literally become one piece, also making each ring a one-of-a-kind creation.

Once we melt the gold at 1000 degrees, it flows around the stone where my wax was previously, I will post the Lost-Wax-Process next.

The picture shows two rings that were recently cast-in-place with the stones prior to polishing. The only stones I can use in this process are Rough Diamonds, Rubies and Sapphires and other stones will not survive.

These stones are considered precious gemstones and have a hardness of 9.5 to 10 on the Mohs scale. These stones can endure the 1000 degrees temperatures without cracking once the gold hits them. Another benefit in this process is that the gold actually shrinks 1% allowing a tight fit around the stones.


I hope you enjoy reading about my processes. -Dawn

My technique for creating my jewelry, the Lost Wax Process


In 2004 I went on a quest to find the perfect medium for me and my jewelry. 

I started with Clay, then on to Porcelain clay, Art Clay/PMC and then I came across Jewelers Wax also known as the Lost Wax Process...It fit me perfectly.



To give you a bit of history on this process, Lost wax casting is a 6,000-year-old process still used in both manufacturing and fine art. The precision and accuracy of the process have made it an ideal method for producing objects with thin walls, intricate details, and close tolerances which is perfect for jewelry.


The accuracy of the process was the key, what I sculpted in wax came out accurately once it was cast in silver or gold. I would spend many hours on a leaf ring or a starfish ring and once my wax was cast, I had an exact duplicate in metal.


My wax rings are called Models. Lost wax casting builds a mold around a sacrificial wax model. After the mold investment is set, the wax is melted out and forms a cavity where the metal or glass flows in. Using this method of casting captures fine details in both metal.

I hope you enjoyed this short introductory to my process and I plan on sharing more including a few of my quick sketches.  -Dawn


https://dawnvertreesjewelry.etsy.com/listing/1311262922

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Natural Raw Morganite Twig Engagement Ring in 14k Gold, Hand-made Tree Branch Ring - Anniversary Ring- DV Jewelry Designs

 


Natural, Partially-Cut Pink Morganite Engagement or Anniversary Ring

Made to Order

Large Morganite Twig Engagement Anniversary Ring - Available Now

One-of-Kind Custom Ring

Stone: Raw Rough Morganite
Material: 14k White Gold (shown & available now) Current
Finish: Antiqued (Please specify in notes section at checkout if you would like Antique Finish on your ring.

Ring Size: 6.25 Resizing Included

Available in 14k and 18k White, Rose & Yellow Gold.

Gemstone: Natural Rough Morganite that is 90% hand-cut leaving just a bit of rough at the top to capture the light.

Semi-Precious Gemstones: Aquamarine, Morganite (shown), Amethyst, Peridot, Citrine, Garnet, Topaz and Tourmaline.

Natural Gemstones

Precious Gemstones: Sapphire, Ruby, and Spinel.

Contact us to customize this design just for you.

Height: 5.26mm
Length: 16.43mm
Width: 9.15mm

Overall Length: 17.36mm
Bottom Band Width: 3.65mm

This ring comes with a cute little tote and a ring box.




DV Jewelry Designs
Additional Information at: 




Sketches for this design...


Top View


Side View

Friday, January 14, 2022

Lost Wax Artist - Dawn Vertrees of DV Jewelry Designs

 

Lost Wax Casting


Lost wax casting is a 6,000-year-old process still used in both manufacturing and fine art. 
The precision and accuracy of the process have made it an ideal method for producing objects with intricate details, and close tolerances.


Hand-sculpted wax models created to be cast using the ancient process called the Lost Wax Casting.

The wax model I sculpt using soft green, purple or blue wax is duplicated into solid metals such as 
14k or 18k Gold by using the casting process. 

My original wax jewelry models are all made by hand using a variety of tools that I have found over the years that fine tune the details in my leaves, branches and wood textures. Using this process also includes my choice of soft waxes which allows me to control my designs plus allows me the undercuts I feel my organic designs need to look more realistic.


This new design below is available to be cast in your choice of 
14k or 18k Gold in Yellow, White & Rose Gold.

3.20ct Crystal Rough Diamond
Each leaf drape over the diamond 

The stems wrap around
the edge of the diamond.
    
Details including additional pictures and prices are available,
Please click here (coming soon) to view in our Store.


Here are a couple of photos of the rings I have made which have sold or available:


Leaf, Twig & Berries Wedding Set





Monday, June 3, 2019

Hand Sculpted Leaf and Twig Ring using the Lost Wax Method by Dawn Vertrees

Hand Sculpted One of a kind
Hand Cut Rough 1.5ct Ruby

We will be testing our first hand cut ruby on Wednesday 6/5/2019 which will be cast in place with the wax that I have sculpted around the stone (shown). Although we have successfully cast our rough uncut diamonds and gemstones for 8 years with only a few mishaps, casting our hand cut gemstones should reduce that number to zero.

GEMSTONE SET IN WAX CASTING has evolved over the past 10 years from a secret process used by a few manufacturers to a commonly used method. 

Lost wax method
Our Popular
Three Leaf Design cast in 14k Gold
GEMSTONES SUCCESSFULLY CAST IN PLACE ARE: Diamond, Ruby and Sapphire.

GEMSTONES NOT RECOMMENDED ARE: Emerald, Opal, Jade, Amethyst, Topaz, Peridot & Garnet. 

Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Topaz, Pearl, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise and Onyx as these gemstones may burn, crack or discolor when exposed to high heat.

GEMSTONES SELECTED FOR CASTING IN PLACE should be high quality, dimensionally accurate, free of flaws and inclusions that can turn milky, frosty or crack when heated.

Engagement Ring
SUCCESS!!!
DESIGNS SELECTED FOR CASTING IN PLACE must allow support in at least 2 places by the surrounding investment instead of the traditional 4 or 6 prong setting. The gemstones need to be held in place securely to withstand investing, burn out and casting without coming loose.


Engagement Ring
Hand Cut Ruby Engagement Ring




Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Lake Norman Magazine - Accessible Art






Dawn Vertrees of Dawn Vertrees Jewelry in her Cornelius home studio working with a lost wax process to sculpt a decorative wine glass ornament commissioned for use in an upcoming wedding.

-Grant Baldwin Photography - Grant Baldwin

Dawn Vertrees, 54, Etsy store: DawnVertreesJewelry
After retiring from a lengthy 
corporate career, an unexpected mentor came into Dawn Vertrees’ life. Volker Kracht, a senior master jeweler from Germany, put off retirement for three years after seeing a stunning orchid pendant that Vertrees made from three sheets of wax.
Since 2001, Vertrees has pursued different artistic media, starting with ceramic jewelry and moving on to the world of Lost Wax, which she works in today to make fine artisan jewelry like intricately designed rings and pendants depicting tree frogs, turtles, starfish, and other nature-inspired subjects.
Along the way, she’s picked up numerous awards at festivals and art shows across the Southeast while making a living 
from her craftsmanship. But when the constant travel started to take its toll, Vertrees turned to the Internet to keep her business going.
“I got so tired of being out on the road that one day while my husband was filling up the motor coach with gas, I created an Etsy site and at each rest stop and break I had, I photographed my pieces so I could continue to make money without having to constantly travel to shows,” Vertrees says.
The Internet opened up more doors for Vertrees, allowing jewelry retailers in St. John, Virgin Islands and Disney resorts to discover her pieces and add them to their collections. 
In the coming months, Vertrees says her business will come full circle as she’s in the process of building a wholesale market and will eventually only sell through brick-and-mortar stores.
“It’s the circle of life of being a jewelry designer. Art shows come first, then Internet, and then wholesale and possibly, a a few wholesale shows,” Vertrees adds.

Read more here: Accessible Art
Wholesale Contact: Julie King Julie@buydawnvertreesjewelry.com, or by phone at 340-344-0410

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Tree Frog Cuff

 This is going to be one cool cuff.

The back legs and feet are actually what goes around the arm holding the cuff in place plus the upper left arm and hand just add extra support. The right hand props his head up and although his back is facing you now, when wearing him he is looking at you. So whether he is on your left arm or right, he is always looking at you. As pictured now, he is on your right arm scooting down...on your left arm, he is scooting up your arm. No profile shots yet...still fine tuning his handsome features.

The first casting will be all Sterling Silver with antiquing to bring out the detail and depth in the philodendrons.


My Little Tree Frog Cutie Pie Cuff with little heart
Philodendrons trailing down his back.


 Say Hello!  

Can you guess what's coming soon?

Monday, August 30, 2010

Bamboo Curved Earrings




Bamboo Collection:  
Curved Bamboo Post Earrings 

Bold yet elegant 14k solid gold bamboo leaves artfully adorn these beautiful sterling silver bamboo stems.

Total Length:  2"
Materials: 14K yellow gold & 92.5 Sterling Silver

Price: $449.00

Made in the USA by "ME"

...to purchase, click here.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010


"Jewelry with Southern Charm"



Introducing my first Bronze & Sterling Silver Collection.

As you can see, more designs are coming soon.

...but lately I feel more like a sculptor than a jeweler, which I'm liking a whole lot more.




Thursday, March 26, 2009

...a little nautical


Abalone Shells don't normally create a pearl but this one did. So I sculpted coral around the pearl
which created a shadow box, so inside this colorful shell I added a 14K Starfish to add to it's mystery. This is a very rare one of a kind pendant.

Sold

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Bamboo & Phalaenopsis Orchid Pendant


New Bamboo & Phalaenopsis
Orchid Pendant

Every chance I get, I try to wear this necklace. It has an oriental feel to it that I just love. In one sitting I drew up three designs, this being one of them but so far, this is my
favorite.

I sculpted the pendant in wax, earrings at this time were not in my head so I started by making a bamboo frame and then it was a no brain-er...a small orchid fit perfectly inside.

I haven't finished the earrings but I think you can get a pretty good idea from the wax.

This is a new collection that I introduced earlier called the Orchid Spray, not sure if the name is sticking though, might have to work with that one a bit.

Here is the new pendant completed, this one is in Argentium Sterling Silver but we will be introducing the SS with 14KG Orchids & Buds.

For more information about this piece, I have added it to my Ruby Lane Store at: Bamboo & Orchid Pendant