Showing posts with label Rough Diamond Jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rough Diamond Jewelry. Show all posts

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.


Thursday, February 26, 2026

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

Hand-sculpted purple and blue wax ring model by Master Wax Artist Dawn Vertrees, featuring organic leaf and twig textures with a cast-in-place rough diamond.
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.

A side-by-side comparison of a purple wax ring carving and a finished 14k gold organic ring, highlighting the lost wax process and cast-in-place rough diamond technique used by Dawn Vertrees.
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.

A finished 14k gold organic ring by Master Wax Artist Dawn Vertrees, featuring a rough diamond securely integrated into a leaf and twig setting without traditional prongs.
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.