Final Work Showcase 7 (9ct White Gold Engagement Ring)

Hand crafted in 9ct White Gold and set as per client request entirely with Cubic Zirconia. It seems that the more thrifty clients these days know how to prioritize cash flow as the synthetic Cubic Zirconias may very easily be swapped for diamonds at a later stage.

Geometric design and classic symmetry combine to form the very straight forward yet extremely "bling"  engagement ring. It was made end of 2013. 

Final Work Showcase 3 (Orange Sapphire Engagement Ring)

To start 2014 with a bang, I will post one of the most exciting pieces I did end 2013. 

18ct Yellow Gold Engagement Ring set with 22 times 0.015pt Diamonds and a 1.15ct Oval " Padparadshahesque" Sapphire. 

Final Work Showcase 1 (White Gold and Diamond Engagement Ring)

In these posts I will merely feature individual pieces that I think exemplify my talent best. 

9ct White Gold Engagement Ring set with Diamonds. 

Media (Precious Stones and Metals)

As a jeweller it should be obvious that the media I use more often than any other would be precious metals and gemstones. There is a far greater variety of materials for a jeweller to work with than one might expect. Different coloured gold alloys, coloured gems and several not so traditional materials like wood and even plastic are all possible as successful jewellery elements. 

Gold and Diamonds

The most obvious and also most classic and spectacular medium remains the traditional gold and diamonds. The most often "variant" that one encounters here would be the options of white gold alloys and platinum.

There is nothing more classic than the combination of a white metal and a diamond.

Typically the most commonly accepted form of gold is in its standard, naturally occurring yellow colour. 

White and yellow gold successfully combine in a single jewellery piece as well. 

In this traditional sphere, the adding of traditionally accepted precious stones like Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby and Pearl are also often used materials. in these photos above we can see a sapphire at left and rubies at right.

Silver and Precious Stones

Silver is far more common and cheaper than gold but not cheap outright. It also qualifies as a noble metal and its "white" colour makes it far more versatile than the limited yellow colour of traditional gold. Contrary to some popular myths, diamonds may and can be set in silver with no adverse results. The rose ring pictured here is set with a diamond.

Silver may be polished gloss or be textured and combines easily with any coloured stone whether genuine or synthetic. 

Here, very rough worked silver sections is combined with uncut Tourmaline crystals. 

Silver and Synthetic Stones

Due to silver's low cost it is far more accessable in large quantities and thus allows for "bigger"and more austentatious jewels. If you combine it with synthetic stones, the effect can me quite spectacular and at a very reasonable price like in this tiara above.

The necklace is set with coloured Cubic Zirconias. When using silver, most of the client's budget can go to craftsmanship rather than a gram or two of gold.

Gold and Silver Combined

Gold may be combined with silver and then allows for a budget to be stretched with amazing results. This ring uses gold, silver and synthetic stones. 

Silver may also be oxidized allowing for a "blackened" effect that is impossible with white gold. The stones in this ring are Tanzanite and diamonds. 

Other Materials

Many other materials may be combined with the more traditional jewellery materials. I have use many innovative materials ranging from wood to liquid filled vials. Here follows some of the more "professional" options.

The dark blue stripe in this ring is resin enamel.

The red patches in these cuff links are perpex. 

The beads in the chain are glass, the wings of the scarab are resin enamel and the rest is silver, a blue Cubic Zirconia and a genuine Lapis Lazuli Scarab. 

The necklace is made of rubber. 

Work Classification (Jewellery Design and Manufacture)

This is my actual job, my bread and butter and it is the thing that has occupied most of my time over the last 20 years. I enjoy it and the odd chance that I might make a tiara (my absolute passion) also exists. Not a lot needs to be said except, I make all these pieces from scratch by hand. Sometimes I design from scratch too but that is rare. Most often a client has a set or at least vague idea with a photo or two to consider or just outright copy. 

Here is a drop in the bucket of all the jewellery I have made. 

Designed and manufactured in 2011 wholly by Daniel Swanepoel in Silver with Red Cubic Zirconias.

Designed and manufactured in 2013 wholly by Daniel Swanepoel in 9ct Yellow Gold and Silver with Synthetic Spinel and Cubic Zirconias.

Manufactured in 2013 by Daniel Swanepoel from a picture but to accommodate client's Diamonds in 18ct White Gold. 

Designed and manufactured in 2013 wholly by Daniel Swanepoel in 9ct White Gold around a client's genuine Cameo and set with Diamonds. The piece can be worn alternatively as a brooch or pendant. 

Design adapted from a picture and manufactured in 2012 by Daniel Swanepoel in 18ct White Gold and set with Diamonds. 

Designed and manufactured in 2001 wholly by Daniel Swanepoel in Silver.

Designed and manufactured in 2013 wholly by Daniel Swanepoel in 9ct Yellow Gold and Silver to accommodate client's Cubic Zirconias.

Designed and manufactured in 2006 wholly by Daniel Swanepoel in Silver and set with coloured Cubic Zirconias.

Designed and manufactured in 2011 wholly by Daniel Swanepoel to client's specifications to accommodate client's Diamonds and Tanzanite in 18ct White Gold.

Designed and manufactured in 2011 wholly by Daniel Swanepoel in Silver and set with Synthetic Amethyst.

Manufactured in 2011 by Daniel Swanepoel from a picture and set with Diamonds in 18ct White Gold. 

Manufactured in 2012 by Daniel Swanepoel from a picture and set with Diamonds in 18ct Yellow and White Gold.