Introducing the Floating Diamond Collection: Where Nature Lifts Light

Introducing the Floating Diamond Collection: Where Nature Lifts Light

 

Introducing the Floating Diamond Collection

Where Nature Lifts Light

For years, I have created nature-inspired jewelry featuring twigs, leaves, vines, and gemstones sculpted entirely by hand in wax.

Many of my designs begin the same way—with a simple question.

This collection began with one:

How can a diamond appear to float between two leaves?

As the jewelry world evolves, more people are discovering the beauty of lab-grown diamonds and gemstones. I wanted to create a design that embraced this new chapter while remaining true to the artistic style that has defined my work for years.

The result is the Floating Diamond Collection.

This ring features a diamond gently lifted and supported by two sculpted leaves emerging from a natural twig band. Rather than relying on traditional prongs as the visual focus, the leaves become part of the story—offering and protecting the gemstone while creating the illusion that it is suspended between them.

Every detail began as a hand-carved wax model. The bark texture, the shape of the leaves, and the flowing lines of the band were sculpted one cut at a time, allowing the design to grow naturally rather than forcing it into perfect symmetry.

Nature rarely grows in straight lines.

A branch twists.
A leaf bends.
A vine follows its own path.

I believe jewelry should do the same.

The Floating Diamond Collection combines the beauty of nature-inspired design with the brilliance of modern gemstones, creating pieces that feel as though they have grown around the stone rather than simply holding it in place.

This photograph shows the ring resting on a jeweler's mandrel—a fitting reminder that every finished piece begins at the workbench, where an idea slowly takes shape in wax before becoming jewelry.

This is the beginning of a new collection.

And like every collection before it, it begins with a sketch, a carving tool, and a love of nature.

Welcome to the Floating Diamond Collection.  — Dawn

Floating Leaf Collection Sketch – Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring by Dawn Vertrees

 

Floating Leaf Collection
Sketch – Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring by Dawn Vertrees

For years I have created nature-inspired jewelry featuring natural diamonds, rough gemstones, twigs, leaves, and organic forms sculpted by hand in wax.

As the jewelry world evolves, I wanted to create a design specifically for those who love the beauty of lab-grown diamonds and gemstones while still appreciating artistic craftsmanship and meaningful design.

This sketch marks the beginning of a new collection.

The Floating Leaf Engagement Ring was inspired by a simple question:

How can a gemstone appear to float between two leaves?

The design features a one-carat round faceted lab-grown diamond nestled between two sculpted leaves that rise gracefully from a textured twig band. Rather than relying on traditional jewelry styling, the leaves appear to lift and present the gemstone as if it had grown there naturally.

The result is a ring that feels organic, elegant, and timeless.

While this first design showcases a round lab-grown diamond, the setting is being developed to accommodate a variety of lab-grown gemstones, including:

• Lab-Grown Diamond
• Lab-Grown Emerald
• Lab-Grown Sapphire
• Lab-Grown Ruby

Each gemstone brings its own personality to the design while maintaining the same floating leaf concept.

This ring will eventually become part of a complete wedding set. The matching wedding band will feature a simple twig design that complements the engagement ring without competing with it. Together they create a harmonious woodland-inspired bridal set rooted in nature.

As with all Dawn Vertrees Jewelry designs, every detail begins as an idea, a sketch, and a hand-sculpted wax model before becoming a finished piece of jewelry.

The Floating Leaf Collection was inspired by a simple idea: a gemstone lifted and offered by nature.

Two sculpted leaves rise from an organic twig band, cradling a faceted gemstone so it appears to float between them. The design creates a sense of lightness and wonder, inviting the question, "How is the gemstone staying there?"

Available with lab-grown diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, each piece celebrates beauty, craftsmanship, and the organic forms found in nature.

This is the first sketch.

The collection is still growing.

💗

Maple Leaf Necklace by Dawn Vertrees

Handcrafted Leaf Pendant

Hand Crafted Long Maple Leaf Pendant

Long Maple Leaf Pendant on a long chain Hand sculpted Maple Leaf using the lost wax method. Once sculpted we cast the model in solid Sterling Silver. Materials: 92.5 Sterling Silver Chain: SS Cable Chain (Adjustable) Finish: High Polished with optional Oxidation or Polished (shiny) Overall Height including the Bail: 2.25" wide x 1.75" Wall Leaf Only Height: 2" Chain: Sterling Silver Oval Pattern 3.6mm Oxidized with lobster clasp • Varying lengths in the drop-down menu.

Dawn Vertrees Shop

Nice weight for a long chain.

Textured on front
and back of pendant.

Realistic 3-Demensional Leaf

1.5ct Radiant Cut Moissanite Diamond Twig Style Wedding or Engagement Ring by Dawn Vertrees

 

Twig Engagement Ring

Additional Information

White Gold Twig Engagement Ring

About the stone:

Moissanite: 5mm x 7mm (1ct diamond equivalent)

•VVS1 D Color

•Clarity Excellent Cut

•9.5 Mohs Hardness Rating For Guaranteed Longevity

•GRA Certificate with serial number and all information about the stone.

•GRA Warranty Card Included.

•Every stone has a Laser inscribed serial number on the girdles with the number to match the GRA certificate.

Twig Solitaire:

Recycled Conflict Free Gold available in 14k white, rose, or yellow gold; or 18k yellow or white.

Top Solitaire Width: 11.5mm

Bottom Band Width: 2.6mm

Finish: Polished and Twig Texture accents.

Sizing: US whole, half, and quarter sizes.

● Your ring will come with a ring box and small ring tote.

Yellow Gold Twig Wedding Ring

Handmade Coral Sea Fan Silver Pendant with Tiny Sea Bubbles

Sea Fan Coral Pendant with Sea Bubbles

Sea Fan Coral Pendant

Approximately 2.3" Tall

Material: Sterling Silver

Finish: Polished Silver with Oxidation.

Elevate your beach fashion with this stunning hand-carved Sea Fan Coral Pendant with Tiny Sea Bubbles

Material: Sterling Silver

Finished: Polished or Oxidized (Oxidized shown)

Pendant Height: (approx.) 2 3/8 inches or 56mm

Pendant Width: (approx.) 1 1/2 inches or 36mm

One-of-a-kind Twig Pendant

The pendant in the listing is available.

Creative Process: Each Pendant created is a hand-sculpted wax model using the lost wax process and cast in Sterling Silver.

Hand Created
Wax Model by Dawn

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. 

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

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.

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: 

https://dawnvertreesjewelry.etsy.com/listing/1429595017

dvjewelrydesigns.com

Sketches for this design...

Top View

Side View

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

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

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. 

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.

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.

Hand Cut Ruby Engagement Ring

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

DV Catalog: Dawn Vertrees 2014 Catalog

Wholesale Contact: Julie King Julie@buydawnvertreesjewelry.com, or by phone at 340-344-0410

Fan Coral Necklace with Starfish

Fan Coral and Starfish Necklace

Dawn Vertrees Starfish Earrings

New Starfish Earrings

I love these Starfish Earrings, they are about an inch wide (tip to tip) 

and hang from one tentacle 

which make these elegant beachwear jewelry!

Available in Post & Ear Wires

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.



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