A Bespoke Fox Pendant

We had a couple of weeks to make a bespoke fox pendant for a customer, below is his very impressive sketch that we worked from.

The front view was fine but the customers technical drawing of the side profile wasn't correct and match the from vie so we had to fine tune it.

To make the fox we decided to work in wax, because it's softer and easier to carve than metal and keeps the cost down for the customer. When faced with a block of wax it is much like a blank canvas, you have to map out perspective lines and mark where you need to take away the wax.

Below you can see the marked lines where we started to sculpt the head, trying to keep it perfectly even and symmetrical on each side is very tricky when creating geometric designs like this one. It is essential to take a little piece away at a time to slowly see how it will look in 3D.

After the initial form is made it becomes easier to see how the fox is going to look, we now start to even up all the edges and sharpen them up so that they are clear, precise and geometric, even a line that is a tiny bit curved is very noticeable when the fox is made into metal.

When creating a piece of jewellery in wax you have to completely finish it how you would in metal because any dust, scratches or holes will be even more difficult to get out in silver.

Now the fox head has been carved it is time to get it cast.

Once the fox had been made into silver we cleaned and polished it up, and took it to the platers where they added a layer of 18ct rose gold vermeil, we then added a diamond cut geometric chain to finish it off. We think he is fab and would love to make some different geometric animal heads.

Deciding to pop the question is a difficult and exciting prospect, especially if your not used to buying jewellery or not sure what her style of jewellery is. Here at Nude Jewellery we specialise in the unusual, quirky and contemporary engagement rings and love a challenge. Going bespoke is a great option because it means you can choose every aspect of the ring to make it special and unique.

This blog post will give you guidance on the initial proposal ring and different style options to consider when deciding on the design.

If you want to go bespoke but know your fiancé to be has a very distinctive taste that you usually get right but sometimes get very, very wrong, you might want to consider a stunt ring. Below are some humorous ideas such as 'The cable Tie,' rings by Ambre France or the 'Marry Me,' ring by Chris parry.

Simple Elegance Stunt Ring

 Organic Style Engagement Ring

In recent years more people are looking for a ring that you can't find on the high street, something unique that they wont see in the window of another jewellery shop. Organic styles are a great way to show personality whether it be a texture onto the metal, granulations or maybe rough cut gemstone.

Handmade Unique Platinum with Yellow Gold Engagement Ring

Unique Aquamarine Rough Cut Gemstone Engagement Ring

Handmade Silver With Yellow Gold Unique Zircon Engagement Ring

Dainty Engagement Rings

Dainty Rose Gold And White Sapphire Engagement Ring

Unusual Flower Diamond Engagement Ring

Unusual Curved Diamond Engagement Ring

Geo Flower Engagement Ring

Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

Why go for a simple solitaire when you could have one of these beautifully shaped unusual gemstones. Its the 21^st century and with it comes lots of new interesting gemstone and diamond shapes that can be used in the design.

Click To View Collection Of Unusual And Unique Engagement Rings

History of The Pearl

In ancient Rome pearls were a symbol of high status and were worn by the very wealthy. Chinese records indicate that pearls were cherished possessions within royalty, this is also true in ancient Rome as their has been many pearls found buried with royalty. An old fable involving the early queen of Egypt Cleopatra and Roman leader Mark Anthony reveals the importance of the pearl in royalty.

In the year 41 B.C Anthony invited Cleopatra for a banquet at Tarsus, Cleopatra challenged Anthony that she could give the most expensive meal ever provided with only a vessel of sour wine (vinegar). Anthony was perplexed when Cleopatra removed one of her pearl earrings and dropped it into the vinegar. The expensive pearl dissolved in the acidic solution, Cleopatra drank the goblet worth more than any meal in history and won the bet.

Cultured pearls are produced on oyster farms. The oysters are hung on ropes into the water, sometimes in baskets to stop predators like tiger fish and sea-turtles. They are anchored using concrete blocks. The next step is called seeding, this process involved prizing open the oyster and placing an irritant which is usually a small worm which is contrary to popular belief that a grain of sand is used. The oyster produces a nacre which creates the pearl, after the oyster produces a pearl is is usually sacrificed and eaten in the community because it will never produce a pearl as shiny as its first. To breed new oysters the farmers collect spat or commonly known as lava from around the area the oysters are kept.

image courtesy of http://www.tahiti-pearl-online.com/Pearls-of-Tahiti/pearl-farm.html

Symbolism of the Pearl

In Hindu culture, pearls were associated with the Moon and were symbols of love and purity One of the most common beliefs about the power of the pearl is its association with life. People believed pearls changed depending on the health of its wearer: the gem clouded if the wearer fell sick, and lost its lustre completely if the wearer died. Early Chinese scholars believed pearls had vital powers and have the power to prevent forest fires. Tales were told of pearls so luminous they could cook rice and could be seen from thousands of yards or even several miles away.

Tibetan monks were said to have a "seduction pearl" that would cause any woman caught in its rays to become ravenous for love. In Wales, the Celts believed pearls have incredible life-giving powers. They decorated sacred vessels known as the Mother-Pots, they believed it would contaminate the water contained by the vessel with its special powers. Pearls are used as a metaphor for love and beauty. Being an expression of love, the pearl became a euphemism for the clitoris in Victorian times, recalling its place at Aphrodite's pearly gate.

Pearl Facts and what to look for

Imitation Pearls:

Good imitations are made from beads of glass, ceramic or shell and coated with a varnish of lacquer and ground fish scales to mimic the pearl surface. Well made imitations can be quite hard to spot. One way is the 'tooth test'. Gently rub the pearl under the cutting edge of your top front teeth. Don't bite it. Real pearl should feel slightly gritty due to it's crystalline structure. An imitation pearl will feel smooth. This is not an infallible test.

View Our Pearl Collection at Nude Jewellery