I'm a '70s Wild Child... That's Me. Hi! 🌿

A handcrafted sterling silver ring inspired by the tiny flowers that have come to symbolize remembrance, enduring love, and cherished memories.

There are two things that have shaped my life more than anything else—nature and creating with my hands.

I'm a '70s wild child. I grew up loving the outdoors, wandering through the woods, noticing the little things most people walked right past. Twisted branches. Tiny woodland flowers. New buds after a spring rain. Those moments stayed with me.

That's me. Hi!

Forget Me Not Ring in sterling silver with a soft oxidized finish. Hand sculpted to capture the delicate beauty of woodland flowers and new spring buds.

I've never wanted my jewelry to look manufactured. I want it to feel like it grew there.

The Forget Me Not Ring is one of those pieces.

Instead of drawing a flower on paper, I sculpted every flower, bud, and branch in wax by hand. Each tiny blossom was shaped individually until it looked like a small bouquet gathered from the garden.

When the master was finished, it was carefully molded so this design can live on for years to come. Creating that mold is a one-time investment, allowing each future casting to faithfully reproduce the original sculpture while every ring is still individually finished by hand.

This sterling silver version weighs 12.558 grams, giving it a substantial feel without sacrificing comfort. After casting, every ring is cleaned, detailed, oxidized (if selected), and polished to bring out the depth of the flowers and bark textures.

When I finally slipped it on my finger, I laughed and said,

"If this ring were in gold, I'd be wearing it right now because it's so freaking cool."

The Forget Me Not Ring comes to life when worn. Hand sculpted in sterling silver with a soft oxidized finish, this woodland-inspired design was created to be worn and loved every day.

🎕

That pretty much says it all.

As artists, we spend countless hours wondering if others will love a piece. Sometimes, though, you create something that makes you smile every time you look at it.

This is one of those rings.

I hope that when someone wears it, they don't just see flowers.

I hope they remember a walk through the woods...

A favorite garden...

Someone they love...

Or simply that nature has a way of reminding us to slow down and notice the beauty that's been there all along.

Nature Designs the Prongs

"Only one hour into carving, and the branches are already finding their way around the Moss Agate. Nature has a beautiful way of designing the prongs. 🌿✨"

Nature Designs the Prongs...

Sometimes the best jewelry designs don't begin with a drawing—they begin with listening to nature.

Today, only one hour into carving this new ring in blue wax, the design is already beginning to tell its own story. Rather than forcing traditional prongs around the gemstone, I allowed the branches to grow naturally, wrapping around a 10 x 8 mm oval Moss Agate cabochon as though the stone had always belonged there.

The beauty of working in wax is that every curve can evolve organically. One branch becomes two. A gentle twist becomes the beginning of a tree. Before long, the prongs disappear, replaced by something that feels alive.

There are still many hours of carving ahead before the bark texture, flowing lines, and final details emerge, but this early stage is often my favorite. It's the moment when an idea first takes root.

Sometimes, nature designs the prongs better than we ever could.

Materials

• Sterling Silver
• Oxidized Finish
• 10 × 8 mm Oval Moss Agate Cabochon
• Hand carved in wax using the lost wax casting process

 

Nature Designs the Prongs... I Simply Follow

 

Tree branches growing vertically, naturally forming twig-like prongs that inspired Dawn Vertrees' floating gemstone jewelry designs and handcrafted lost wax jewelry.

Horizontal tree branch resembling an organic gemstone setting with natural twig prongs, inspiring Dawn Vertrees' nature-inspired engagement ring designs.

Nature Designs the Prongs... I Simply Follow

When a Tree Teaches a Jeweler

There are moments when inspiration doesn't come from a jewelry store, a design book, or a sketch on paper.

Sometimes it comes from standing beneath a tree.

Recently, I found myself looking up into a canopy of branches. Most people would have seen beautiful leaves, twisting limbs, and filtered sunlight. I saw something different.

I saw prongs.

Not the manufactured, perfectly symmetrical prongs found in traditional jewelry, but something far more elegant. Nature doesn't force balance—it creates harmony. Every branch grows with purpose, supporting the next until something beautiful is lifted toward the light.

That is exactly how I have designed jewelry for years.

Nature Never Uses Four Identical Prongs

When I sculpt in soft wax, I don't begin by asking, "Where do the prongs go?"

Instead, I ask,

"How would nature hold this gemstone?"

A tree doesn't grow identical branches around a leaf. A vine doesn't wrap perfectly around a flower. Every curve has movement, every twig has a purpose, and every branch supports the life growing from it.

That philosophy has become the foundation of my jewelry.

A gemstone shouldn't look trapped.

It should look as though it has grown there.

The Floating Gemstone

One of the signatures of my designs is what I call my Floating Diamond Collection.

Rather than forcing a diamond into a traditional setting, I allow graceful twigs and branches to rise naturally beneath the stone, gently lifting it as if presenting a gift from the forest itself.

The result is light.

Air.

Movement.

The gemstone appears to float while remaining securely held by nature-inspired forms.

Nature Solves the Engineering

As I studied these branches, I realized something that made me smile.

Nature had already solved the hardest part.

Every twist and intersection creates incredible strength without looking heavy. The branches divide naturally, creating support points that are both beautiful and functional.

As a jeweler, my job isn't to improve upon nature.

My job is simply to listen.

More Than Jewelry

Every ring, pendant, and pair of earrings I create begins with observation.

A walk beneath the trees.

A winding root.

A tiny twig reaching toward the sunlight.

These quiet moments become precious metals, gemstones, and heirlooms that carry the spirit of the forest into everyday life.

When someone wears one of my designs, I hope they feel more than beauty.

I hope they feel connected to something timeless.

To growth.

To strength.

To nature itself.

Because sometimes the greatest designer has always been standing silently in the forest.

And I'm simply grateful to translate its work into jewelry.

---

❤️ Dawn Vertrees
Master Lost Wax Artist | Nature-Inspired Jewelry Designer

"Nature designs the prongs... I simply follow." 🌿💎

The Floating Diamond Bridal Set Grows: Sculpting the Companion Ring in Wax

Every bridal set begins with a vision. Today, that vision grows as the companion wedding band is sculpted by hand in wax. Designed to flow naturally around the floating diamond engagement ring, each twig is carefully shaped to look as though it grew together in nature—creating a bridal set that celebrates love, craftsmanship, and the beauty of the forest.

💚

Every collection has its quiet moments of growth. Today, I’m sharing the next chapter in the Floating Diamond Collection—the companion ring that completes the story.

Nature’s Continuing Embrace

The original Floating Diamond ring asks the eye to linger on the stone gently lifted by two sculpted leaves. This matching band (or second engagement option in the set) weaves the narrative further. Twigs flow organically around the finger while additional leaves rise to support and frame the design, creating a harmonious set that feels like it grew together.

In the wax stage shown here, you can see the hand-sculpted details: the flowing band with bark-like texture, the varied leaves that echo the engagement ring, and the way the structure cradles the diamond with lightness rather than heavy prongs.

From Wax to 14k Rose Gold

In about two weeks, this wax model will be cast in 14k rose gold. I envision a light oxidation to highlight the organic textures—the bark will catch subtle depth, while the polished leaves and diamond will shine in contrast. The warm rose tones will beautifully complement the green-to-purple hues often seen in the wax, bringing the piece fully to life.

The Full Set Vision

Worn together, the engagement ring and companion create a cohesive woodland-inspired bridal set. Each element supports the other, much like branches and leaves in nature. This design is ideal for those seeking something unique, meaningful, and free from traditional prong-heavy settings.

I’ll share casting updates, the finished metal version, and more process photos as this piece moves forward. Custom options are available—reach out if you’d like your own variation with different stones or details.

— Dawn

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