Daniel Swanepoel Designer jeweller

Daniel Swanepoel Designer jeweller - Like us on Facebook!

Final Work Showcase 10 (Yellow and White Gold Crown Ring)

A ring fit for any princess.

Pave set black and white cubic zirconias are accentuated by fine engraving and millgraine to create a truly royal effect in this ring designed to look like a crown. 

The green stone is also an synthetic cubic zirconia but is perfectly complimented by the yellow and white gold. 

Work Stages (Rings before the Stones are Set)

It is sometimes interesting for my clients to see the process of making jewellery with all its many steps to completion. As the process continues one reaches the stage where the ring is completely constructed but the stones have not been set into the metal. In fine jewellery the stones are not glued but set. This means that parts of the metal is literally bent over the stone to hold it in place. The following photos will show you the rings before setting, which is followed by the ring completely set and final polished. 

18ct White Gold Ring with constructed basket claw settings prepared to receive Diamonds.

Final result. 

A Silver Ring prepared with a four claw box setting for an emerald cut Green Quartz.

Completed.

Platinum cluster setting ready to receive its Diamonds. Notice the large amount of claws prepared round the center part. These are to hold both the central stone and to serve as the back braces on the outside rim of stones.

The spectacular result. 

9ct Yellow Gold and Silver Ring with tube settings and pavé setting flat drilled sections. 

The pavé sections can be appreciated in comparison to the tube settings. 

Filed claw settings are rendered directly into the solid 18ct Gold for this ring. Four claws were then added to set the central stone in as well. 

The final result makes the process clearer to the untrained eye. 

Final Work Showcase 9 (Platinum Engagement Ring)

Yet a another beautiful variation of the classic Engagement Ring in a classic white metal known as platinum.

Graduated diamonds elegantly recede in claw settings from a central stone of 0.55 cts, Platinum allows for very dainty jewellery as the metal retains its strength even if it is worked to very thin thicknesses.

Work Stages (Progression of Digital Art Painting)

I love tiaras and drawing or even better making them, is my passion. Sometimes the inspiration takes me and before I know it I have doodled a concept design for a tiara. If the design inspires me further I may continue the picture but digital methods often lend themselves to experimentation.

This swan inspired tiara was begun in pencil and then taken further in Microsoft Paint (with a mouse). 

I printed out my previous digital doodle, drew on it some more with pen and then re-imported it into Microsoft Paint and continued further also adding more facial features. 

The earring and necklace design was then also roughly sketched on paper with the intent on copy and pasting it onto the developing art work. 

With the earring added the rest of the detail and facial features were to be taken to the max in digital only. 

Progression in the face and stones. 

This was the final result with the intent of adding a different necklace than the original design idea. 

The alternate necklace design ended up being a choker and with the addition of a fur detail finished my inspired painting in Microsoft Paint. 

Perhaps the original necklace concept may become part of a new digital painting....

Final Work Showcase 8 (Silver Eagle Cuff Links)

A set of Cuff Links made from solid silver to represent stylized eagles. These were made end of 2013 for a matric dance. The eagle and its 9 pinion feathers were a pre-requisite of the client and thus purposely included. 

The rough finish and oxidizing was intended to tone down the " bling factor" and imbue the cuff links with a more down toned sophistication.

The final product was much appreciated by the client.

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. 

Find me on Instagram, (dukeofswann)

I have recently joined Instagram. This medium assists greatly in sharing as much of my work and even some of my life's experiences. Join me on Instagram if you'd like almost daily updates on my drawings, jewellery and some of my other hobbies. 

Here is a taste of some of my Instagram quik pics. 

A quick sketch done in marker pens and ball point pen. 

Silver and pearl earrings finished just yesterday. 

One of my dance performances.

Hope to see you on Instagram, (dukeofswann) 

Final Work Showcase 6 (Spanish Dancer Digital Painting)

I think my full length Spanish Dancer is finally finished. It is made to be printed out on A1 without pixilation. 

This post serves as written permission for anyone to download or copying of this image but only if credit is given to the artist and creator of this blog for originating this work. Permission is given for download and copying but not for sale of those copies. 

Final Work Showcase 5 (Evenstar Pendant)

Hand crafted from solid silver and set with cubic zirconias, this pendant, inspired by the famous one from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy may also be made in white gold and diamonds. The quality and beauty surpasses any of the mass produced versions for sale on the internet (see for yourself). 

The pendant is approx 4cm in length and weighs about 13grams. 

For more info email the jeweller at danielgswan@hotmail.com. 

Final Work Showcase 4 (Barbie Doll Tiaras)

I have always loved crowns and tiaras. This passion started die to two major events that occurred in the 6th year of my life. I won a competition in my pre-school and part of the prize was to be crowned king of the pre-school. The cardboard crown became one of my favourite toys. This mind altering event was followed a few months later by the televised wedding of Princess Diana. Her scintillating tiara flashed so brightly that the sparkling seared itself into my mind forever. I had to be involved with that sparkle all my life, so I became a jeweller. Sadly, one hardly ever get the opportunity to make crowns and tiaras. In order to satiate my desire for surrounding myself with sparkly head jewellery, I began making them (from costume jewellery) for Barbie Dolls. It was actually this hobby, beginning at about age 12, that lead me to became a jeweller by trade. 

For today's post I thought I'd post on the only two "real" Barbie tiaras I've ever made. These two 1\6th scale (Barbie Doll Scale) tiaras are made from solid sterling silver and set with synthetic stones. I wish I had the ready cash to have made them in white gold and diamonds. 

Silver and Cubic Zirconia Barbie Doll Tiara.

Silver and Synthetic Sapphire and Cubic Zirconia Barbie Doll Tiara.

These tiaras are for sale or others could be designed from scratch. For more info, email me. 

danielgswan@hotmail.com

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 2 (Liz Loubser Exhibition Earrings)

I was invited to take part in this exhibit. I'd like to thank Liz Loubser and her team for this awesome opportunity and exposure. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Loubser-Designer-Jeweller/320522451411103?fref=ts

These were my entry named "Bubbles", after my mom's nickname, for obvious reasons. beads wear strung on copper wire to create the top and bottom components, then cast in solid silver. They were joined by loose hanging ball chain and a pin with butterfly catches added at the back of the top. They hang at approximately 6cm. 

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. 

Work Classification (Poetry)

Yes, I do write poetry but I do not consider it to be a phenomenon.

From the child in me to the child in you

I drove past your house

I did everyday

I asked my driver to stop

I wanted to play

He knocked on your door

Your parents weren't home

You never answered

And left me alone

I drove past your house

I did every day

I stopped my own car

Wondered what you would say

I sent you a message

You sent me one back

Your girlfriend was there

I returned to my track

I drove past your house

Perchance this time round

I looked down the driveway

Remembering old sounds

I thought and I cried

I miss my old friends

I hoped they were well

As it all had to end

I do however consider myself to be a good creative writer/storyteller. That Is where my "doll" blog comes in as a massive fairy tale that I love to write and share. 

Check it out for yourself.

http://daniel-s-world.blogspot.com/

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.