The Twig Weave: Growth Held by Nature

 Coming Soon

In the quiet places of the forest, where branches curve toward one another and light filters through green canopy, there’s a kind of harmony that feels ancient and protective. That harmony is what inspired the Twig Weave pendant — a design shaped by the intertwining strength of living branches and the grounded calm of natural stone.

This piece isn’t just jewelry. It’s a symbol of growth, protection, and connection to the natural world.

🍃 The Meaning of the Twig Weave

Growth

Twigs are the newest parts of a tree — fresh, flexible, and full of potential. They represent new beginnings, creativity, and the courage to keep reaching upward.

Protection

The woven structure encircles the stone like a natural cradle, symbolizing support, safety, and the unseen forces that guide us.

Connection

Interwoven branches remind us that nothing flourishes alone. We grow because of the structures, relationships, and roots surrounding us.

Together, these meanings make Twig Weave a talisman for anyone in a season of change, self-discovery, or renewal.

🌿 Stone Spotlight: Moss Agate

The centerpiece of this version of the pendant is Moss Agate, a gemstone known for:

grounding and stabilizing energy

emotional balance and calm

deepening one’s connection to nature

encouraging steady growth

Its green, moss-like inclusions feel like a forest preserved in stone — the perfect complement to the twig-like frame.

🌾 Handcrafted With Intent

Each Twig Weave pendant is shaped by hand, meaning no two are identical. The slight variations mimic nature itself — organic, imperfect, and deeply alive.

The metalwork carries a textured, bark-like feel, while the stone sits securely at the center, embraced by the woven form.

🌲 Designed for the Nature-Connected Soul

This piece is perfect for:

lovers of the forest

gardeners and nature wanderers

those seeking new beginnings

anyone who wants a symbolic piece of jewelry with real meaning

Whether worn as a daily grounding piece or a special talisman, the Twig Weave holds the energy of growth and the comfort of protection.

🍃 A Glimpse Into the Forest Collection

The Twig Weave is part of a growing series inspired by woodland forms, natural textures, and the quiet strength of living landscapes.

Each piece carries its own story, its own symbolism, and its own connection to the forest.

More designs will be coming soon — all woven from the same source of inspiration: nature itself.

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.

Gemstone Rings — Hand-Sculpted in Wax, Cast in Precious Metals

Every gemstone ring in my collection begins in the quiet corner of my studio, carved entirely by hand in jeweler’s wax. Unlike mass-produced settings, each piece is sculpted as a tiny work of art — textured, organic, and designed to honor the gemstone it holds.

The Art of Wax Sculpting

I use traditional lost-wax methods to sculpt each ring. Every curve, bark texture, root, vine, or petal is shaped one stroke at a time.

Once I’m satisfied with the sculpture, it is molded so the original wax can be preserved forever — allowing me to recreate the design in sterling silver, gold, or platinum without ever losing detail.

This process gives each ring a soul.

Nothing is computer-generated. Nothing is generic.

Just real craftsmanship — from my hands to yours.

Featured Gemstone Ring: Hand-Carved Botanical Setting

This wax model is part of my Gemstone Ring Collection — a design that grew naturally as I carved the branches upward to cradle the stone. The structure is organic and strong, just like the trees and vines that inspire my work.

Features:

Hand-carved branch setting

Sculpted organic textures

Molded to preserve the original design

Castable in silver, gold, or platinum

Perfect for gemstones with character — raw, rose-cut, or faceted

View available gemstone rings here:

👉 Etsy

👉Shopify

Why My Gemstone Rings Are Different

No CAD

No prefabricated settings

No shortcuts

Every ring carries the mark of the artist

Every piece begins with sculpture, not software

Collectors often tell me they can feel the “life” in my designs — the movement, the natural flow, the organic lines.

That is the result of creating art first… and jewelry second.

Explore More

✨ View my full collection of gemstone rings

✨ Discover raw and uncut diamond designs

✨ Learn about the lost-wax process in my studio updates

From Wax to Wonder: Carving the Foundation of a Tree-Inspired Ring

 

In this stage, nothing is polished, nothing is shiny, and nothing is “perfect.”

But the character of the piece is already alive.

This design features tree-trunk prongs that grow upward to cradle a natural gemstone. All of the bark texture you see is carved by hand. No molds. No templates. Just wax, tools, and time.

The stone sits in place during carving — something that surprises many people. It helps me shape the prongs around it exactly as the stone wants to be held. Every raw diamond or gemstone has its own personality, and my goal is to create a setting that supports it naturally, almost like growing a branch around it.

Once the carving is finished, this wax model will be cast in metal through the lost-wax process. The wax is melted away forever, leaving a perfect metal version of the sculpture you see here.

This is where the magic begins.

Thank you for following along with my process

Sharing these behind-the-scenes steps helps me stay connected to why I love creating — because every piece begins with an idea, a block of wax, and the desire to bring nature into wearable form.

If you’d like to see more of my work or upcoming designs, you can visit my shops:

🌿  Shopify

🌿  Etsy

Twig Weave Pendant – From Sketch to Sculpted Metal

The Twig Weave Pendant is a handcrafted concept that began as a simple pencil sketch and evolved into a fully realized piece of sculptural jewelry. Inspired by the organic flow of branches and roots, the design features a woven framework that gently cradles an oval gemstone at its center. Every line curves with intention, giving the pendant a sense of movement—as if it grew naturally into shape.

The journey starts with the original hand-drawn sketch, transformed into a wax model that captured the raw, rustic texture of intertwined twigs. From there, advanced digital rendering allowed the wax to be reimagined in precious metals, including 14k rose gold with an antique finish and sterling silver with a dark oxidized patina. The central stone—shown as an 8 × 10 mm moss agate—adds a natural, earthy elegance with its living green inclusions and unique patterns.

The final pendant measures 48 mm tall and 24 mm wide, creating a bold but balanced silhouette. This design will be available in your choice of solid metals, including:

Sterling Silver

14k or 18k Yellow Gold

14k or 18k Rose Gold

The Twig Weave Pendant symbolizes growth, protection, and the quiet strength found in nature. Every version—whether oxidized silver or warm antique gold—highlights its organic roots in a different way, making it an ideal piece for lovers of nature-inspired artistry and unique handmade jewelry.

Bringing a Wax Model to Life: A Nature-Inspired Ring in Rose Gold, Moissanite, and Sapphire

Designing jewelry is always a journey—one that begins with an idea, transforms through careful craftsmanship, and finally blossoms into a finished piece that reflects both imagination and artistry. Today, I’m excited to share the evolution of one of my newest creations: a wax model featuring a 6 × 8 mm pear-shaped moissanite, which has now been beautifully rendered in 14k rose gold, complete with two different gemstone options.

From Wax to Wonder

The first stage of every one of my designs begins in wax. This is where the organic shapes, branches, and leaves take form. In this particular piece, the center stone sits nestled inside hand-shaped leaves that curl upward as if nature itself is holding the gemstone in place. A small 2 mm round moissanite on the second band adds a soft touch of sparkle—almost like a dew drop resting on a petal.

These wax models capture the rawness and honesty of the design. They allow me to shape, carve, and adjust the details until everything feels true to the vision.

AI Rendering: A Helpful Preview, Not a Replacement

I often use AI tools to generate clean, metallic previews of what the final ring could look like once cast. This is especially helpful for showing customers different gemstone choices, metal colors, and setting variations before the physical piece is completed.

AI didn’t create the design—you’ll see that it simply transformed my original wax model into polished 14k rose gold renderings. This helps me visualize how the leaves will catch the light, how the prongs will cradle the pear-shaped stone, and how alternate gemstones might appear in the same design.

Two Beautiful Interpretations

Once the model was translated into a metal preview, two stunning options emerged:

✨ Option 1: Rose Gold & Moissanite

The warm glow of 14k rose gold enhances the organic details of the leaves. The moissanite center stone glitters with fire and brilliance, making the entire design feel romantic and timeless.

💙 Option 2: Rose Gold & Blue Sapphire

The same ring transforms dramatically when set with a pear-shaped blue sapphire. The deep, velvety blues contrast beautifully with rose gold—almost like a midnight garden wrapped around the finger.

Customizable for Every Customer

One of the things I love most about designing jewelry is flexibility. This ring can be customized to suit any preference:

• Metal Options: white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum

• Center Stones: moissanite, sapphire, morganite, lab diamond, or natural gemstone

• Accent Gems: moissanite, diamonds, sapphires, or any color that complements the main stone

Each version becomes personal—unique to the wearer, yet connected to the same artistic roots.

A Piece That Grows With You

Even in its wax stage, this design already held movement, emotion, and presence. Seeing it reimagined in rose gold with both moissanite and sapphire brings it to life in a way that celebrates the beauty of nature and the uniqueness of each client’s vision.

I can’t wait to cast the final piece and share the fully finished version with you soon!

 

The Floating Gemstone Collection: Crafting Nature-Inspired Jewelry With Heart

In the world of jewelry design, every new piece begins long before metal meets flame. It starts with an idea—a spark that grows, branches, and evolves into something tangible. Over the past few months, my creative journey has been shaped by a design that has quickly become one of my most requested and personally meaningful pieces: my floating gemstone branch ring.

This blog is a behind-the-scenes look at how these pieces are created, why they resonate with so many people, and how I use modern tools like AI ethically and transparently to help me refine ideas that originate from my own designs.

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Where the Design First Took Root

The foundation of this ring comes from one of my original pieces—an organic, branch-like design that wraps naturally around a gemstone. This style developed from my fascination with nature: twisting roots, growing limbs, and the way light gets caught between them. The first iteration was raw, wild, and textural, almost as if the ring had grown on its own.

Soon after sharing it, people were drawn to its shape and story. Customers began asking for variations—different stones, sizes, and moods—while still keeping the essence of that original, organic design.

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How AI Fits Into My Creative Process

I want to address this directly, because transparency matters: the designs you see here are mine—conceptually, structurally, creatively, and physically. Every ring I make begins with my own sketches, my own original finished pieces, and my own design language.

I sometimes use AI as a sketching assistant, not as a designer. By feeding the AI images of my own work, I can explore alternate angles, stone proportions, or textural variations. AI helps generate rough visual prompts so I can better imagine how a stone of a different size or shape might look in my existing design.

Another important way I use AI is to help customers visualize options. Once I complete the wax carving and later the finished cast, I upload a photo of the real piece into my AI preview tool. From that single real ring, I can show clients how the design would look in silver, white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold—without recasting it. I can also swap gemstones, such as previewing the ring with a white moissanite or a vivid green peridot.

This feature has become one of my customers’ favorites because it lets them confidently choose both metal and stone based on an accurate visual reference of their exact ring design. It saves time, reduces guesswork, and empowers them to personalize their piece.

But the hands that carve the wax, sculpt the branches, and set the gemstone—those are mine.

AI is a tool. The artistry is the craft.

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The Wax Carving: Where the New Piece Begins

With customer requests building around a white moissanite version of this design, I moved from concept to creation. Using jewelers’ wax, I began carving the branches—letting them rise, curve, and divide in a way that feels natural and alive.

The wax is where the gemstone first begins to "float." I carve negative spaces intentionally—allowing light to pass through, ensuring the stone is supported but not enclosed, creating the illusion that it hovers between branches.

This is the heart of my floating gemstone style. It’s not about making the stone sit higher—it’s about making it appear naturally suspended, like a drop of light balanced within the structure of the ring.

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From Wax to Metal: The Final Transformation

This design will soon be cast in Sterling Silver and set with a 1.5ct (6×8mm) white moissanite, a gemstone whose brilliance enhances the floating effect beautifully. The process takes about 3 to 4 weeks from carving to completion.

Once cast, the branches will gain strength and detail, the prongs will be refined, and the stone will be secured in its airy, living setting. The finished piece will retain the same organic motion as the wax—just crystallized into its final, lasting form.

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Why This Design Matters to Me

This branch ring is more than a commission or a popular request—it’s a milestone in my journey as an artist. It blends:

• my original design language
• my love for nature
• my carving work
• modern tools used ethically
• my customers’ trust

And most importantly, it represents the moment where an idea becomes a form—a place where a new piece begins.

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Thank You For Being Part of the Journey

To everyone who has asked for this design, who has followed its variations, or who has simply appreciated its style—thank you. Your support allows me to keep pushing my craft in new directions while staying rooted in the work I love.

More updates will come soon, including the finished cast and final stone setting. I can’t wait to share the completed piece with you.

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If you’d like to follow more of my creative process or commission your own variation of this design, feel free to reach out. Every ring has a story, and I’m honored to help create yours.

Where a New Piece Begins

It's usually right here...

It could be just staring at my mandrel visualizing what's in my head or sitting in my living room with a cup of coffee and a sketchpad.

Update:
I’ve started a new Studio Story series about how this design grows from sketch to wax to final piece. You can read the first chapter here.

Dawn Vertrees Raw Uncut Rough Engagement Wedding Rings: "Moss Agate & Oxidized Silver: The Twig Pendant That Captures Spring’s First Breath"

When I start a new piece, it never feels like I’m making something.

It feels like something is growing in my hands.

I work in soft jeweler’s wax — that deep blue-purple wax that gives just enough resistance to feel alive. When my tools touch it, the curves don’t feel carved… they feel grown. Roots begin to twist. A branch finds its direction. A leaf decides where it wants to live.

And if I’m holding a stone, the wax grows differently.

I don’t usually design a setting.

I let the twigs and leaves grow toward the stone, around it, sometimes lifting it.

As if the stone is a gift the piece is offering — a tiny present for whoever will wear it.

That moment — when the wax stops being wax and starts being alive — that’s the part I love the most. It’s where everything begins.

🍃

This blog isn’t going to be a tutorial.

It’s simply a look inside my studio: the sketches, the wax shavings, the experiments, the little frustrations, the surprises, the tools I return to again and again.

I’m dyslexic, so I speak best through my hands, my sketches, and my photos.

Think of this space as my visual journal — a trail of moments from the bench.

Welcome to my studio.

Let’s grow something together.

"Moss Agate & Oxidized Silver: The Twig Pendant That Captures Spring’s First Breath"

Available Spring 2026

Moss Agate Twig Pendant

Lost-wax cast in sterling silver, this pendant features hand-sculpted twigs that organically embrace an oval moss agate cabochon. The stone’s dendritic inclusions evoke a hidden forest, while the oxidized silver adds depth and contrast. A one-of-a-kind talisman of nature’s quiet magic.

My Sunday afternoon sketch.