Wax, Gold, and Grit: Crafting Jewelry Built for a Lifetime

The Foundation: Hand-carving the wax model
to perfectly cradle a rough diamond.

• The Artist's Vision: I begin every design by hand-carving the wax to cradle the specific textures of nature.

• A Unique Perspective: My dyslexia is a gift that allows me to "see" these three-dimensional shapes before the carving even starts.

• The Specialized Foundation: In this wax stage, I’ve already secured the rough diamond for my signature "cast-in-place" technique.

The Transformation: A side-by-side view showing
my hand-carved wax model transitioning into solid 14k gold.

• The Magic of the "Split": This side-by-side view shows the direct transition from my hand-carved model to solid 14k gold.
• Built for Life: Notice how the leaves and twigs replace traditional prongs—this is the heart of my "How It's Not Made" philosophy.
• Durability First: By eliminating thin prongs, I ensure your jewelry is as strong as it is beautiful.

The Masterpiece: The finished 14k gold design,
showcasing the strength of the cast-in-place rough diamond and my
signature nature-inspired textures.

• The Finished Masterpiece: After my carving is complete, my partner Jacob helps with the expert casting and finishing.
• One-of-a-Kind Art: Because I focus on individual designs rather than collections, this piece is truly unique.
• Shop the Look: You can find my latest nature-inspired creations on my website.

 

A Mother-Daughter Journey: Crafting Heirlooms from the Heart

We are Dawn and Missy, a mother-daughter duo crafting meaningful jewelry with love. Dawn dreams up the next wearable sculpture while Missy keeps our small business running smoothly. Together, we create one-of-a-kind treasures handmade right here in North Carolina.

The Hearts Behind the Art

We are Dawn and Missy, a mother and daughter team. We craft meaningful jewelry with love.

What started as Dawn’s passion for sculpting and designing is now a thriving small business. We are known for our one-of-a-kind twig engagement rings and raw gemstone pieces.

Missy keeps things running while Dawn dreams up your next heirloom. We love connecting with our customers. We enjoy being part of your most special moments.

Every piece is handmade in North Carolina with heart and a whole lot of sparkle. 

Nature’s Blueprint: Sculpting the Larimar Ring Through the Storm

Original hand-drawn blueprint for the custom
Larimar ring, featuring the signature "DV" initials and climbing vine motif.

The Journey of a Custom Design

Every piece I create begins long before I touch the wax. It starts with a conversation. I believe that jewelry should be as unique as the person wearing it, so we begin by discussing your vision—the flow, the textures, and the story you want the piece to tell.

Phase 1: The Design

Once we have the design figured out through our collaboration, the "blueprint" is set. Because I work as an artist rather than a traditional jeweler, I’m looking for a design that feels alive and organic, moving away from mass-produced looks and rigid prongs.

Phase 2: Selecting the Soul

With the design finalized, we move on to finding the right gemstone. This is one of my favorite parts to share with a client. For a recent custom Larimar ring, I presented these three options:

• Stone A, B, and C 

By seeing the stones side-by-side on a clean palette, you can see the different "landscapes" within the Larimar. Whether you prefer a soft, misty blue or a deep, tidal pattern, this choice ensures the heart of the ring is exactly what you  envisioned.

Establishing the "Riverbend" texture on the purple wax base using a constant-heat tool set at 450°.

The Foundation of the Bezel

The Vision Takes Shape

Every project begins with a conversation and a choice. For this particular adventure, my client chose "Option B": a stunning 6.2mm Larimar cabochon. 

With the stone selected, I moved into the most critical phase—creating the base ring and the bezel that will eventually secure this treasure.

A look at the scale of the first hand-carved signature leaf against the
6.2mm Larimar setting.

Sculpting with Heat

Using my constant-heat tool set to 450°, I began the meticulous process of shaping the purple wax on the mandrel. This isn't just a standard setting; it’s a hand-sculpted bezel to hold the Larimar gemstone. 

You can see in the latest studio shots how the heat tool allows for pinpoint accuracy as I build up the "Riverbend" texture around the stone's seat. This high-temperature stability is what allows me to create such delicate, bark-like ridges that remain structurally sound for the final casting.

The Blueprint of Nature 

As I work, I keep my original sketch close by. It serves as my map, reminding me where the signature leaves will sprout and how the vines will eventually climb to meet the bezel. Even at this early stage, the ring is no longer just wax—it's the beginning of a wearable forest.

Refining the winding vines as they climb from the textured band toward the Larimar bezel.

Final Phase: Prepping for the Caster

Now that the base, the bezel, and the intricate vine-work are nearing completion, the final step of the carving process is the official "DV" signature. Once that is carved into the wax, I will begin the prep work to send the model to my master jeweler for casting.

This preparation is vital to ensure that every organic detail—from the 450° heat-textured bark to the veins in the leaves—is captured perfectly when the purple wax is transformed into solid gold.

To be continued...

How It’s NOT Made - Rooted in Endurance

Built for the Wild: The "How It's Not Made" Philosophy

Most jewelry is designed for the jewelry box. It’s made with thin prongs, hollow stems, and fragile settings that ask you to pause. They tell you to take off your ring before you mount your horse, or to leave your necklace behind before you hit the trailhead.

We don’t believe in pausing.

How It’s Not Made

At DV Jewelry Designs, we’ve spent 20 years perfecting a process that the traditional industry won't touch. We don't "set" stones in fragile cages. We cast them in place. We sculpt 14k gold and sterling silver directly around the raw, organic edges of diamonds and gemstones, mimicking the way ancient roots grip the earth.

"Because your life shouldn't have to pause for your jewelry."

For the Climber & Hiker

You know the sound of granite against a ring. In a traditional setting, that’s the sound of a stone falling out. In a DV piece, it’s just another day on the mountain. Our organic twig and root designs are low-profile and solid, built to handle the grit of the trail and the pressure of the rock.

For the Equestrian

A lead rope or a heavy rein can bend a standard ring in seconds. Our "How It’s Not Made" approach ensures that your jewelry is as rugged as the spirit of the ride. No snags, no warping—just art that stays as strong as the bond with your horse.

The Endurance Standard

"Forged in the fire and anchored in gold, our designs are built to stay where they belong—on your hand, through every summit and every stride."

Slowing Down for the Details: A Preview of What’s Next

I know we are approaching the season of hearts and chocolates, but this year, I have decided to step back from the Valentine’s Day rush. Instead of hurrying, I am taking a few extra weeks to truly immerse myself in the design process.

I believe that good things take time, and "perfect" takes a little longer. I am currently spending my days at the bench, fine-tuning the wax models for a brand-new release coming in late February. I want to make sure every curve of the branch and every gill under the mushroom caps is exactly right before they go to casting.

The new Mushroom & Fern pendant, hand-carved
and cast in solid Sterling Silver with a light oxidation finish to highlight the textures.

First Look: The Mushroom & Fern Series I am particularly excited to introduce this first set. Nature is, as always, my guide, but these pieces feel a bit more like a storybook coming to life.

I’m starting with a new pendant where I’ve carved a cluster of tiny mushrooms sprouting along one side, balanced by a detailed fern frond on the other. It frames the stone like a hidden window into the forest floor. I’ve also designed matching earrings that feature those same mushrooms climbing up a textured branch.

Forest Floor Mushroom & Twig Pendant Necklace

The Twig & Branch Designs To complement the mushrooms, I’ve been refining a series of organic twig designs. These are all about the flow of the wood—the way vines and branches naturally weave to protect what they hold.

I am working on a few variations of this pendant. Some are intricate and woven, while others are cleaner and more open. I’ve also created a pair of simple, elegant twig earrings with a gentle curve that will be perfect for everyday wear.

Matching organic branch earrings featuring
tiny sprouting mushrooms, cast in Sterling Silver.

The Finishing Touches When these are ready in late February, they will be cast in solid Sterling Silver. I plan to finish them with a light oxidation. This is my favorite way to bring organic jewelry to life—the darkness settles into the deep crevices of the bark texture and the details of the ferns, making the silver pop and revealing all the hard work I'm putting into these waxes right now.

Thank you for your patience while I refine these new creations. I can’t wait to show you the finished results!

Antique White Gold Rough Diamond Twig Engagement Ring by DV Jewelry Designs

 Hand Created Twig Engagement Ring

Dawn Vertrees Jewelry

Rough Diamond Twig Engagement, Antique White Gold Branch Ring - Anniversary Ring- DV Jewelry Designs

This ring has sold but another can be made!

These are unique elongated rough diamonds that are difficult to find because

diamonds chemical structure requires the super tight carbon bonds that don't easily lean to long and skinny growth patterns, so finding these are difficult to fine.

One-of-a-Kind Hand sculpted Ring

Rough Raw Diamond: 3.35ct (Approx. as Raw Stones vary in shape and size)

Material: 14k White Gold

Finish: Black Rhodium/Antiqued

Top Width: 11.21mm

Bottom Band Width: 3.82

Diamond Height: 8.42mm

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

Dawn Vertrees Jewelry...Elegance Uncut.

Blue Sapphire Gemstone Engagement Ring

Additional Information, click here for additional pictures & prices.

https://dawnvertreesjewelry.etsy.com/listing/1688422475

Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring

●Gemstone: 6 x 8mm Lab created Blue Sapphire

●Material: Solid 14k Rose Gold (shown and is Available Now)

Ring Height: 5.75mm

Ring Length: 11.33mm

Bottom Band Width: 3.97mm

Optional Lab created gemstones including Moissanite Diamonds (contact for price)

Creative Process: Hand sculpted wax model using the Lost-wax-process.

Cast-in-place: A process where the stone and the wax model I create is cast simultaneously in solid gold or silver. The stone and metal become one thing, making the one-of-a-kind piece each time.

What is a Lab Sapphire?

Flame fusion is a process of melting aluminum oxide, the primary mineral in sapphire. The powder forms into a cone shape that melts and starts the crystal growth during this process. It eventually creates a teardrop shade. To change the hue and outcome of the stone, scientists add different minerals to the aluminum oxide. While blue sapphire is most common, they form other colors, too. For example, adding chromium will produce a ruby. Lab-created gemstones with this method are relatively inexpensive and easier to obtain. This process is faster, leading to a shorter wait between creating the gemstone

This ring comes with a small ring tote and ring box.

Dawn Vertrees Jewelry...Elegance Uncut.

DV Jewelry Designs

info@dvjewelrydesigns.com

 

14k Rough Raw Uncut Diamond Bridal Set by Dawn

Rough Raw Uncut Diamond shown in 14k Rose Gold, Handmade Two Prong Ring - Raw Diamond Engagement - Bridal Set by DV Jewelry Designs

Rough Raw Uncut Diamond shown in 14k Rose Gold, Handmade Two Prong Ring - Raw Diamond Engagement - Bridal Set by DV Jewelry Designs

Hand created nature inspired, one-of-a-kind, 2.78 carat Rough Uncut Diamond in 14k Rose Gold.

Ring in Photo is Available Now!

Creative Process: Hand sculpted wax model using the Lost-wax-process.

Cast-in-place: A process where the stone and the wax model I create is cast simultaneously in solid gold. The stone and metal become one thing, making the one-of-a-kind piece each time.

Description for ring shown in listing:

Stone: 2.78ct Rare White Low Profile Rough Diamond

Material: 14k Solid Rose Gold, Stamped

Finish: Polished

Current Ring Size: 6.75 (resizing included)

Ring Height: 6mm

Ring Set Length on Finger: 13mm

Solitaire Bottom Band Width: 3.71mm

Band Bottom Band Width: 2mm

One-of-a-Kind Return Policy:

"Available Now Rings", One-of-a-kind rings can be exchanged.

"Made-to-order", One-of-a-kind rings are not refundable.

This ring comes with a small ring tote and ring box.

https://dawnvertreesjewelry.etsy.com/listing/1638729541

DV Jewelry...Elegance Uncut.