A Wax Artist’s Palette: The Alchemy of Hand-Sculpted Jewelry

"A Wax Artist’s Palette: Where the alchemy begins. Every color represents a different level of hardness, carefully layered on my hand—my true canvas—to build a foundation of strength for each one-of-a-kind design."

From Wax to Wonder: The Art of the Carve

When you look at my workbench, you’ll see a vibrant mix of pinks, greens, and blues. These aren't just for show—each color represents a different hardness and flexibility in the wax.

In this custom ring, I use a "harder" wax for the structural base to ensure it holds its shape on the mandrel, while a "softer," more pliable wax is used to meticulously "grow" the organic vines around the diamond. This allows me to capture the delicate, overlapping flow of nature that defines my signature style.

My hand-sculpted palette of colorful waxes, each chosen for its specific hardness to build a foundation of strength and beauty.

Visualizing the Final Piece

Because these multi-color waxes can be difficult to imagine in a single precious metal, I want to help you see the final vision. This is a one-of-a-kind ring with a cast-in-place rough diamond. Since the wax model is lost during the casting process, I can only cast this ring once.

Precision in motion—using a heated tool to carefully "grow" the soft green and blue wax twigs around the rough diamond.

By showing you these recreations, I can give you a solid choice between styles prior to the final pour.

Your Choice: Silver or Rose Gold?

The metal you choose completely changes the "soul" of the ring:

Sterling Silver with Light Oxidation: This option highlights every tiny detail. The light oxidation sits in the deep crevices of the hand-carved vines, creating a beautiful contrast that makes the organic textures look like a piece of forest floor.

My hand-sculpted palette of colorful waxes, each chosen for its specific hardness to build a foundation of strength and beauty.

The completed 100% organic vision, where the twigs serve as the setting, locking the diamond in place forever during casting.

14k Rose Gold with a Light Antique Finish: The 14k rose gold offers incredible durability for daily wear. The light antique finish removes the harsh "new" shine, giving the ring a soft, heirloom quality that glows against the skin.

My hand-sculpted palette of colorful waxes, each chosen for its specific hardness to build a foundation of strength and beauty.

 

The warmth of 14k rose gold finished with a light antique glow, perfectly capturing the organic flow of hand-sculpted vines around a rough diamond. 

The Final Touch

As with all my work, I have hand-carved my "DV" initials into the wax. It’s a signature I’ve used for 20 years, inspired by my father, Hubert, who signed every one of his wildlife paintings. It is my promise to you that this piece was sculpted by hand, with heart, right here in the North Carolina foothills.

Cast-in-Place: How I Created the Organic "Floating" Rough Diamond Ring

Artist’s Note: The Fire off the Bench

"Creating a Cast-in-Place ring is not for the faint of heart. In this process, I don't just set the diamond after the ring is finished; I place the stone directly into the wax model and cast them together.

This means the diamond must withstand the intense heat of the molten 14k gold. It is a high-risk technique—not every stone survives the thermal shock. But for the ones that do, the reward is magical. The gold contracts as it cools, locking the stone in a permanent, organic embrace that traditional prongs can never mimic. It creates a bond where the stone and the metal truly become one."  

— Dawn Vertrees

A one-of-a-kind "Floating Diamond" ring,
featuring a 4.2ct rough diamond cast-in-place within
14k solid rose gold hand-carved leaves.


The Fire & The Stone

Large Floating Raw Rough Diamond Engagement Ring in 14k Rose Gold, Antiqued Finish.

Introducing our floating diamond concept, a fresh take on traditional prong settings. I'm so excited to explore new possibilities with rough and faceted diamonds including ruby and sapphire gemstones.

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.

Material: 14k Solid Rose Gold

Finish: Polished with an antique finish.

Gemstone: 4.2ct Natural Rough Diamond

Gemstone Color: White/Light Silver Color

Ring Height: 8mm

Ring Length: 12.5mm

Bottom Band Width: 3.54mm

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!

The Palette of an Artist: The Artist's Palette and Nature's Signature

"This image perfectly illustrates my philosophy: the gold smear was created with a palette knife, treating precious metal just as a painter treats paint on a canvas. It is the signature of an artist inspired by nature."

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While I work with precious metals and gemstones, the traditional title of "jeweler" has never felt like the complete picture of what I do. When people see my work, like the piece in the image above, I explain that I see myself as an artist whose medium happens to be jewelry.

The image below the ring perfectly illustrates my philosophy. The gold smear, created with a painter's palette knife, symbolizes my sculptural approach to the craft. Just as a painter uses brushes to create a painting on canvas, I use carving tools to sculpt intricate details in wax. To me, that wax is simply my paint, and nature is my inspiration. 

My designs are different from the symmetrical, traditional pieces you often find in standard jewelry stores. They are wearable sculptures inspired by raw, untamed beauty.

Wearing a DV design is like wearing a tiny, intricate piece of art where you can see organic details that are unique to my hand-carved process.

Skeeter: The Sterling Silver Tree Frog Pendant - A Little Warrior of Resilience and Luck

Skeeter is ready to leap!
Our hand-sculpted Sterling Silver Tree Frog Pendant,
designed with a hidden bail for a seamless look.

🐸

"This little tree frog is just too cute! His name is Skeeter. I sculpted this little tree frog as if he was ready to jump at whatever came his way... a mosquito, a moth, or that pesky little fly."

Skeeter is more than jewelry; he is a tiny, fierce warrior, hand-sculpted with passion to represent transformation, resilience, and luck. Wear him as your daily talisman, reminding you to be ready to leap at life's opportunities!

Etsy Shop

Why Skeeter is Special:

Original Artistry: Every detail was lovingly sculpted by hand in wax, ensuring his personality and life-like texture shine through.

Heirloom Quality: Cast in solid Sterling Silver (or 14K Gold options) using the traditional lost wax method, Skeeter is a treasure built to last for generations.

Focus on Design: The custom bail is hidden discreetly under his hand, ensuring the focus remains entirely on Skeeter's beautiful, ready-to-jump sculpture.

The stunning details of Skeeter! Close-up view of the
Sterling Silver Tree Frog Pendant, showing his expressive face and textured feet.

Product Details:

Size: Approximately 2 inches tall (from hand to toe) and 1 5/8 inches wide.

Material: Sterling Silver (shown). Also available in 14K Yellow Gold or 14K White Gold.

Finish: High Polished.

Bail: Hidden under his hand.

Want to see more of the creative process? Please visit my Blog: http://www.dawnvertrees.com/

Hand-Sculpted Rose Ring with Pink Sapphire by Dawn Vertrees

Additional Pictures and Prices

Every petal on this ring was born in fire. Using the centuries-old lost-wax method, I sculpt a real rosebud in wax, layer by delicate layer, until the bloom feels alive on your finger. Then the wax vanishes in the kiln, replaced by molten metal that captures every curl, every vein, every whisper of nature.

Choose Your Metal, Choose Your Mood

• Sterling Silver – crisp, cool, everyday poetry

• 14K White Gold – sleek modern romance

• 14K Yellow Gold – warm sunshine on petals

• 14K Rose Gold – the original “Rosegold bloom” glow

• 18K White, Yellow & Rose Gold – ultimate luxury upgrade

Rosegold Bloom Edition – because love should blush.

The Heart of the Rose: Pink Sapphire

A single natural pink sapphire (approx. 4 mm, ~0.35 ct) nestles in the center like morning dew. Its delicate blush mirrors the rose itself—symbol of passion, tenderness, and promises that last.

Details at a Glance

Ring Width (band): 3.5 mm

Rose Head Diameter: ~12.5 mm

Rose and Stone Height: 7.72

Stone: Natural pink Sapphire

Finish: High-polish with oxidized petal shadows

made for you.

Links to purchase are coming soon.