Wednesday, September 30, 2026

When the Twig Ring Grew Leaves

One-of-a-Kind Leaf & Twig Rough Diamond Ring, hand sculpted by Dawn.

When the Twig Ring Grew Leaves

Some jewelry designs don't need to be completely reinvented. Sometimes, they simply need room to grow.

The original Rough Diamond Twig Ring was created from my signature Twig Collection—a hand-sculpted design built around the natural movement of intertwined branches and a rough diamond.

Now, that design has evolved.

I took the original Twig Ring and added three of my hand-sculpted leaves, creating a new Leaf & Twig Rough Diamond Ring while keeping the character of the original design.

This new ring is one of a kind, hand sculpted by me in wax and created in 925 sterling silver with a medium oxidized finish.

At the center is a 1.85–2.00 carat rough diamond, cast in place as part of the design.

The leaves are not separate decorative pieces added afterward. They are part of the sculpted design itself, flowing together with the branches and creating the organic movement that is at the heart of my Leaf & Twig Collection.


Hand-sculpted Leaf & Twig rough diamond ring wax model on a ring mandrel.
The Leaf & Twig Ring begins to take shape around the rough diamond.

From Twig to Leaf & Twig

The original Twig Ring has no leaves.

It is all about the branches—intertwining, crossing, and creating a natural setting around the rough diamond.

I wanted to see what would happen if I allowed that same design language to grow.

The answer became this ring.

Three leaves now move through the branches, giving the design a completely different presence while still connecting it directly to the original Twig Ring.

And because each piece begins with my hands and a piece of wax, no two will ever be exactly alike.


Angled view of Dawn's hand-sculpted Leaf & Twig rough diamond ring wax model.
A different angle reveals how the hand-sculpted branches flow around the stone.

When the Twig Ring Grew Leaves

Some jewelry designs don't need to be completely reinvented. Sometimes, they simply need room to grow.

The original Rough Diamond Twig Ring was created from my signature Twig Collection—a hand-sculpted design built around the natural movement of intertwined branches and a rough diamond.

Now, that design has evolved.

I took the original Twig Ring and added three of my hand-sculpted leaves, creating a new Leaf & Twig Rough Diamond Ring while keeping the character of the original design.

This new ring is one of a kind, hand sculpted by me in wax and created in 925 sterling silver with a medium oxidized finish.

At the center is a 1.85–2.00 carat rough diamond, cast in place as part of the design.

The leaves are not separate decorative pieces added afterward. They are part of the sculpted design itself, flowing together with the branches and creating the organic movement that is at the heart of my Leaf & Twig Collection.


From the side, the layered twig structure and sculpted leaves become part of the story.

A Rough Diamond at the Center

I love rough diamonds because they already have their own personality.

Rather than cutting away everything that makes the crystal unique, I design around it.

The rough diamond in this ring is cast in place, becoming part of the structure of the ring itself.

The result is a very substantial, durable design—while still retaining the natural character of a rough diamond.


Monday, September 21, 2026

Where Love Takes Root — A Redwoods Proposal | Dawn Vertrees Jewelry

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Some jewelry begins with a stone. Some begins with a story. And sometimes, a story leads us into the forest.

There is something special about creating jewelry for two people who are beginning a life together.

As a jewelry artist, I get to be part of a small but meaningful chapter in someone's life. From the first conversation about a design to the moment a ring is placed on a finger, every step carries a little piece of the story.

This particular story began with David, who reached out to me to create a pair of amazing rings for his proposal. We worked together through the design process, and I had the opportunity to help guide him as we brought his vision to life.

What I didn't know at the time was how beautiful the moment would be when he finally asked her to marry him.

A heartfelt proposal beneath the towering redwoods, where love and nature became part of a beautiful beginning.


The engagement ring features a beautiful blue gemstone held within flowing, organic branches. The rose-gold-colored design embraces the stone, creating the kind of natural movement that has inspired my work for so many years.

My jewelry isn't about making everything perfectly symmetrical. I love the way nature creates its own balance, with branches that curve, overlap, and move in unexpected directions.

That same philosophy is part of what makes each custom piece special.

David and I also worked on a wedding band connected to the design of her engagement ring. The idea was to create something for him that carried a meaningful connection to the ring she would wear.

Jewelry can be beautiful on its own. But when a design carries a story between two people, it becomes something more.


The Happiness of Seeing the Rings Worn

Close-up of a blue oval gemstone engagement ring with flowing rose gold branches and dark textured details surrounding the stone.

A one-of-a-kind nature-inspired engagement ring, where flowing rose gold branches embrace a deep blue gemstone—created to hold a story as unique as their love.


After the proposal, David reached out to share the wonderful news.

He told me:

"The proposal went off beautifully and my fiancé loved her rings, thank you again for working with us, I cannot express how much I appreciate your help and guidance through the process."

Those words meant so much to me.

Creating custom jewelry is about more than the finished piece. It is about listening, working through ideas, answering questions, and helping someone create a ring that feels right for the person they love.

When a customer comes back to tell me that everything went beautifully, it is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

A Story Worth Carrying Forward

A beautiful beginning to forever—David and his fiancée celebrating their love beneath the towering redwoods, with their custom rings marking a moment they will always remember.

David and his fiancée, thank you for allowing me to share a little piece of your story.

Thank you for trusting me with such an important part of your proposal and for sharing these beautiful photographs. It means a great deal to know that you are both happy with your rings.

I hope your life together is filled with love, adventure, and many wonderful moments.

And to anyone who is beginning to imagine a ring for someone special, remember that your story can be part of the design.

Whether it begins with a leaf, a twig, a gemstone, or simply an idea you have in your heart, I would love to help you explore what we can create together.

With love,

Dawn Vertrees

Dawn Vertrees Jewelry — Nature-inspired, one-of-a-kind jewelry created with heart.

A deep blue gemstone rests within flowing rose-gold branches, creating a one-of-a-kind nature-inspired engagement ring designed to carry a love story.

A deep blue gemstone rests within flowing rose-gold branches, creating a one-of-a-kind nature-inspired engagement ring designed to carry a love story.

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