The Final Touch — Preparing for Casting

The final carving before casting
—creating depth for shadow, contrast, and natural texture.

 The Final Touch — Preparing for Casting

Before this piece leaves my hands and becomes metal, there is one final step.

Each twig is carefully carved to create depth—not just for form, but for what comes next.

Once cast, oxidation will settle into these grooves, bringing out contrast, shadow, and texture… like bark shaped over time.

This is where the piece begins to take on its final character.

Not added later—but built in from the very beginning.

From here, it moves from wax to metal…

from idea to heirloom.

The final step

Forest Design Collection: The Offering — A Wedding Set Grown, Not Made.

Forest Design Collection

An Offering
Delicate twigs rise and gently cradle the diamond—lifting it like a quiet offering.

Held by Nature

Delicate twigs rise and gently cradle the diamond—lifting it like a quiet offering.

A symbol of love grown over time, gathered from the earth, and given as a gift to the bride-to-be.

Nature, centered.

Forest Wedding Set — Where Love Grows Naturally

There is something deeply personal about a ring that feels as if it grew, rather than was made.

This Forest Wedding Set was designed to follow the natural movement of vines—organic, flowing, and alive. Each curve wraps gently around the stone, holding it not with force, but with intention… as if nature itself reached up and cradled it.

At the center sits an 8mm x 6mm oval stone, available in:

Natural Diamond
Moissanite
Lab-Grown Diamond
Calibrated Gemstones

The setting allows light to move freely through the stone while the sculpted branches embrace it from all sides, creating both strength and softness in balance.

The Wedding Band — A Living Extension

The matching band is not an afterthought—it is part of the same story.

Designed to nest naturally beneath the engagement ring, it mirrors the organic lines while adding subtle detail. This band can be customized with:

One or two small diamonds or gemstones of your choice

Each addition is intentionally placed—never perfectly symmetrical—because nature doesn’t repeat itself, and neither should love.

Made to Order

Each piece is individually cast and finished in your choice of:

14k Gold (Yellow, White, or Rose)18k Gold (Yellow, White, or Rose)

Available as:

Solitaire Ring

Wedding Band

Full Wedding Set

Pieces may be purchased together or separately.

Designed to grow together.

A Philosophy in Metal

This design follows my core belief: jewelry should carry emotion.

Every vine, every curve, every placement is guided by natural growth—so that when someone wears it, they don’t just see a ring… they feel it.

Because love, like nature, is not perfect—it’s alive.

The Wedding Band

This piece is currently in its wax stage, preparing for casting—the moment where idea becomes heirloom.

Forest Whisper — Guided by Nature, Shaped by Emotion

“Forest Whisper” pendant, inspired by quiet woodland moments,
sculpted in sterling silver with a moss agate center.

Every piece I create begins long before wax ever touches my hands.

It begins in quiet moments — walking through woods, noticing how roots twist naturally, how moss grows softly over time, and how tiny mushrooms appear without forcing their way into the world.

Shop Forest Whisper Pendant

“Forest Whisper” pendant, sculpted in sterling silver with twisting branches, delicate mushrooms, and a moss agate cabochon.

This pendant was inspired by those quiet forest whispers — the kind that can only be felt when you slow down and truly listen to nature.

What you see now in silver once existed only as an idea shaped by emotion. The flowing lines were not drawn with rigid plans. They were allowed to grow naturally, just as vines and branches do in the wild.

At its heart sits a moss agate stone, carrying its own miniature landscape — a reminder that nature holds endless stories within even the smallest spaces.

Shop Forest Whisper Pendant

"Forest Whisper" pendant with moss agate cabochon resting in my hand, 
showing it's true size of 2" tall.

But before it became silver… before it held a stone… before it carried meaning for someone else…

It lived simply as wax in my hand.

Warm, soft, and full of possibility.

That moment — holding the wax form — is where every piece truly begins. It is where emotion moves through my hands into shape, where nature guides the design instead of being controlled by it.

This is why I create jewelry this way.

Not just to make something beautiful...

But to create something alive — something that carries the feeling of its origin, so that when someone touches it, they can feel the same quiet whisper that inspired it.

 

Detail of the “Forest Whisper” wax pendant as the artist fine-tunes tiny mushroom caps, sculpting the piece with care before casting.

“Forest Whisper” wax pendant resting in hand, showing the size and form before casting in silver.

The Palette of an Artist: The Artist's Palette and Nature's Signature

"This image perfectly illustrates my philosophy: the gold smear was created with a palette knife, treating precious metal just as a painter treats paint on a canvas. It is the signature of an artist inspired by nature."

🌳

While I work with precious metals and gemstones, the traditional title of "jeweler" has never felt like the complete picture of what I do. When people see my work, like the piece in the image above, I explain that I see myself as an artist whose medium happens to be jewelry.

The image below the ring perfectly illustrates my philosophy. The gold smear, created with a painter's palette knife, symbolizes my sculptural approach to the craft. Just as a painter uses brushes to create a painting on canvas, I use carving tools to sculpt intricate details in wax. To me, that wax is simply my paint, and nature is my inspiration. 

My designs are different from the symmetrical, traditional pieces you often find in standard jewelry stores. They are wearable sculptures inspired by raw, untamed beauty.

Wearing a DV design is like wearing a tiny, intricate piece of art where you can see organic details that are unique to my hand-carved process.

Nature's Embrace: The Twig Weave Collection

Additional pictures and prices

Hand-sculpted sterling silver Twig Weave Earrings inspired by organic forms,
natural textures, and flowing woodland design.

Introducing the Twig Weave Collection

Twig Weave Earrings – Hand Sculpted in Sterling Silver

These Twig Weave Earrings were born from the quiet rhythm of nature — the way branches cross, bend, and grow together without force or symmetry. Hand sculpted one line at a time, each curve follows an intuitive path, just as vines weave through the forest understory.

The design balances strength and delicacy: slender sterling silver twigs intertwine in an open, airy weave that feels light on the ear while still carrying presence. Subtle organic texture captures the raw beauty of bark and branch, allowing light to move gently across the surface as the earrings sway.

No two pairs are ever exactly the same. Each piece reflects the moment it was created, carrying the emotion, movement, and intention of the process. These earrings are meant to be felt — a quiet connection to growth, grounding, and the natural world.

Perfect for everyday wear or as a meaningful statement, the Twig Weave Earrings are for those who are drawn to nature-inspired jewelry that feels alive, personal, and deeply rooted in craftsmanship.

Hand sculpted • Cast in sterling silver • Nature-inspired, one-of-a-kind design.

​Height: 37mm, approx 1.46" inches

​Width: 11mm, approx 0.43" inches

​So, the dimensions are approximately 1.46" x 0.43" each.

New matching Twig Weave Pendant
available in 2 weeks.

Polished Sterling Silver with a light oxidation.

Hand-sculpted sterling silver Twig Weave Earrings inspired by organic forms, natural textures, and flowing woodland design.

Polished Sterling Silver.

Twig Weave Earrings — hand-sculpted in sterling silver, inspired by nature’s quiet rhythm and the beauty of organic growth.

 

The Dogwood Serenade

Dogwood Wax Model

Dogwood Necklace
Cast in Sterling Silver

When words failed, the North Carolina Dogwood spoke for me. This intricate wax design from January 2008 is a perfect example of my visual language.

💮

 This photo captures the very essence of my passion: the raw wax carving for the North Carolina Dogwood flower, created back in January 2008. This delicate shaping process is my true language.

Unlike the clamor of the hammer, the quiet, meticulous work of lost wax sculpting allowed my hands to perfectly translate the gentle curve of each petal and the smooth texture of the berries. It is a piece born directly from the peace and quiet poetry of the foothills.

Over a thousand wax designs have flowed from my fingers over twenty years, but this Dogwood remains a cherished sentence in my visual diary—a constant reminder of the gift I was given in the woods.

Which natural beauty from your childhood holds the deepest memory?

 — Dawn, Sculpting Stories Since 2004.

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Gemstone Rings — From Hand-Carved Wax to Cast Metal

 🌿 The Art Behind My Gemstone Rings

Every gemstone ring I create begins in wax. I carve each detail by hand — the branches, the textures, the curves — building the design one small stroke at a time. This is where the ring’s personality is born.

Below are two versions of the same ring design, showing how a simple wax base can grow into a sculptural, nature-inspired piece of jewelry.

Wax Model & Finished Ring — Green Amethyst Leaf-Twig Ring

This design began as a hand-carved wax model, created to cradle a beautiful green amethyst in two organic leaf-shaped prongs. Every groove, vein, and curve was sculpted by hand to capture the natural movement of leaves wrapping gently around the stone.

The final ring is cast in solid sterling silver and finished with a rich oxidized patina, enhancing the depth of the twig texture and bringing out all the fine organic details.

A true nature-inspired sculptural piece — from raw wax to wearable art.

Handcrafted Rose Gold Twig Heart Ring - Nature-Inspired Promise of Love

Highlights

Ships from North Carolina! Shorter shipping distances are kinder to the planet

Materials: 14k/18k Rose gold, Silver, Sterling silver, White gold, Yellow gold

Sustainable features: recycled metal. Items may include additional materials or use methods that aren't considered sustainable features on our site. Learn more

Band color: Gold

Can be personalized

Recycled

Made to Order

Additional Pictures & Prices

Embrace the wild beauty of love with this handcrafted Twig Branch Heart Ring. Inspired by intertwining branches forming a delicate heart at its center, this nature-inspired promise ring captures the organic elegance of a forest romance.

Each ring is meticulously sculpted to mimic the textured bark of real twigs, with fine details in every twist and curve. The open heart motif rests gracefully atop the band, symbolizing two souls entwined. The interior is polished to a smooth, comfortable finish, while the exterior retains a rustic, matte texture for an authentic woodland feel.

Details:

Material: Sterling Silver 925, 14k White, Rose or Yellow Gold & 18k White, Rose or Yellow Gold

Top Band width: ~8.6mm (tapers naturally)

Heart motif: ~10.6mm wide

Finish: polished textured exterior, polished interior

Made to order in your exact ring size

Perfect as a unique engagement ring, promise ring, or anniversary gift for the nature lover. This piece pairs beautifully with woodland wedding themes or as a standalone statement of earthy romance.

Handmade with love in our small studio. Each ring is one-of-a-kind due to the organic design—slight variations ensure your piece is truly unique.

Nature-Inspired Diamond Pendant Necklace by Dawn Vertrees

This stunning pendant features a teardrop-shaped rough diamond, cradled delicately in a rose gold twig-inspired setting that mimics the natural elegance of a tree branch. The organic design, with its intricate twists and curves, highlights the diamond's raw beauty, allowing light to dance through its facets. 

Additional Pictures

14k Gold (White, Yellow & Gold)

Rough Diamond: 3.20ct

Pendant Overall Hight: Approx. 20mm

Pendant Overall Width: 7.8mm

My hand Sculpted models from wax are cast in solid gold and created to compliment my One-of-a-kind Creations.

14k Rose Gold, one of a kind king hand created by Dawn

Additional Pictures and prices.

Moss Agate Gemstone Twig Pendant by DV Jewelry Designs

Moss Agate Gemstone Sterling Silver Twig Style Pendant

Made-to-Order

Material: (Shown) Sterling Silver

Finish: (Shown) Oxidized

Optional Finish: Polished

Gemstone: (Shown) Oval Moss Agate Polished Cabochon

Gemstone: (Approx.)10mm x 5mm

Optional Gemstones Available

Height: 52.5mm x 11.5mm

Approx. 2" Tall x 1/2" Wide

●Silver Finish Options: Polished (shiny) or Oxidized as shown in listing photos.

Silver Leaf Ring, Wide Sterling Silver Band with Leaves, Modern design with leaves and stems, Handmade by Dawn

Wide Silver Leaf Ring

Item details:

Handmade

Materials:

Gold, Platinum, Rose gold, Silver, White gold

Sterling silver modern wide band with hand sculpted stems and leaves flowing over the band...Rustic Elegance.

Click here for additional pictures & prices.

I enjoy creating modern jewelry with a touch of nature flowing over. I am a lost wax artist and all of my leaves are hand sculpted from jewelers wax with allows me to add creative features to my jewelry.

Women's Modern Nature Band

Materials: 92.5 Sterling Silver

Finishes:

Silver is oxidized with a satin antique finish

Gold is polished (shiny)

Sizes:

Overall width: 9.42mm (approximately 3/4" width)

Narrowest width: 3.25mm

Thickness of band: 1mm

Thickness of band and leaves: 3.65mm

Our rings come in a black velvet tote along with our DV Tag.

Production Time: 3 weeks.

Geometric Leaf Ring

Rustic Rough Diamond Ring Hand Sculpted by dawn Vertrees Dawn Vertrees

Contemporary Rustic Diamond Ring

Rustic Elegance

New Rough Diamond Collection by Dawn Vertrees...Rustic yet elegant.

Contemporary Rough Diamond Cluster Diamond Ring with a total of 6.44 carat of rough uncut diamonds, each set in 14k Yellow Gold with a rustic gun metal band. Each design is a one-of-a-kind and hand sculpted by me.

This ring will make a great Anniversary Gift, Everyday Ring or Statement Ring.

MATERIALS:

Rough Diamond: (6) 6.44 Total Carat Rough Raw Diamond. All Diamonds are Cruelty-Free.
Diamond Setting: 14k Yellow Gold, Polished
Band: Sterling Silver 925
Band Finish: Plated Gun Metal

I am so excited about this new Rough Diamond Collection. Each bracelet, necklace, earrings and rings are hand sculpted by me and can be custom made using 1, 3 or as many diamonds you would like to see in your design. Each design will have the same unique design shown in the bracelet with or without the leaf. Please send me a message if you would like to discuss designing a new piece of jewelry for you.

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