Alani contacted us at the beginning of November with a reset project in mind:

Hi Denise, Leslie, Brian and friends! Hope you are all well and nice and busy leading up to Christmas. I am currently researching the idea of resetting my engagement ring (1ct, in a simple solitaire setting) as I recently broke my wedding band and I'm not too sure if I want to stay with the traditional e ring / w band. I'm pretty hard on my rings and everything that I am drawn to with a lot of bling (pave, halos) isn’t really right for my lifestyle.  Anyway, I was thinking of resetting into a 3 stone, but then I'm not sure if that will be enough bling so I'm looking at a Graduated 5 stone using my current 1ct stone as the center.

Denise worked with Alani to come up with the best combination of diamond sizes to get the flowing, graduated look she was after and also worked on several different ideas for the setting. The final diamond specs were as follows:

• Center stone 1.05ct F SI1 is a GIA XXX round diamond.
• 2 x 0.423ct F SI1 Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows diamonds.
• 2  x 0.20ct F VS Brian Gavin Signature diamond melee.

Alani decided not to ship her center stone to us and searched to find a qualified local Australian jeweler to set it. We had all the measurements of the stone and were able to create the CAD with that information. We tweaked the center prongs to make sure that only the prongs showed from the top view, and that the trellis wires were not visible from the top. We sent the updated CAD, received approval and proceeded to caste the ring in platinum and then set the 4 side stones. We e-mailed Glamor Shots of the almost finished ring and then shipped it:

I picked up the package and the ring is beautiful! I can't wait until I get the center stone set…

A few days later we received this e-mail:

Hello Denise, Lesley, Brian and the team at BGD! I am please to let you know that the ring has been completed with the center stone being set today!! I am in love with the ring and it is exactly what I imagined it to be. It's amazing how you guys can take a drawing and bring it to life! The ring is just one ball of sparkle at the moment. It is really unbelievable! I find myself laughing every time I catch a glimpse of it because it is just so unreal. Thanks again, Alani.

Feast your eyes on the picture gallery below!!

© 2012, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

Brian Gavin recently launched the next generation of his popular Truth head with his beautiful “Truth” friction back stud earring settings. The settings are available in 18K White, 18K Yellow and 14K Rose Gold as well as in Platinum.**

Dear Lesley and Brian,

I got the earrings yesterday! They are so beautiful, I am extremely happy how they turn out. I absolutely adore the truth setting, it’s so delicate, unique and compliments the stones beauty. My worries regarding the clarity are blown away as I truly can’t see the difference to my IF ering. I might try and get the loupe though, as I am very curious to see those "birthmarks of the stones".

It was a pleasure to work with you, Lesley. I definitely have never experienced that great customer service here in Germany. Talking to Brian was a highlight in my diamond education, I felt I could trust his opinion and experience. Please, let him know that I am a very happy customer, he mentioned on the phone that that is very important for him to know:)

With many thanks and best wishes from Berlin, Ekaterina F

**The Truth Settings are eligible for our Diamond Stud Earring Sale which ends on February 10, 2012. Get $175 off the earring setting of your choice when you purchase  a pair of Brian Gavin Signature diamonds. No other discounts or offers apply.

© 2012, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

18K Rose Gold Rings and Earrings continue to be very popular here at Brian Gavin Diamonds. The Gallery below features the following 4 products that were shipped in the past few days:

1. Product ID 5437R18 18K Rose Gold Half Bezel Solitaire with a 0.45 ct Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows diamond
2. Product ID 5409R18 18K Rose Gold Hand Made Bezel Stud Earrings
3. Product ID 5542R18 18K Rose Gold Classic Truth Sleek Micro Pave with 18K White Gold Head and an additional Milgrain Finish set with a 1.35 ct Brian Gavin Quadex (and 6 surprise pink sapphires set inside the shank)
4. Product ID 5540R18 18K Rose Gold Tapered Tiffany Style Half Round with 18K White Gold 6 prong Tiffany basket set with a 0.78 ct Brian Gavin Signature H & A diamond and a surprise garnet set inside the shank

© 2011, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

Beth called in towards the middle of July with questions about having her approx. 2 carat radiant cut diamond recut. It was a very long shaped radiant and she did not like the stone. She wanted Brian to do his magic! Brian did his predictions and recommended that he recut it into a cushion cut and that although there would be significant weight loss to recut it into a cushion cut, the size loss would not be severe.  The result was fantastic!!

We created Beth’s ring using CAD and sent her the CAD files for approval. We then proceeded to cast the Split Prong Grace setting in 18K rose gold with F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature melee set into the gallery. We managed to ship it out to her in time for an important weekend. We received this heartfelt e-mail from her after she had received the ring:

Dear Lesley and Brian, It's never too late to realize a dream. Here I am, a grandmother, finally being granted a wish made when I was just five years old and my father and I would exclaim together over the starry gems in the jeweler's window. I just knew my fairy godmother would grant me just one. Well, thank you Lesley and Brian for spreading some of that magic my way. It was worth the wait. The best to you and yours, Beth

© 2011, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

Towards the end of January, Matt contacted us inquiring about having us create a custom platinum engagement ring influenced by the Tiffany Legacy design for his girlfriend, Shauna. We had worked with Shauna on two projects already and she insisted that Matt work with us for this important purchase. Matt is a Doctoral Candidate in Fine Art and was very clear and explicit about what they wanted in the ring.

They purchased a vintage cushion cut and had it shipped to us to set into the ring. We  then created the CAD image and e-mailed it out to Matt and after some slight adjustments we got the green light to proceed.

I sincerely thank you for your time and commitment. Both Shauna and I have great respect for your artistry and look forward with great anticipation to the finished ring!

Details were a Platinum Custom Setting, Ring Size 4.75 set w/ approx. 1.18 ctw F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature diamond melees and a 1.43 vintage cushion cut center stone. The result was spectacular! We shipped the ring out in March and upon receiving it Matt e-mailed in the following:

Dear Brian, Lesley, and Denise, On behalf of Shauna and myself, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude. The ring is utterly stunning and has set a new standard for both class and beauty. Yet, I feel that the ring's aesthetic is matched only by your professionalism and passion, and I thank you for your artistic ideas as well as for your embrace of my own. Through your efforts, mere metal and stone have been merged into a truly priceless symbol and heirloom. I guarantee that I will be working with BGD again in the future, and I will encourage my friends and family to do the same.

Shauna has yet to see any images of the ring, nor will she until sometime in the future. She is obviously aware of its creation, but has no idea about its final aesthetic. I imagined the piece with her tastes considered but much of it was my own artistic input. I intend to make a formal proposal thereby "unveiling" the ring and leaving as much to imagination and surprise as possible. I will ask Shauna to write with her response to the ring, though I can assure you that she will be enthusiastically ecstatic. Again, I thank you all. Cordially yours, Matt

Fast forward several months and we received the following e-mail a few days ago from Shauna after Matt had proposed mid-August:

Dear Lesley, I understand you've been awaiting news of my engagement to Matthew, and I just want to thank you for helping the man of my dreams create the ring of my dreams! It is more beautiful than I ever hoped or imagined, and it means so much having been given to me by the most wonderful, thoughtful, talented, loving and handsome man. He proposed at home, just the two of us in the apartment we share, in a sweetly intimate and heartfelt moment. I know you worked closely with Matt to ensure everything turned out  perfectly, and I can honestly say I've never seen a prettier engagement ring in my life. And I can hardly believe *I* get to wear  it! I couldn't be happier or more excited. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Some pictures of the happy couple and ring follow (though my pictures  do no justice to the delicacy and beauty of the ring in person). We  look forward to working with you again soon to design our wedding bands! Best regards, Shauna

© 2011, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

In the middle of May, we received the following e-mail from our customer Doris:

Hi, I was wondering if you are able to convert the Petals earrings into jackets. I have recently had my diamond studs reset with the milgrained bezel setting. I would love to be able to have a pair of flower jackets to go with them.  Please let me know if this is feasible? Thanks Doris

We responded that we were able to make the jackets for her but that we needed her bezel studs to be sent in so that we could make sure the jackets fitted perfectly.

We designed the jackets on CAD and then e-mailed her the CAD file for approval. The finished product, which featured Brian Gavin F/G VS Signature melee looked magnificent and Doris was thrilled.

Hi Jamie and Lesley, I got the earrings yesterday- they are simply exquisite. I can't wait to wear them, although I have to wait until August for our anniversary. My husband, who normally cares diddly squat about jewelry, commented last night that the earrings are beautiful. The melee diamonds sparkled like crazy and the craftsmanship was top notch.

I want to thank Brian for taking on the project. It is so exciting to know that I can commission a piece of jewelry with my own input and preference, and that the quality will not be compromised. This will not be the last time we do business with you. Now every time I look at a piece of jewelry, the wheels in my mind start spinning- how can I make it my own? The possibilities are endless.  In other words, this is very addicting! Thank you once again and I hope you enjoy the long weekend. Doris

The process and final product are featured below:

© 2011, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

After having had us create her beautiful Josette custom platinum and diamond setting in the first half of 2009, Deborah contacted us in October 2009 to begin discussions for a setting for her oval shaped 3.21 carat red spinel.  She wanted something very different in two tone yellow gold and platinum, featuring some Brian Gavin Signature diamond melee.  Brian and the team put their heads together and e-mailed off a first rendering, stating that it was just a starting point or that she should feel free to throw it out if it was not to her taste.

“I love it! I was totally stunned when I opened the CADS since it was such a different concept than what I was thinking but it's the perfect design for “Big Red”. The only catch is that I don't want it made until late winter/early spring.”

We saved the CADs and waited to hear from Deborah, all the while keeping “Big Red” safely locked up.

Almost a year passed and Deborah e-mailed in that she would be ready for us to create the ring in the spring of 2011. At the end of May she gave us the green light and we finalized the details.

“I like the two tone equally as well as all gold so I want Brian to make the final decision and it'll be a surprise for me — I'll be ecstatically happy either way.”  We decided to make it two tone to enhance the dramatic effect of the design.

Deborah was coming in to town and arranged to meet with Brian to pick up her ring. She was absolutely thrilled. When she returned to her computer she e-mailed in the following:

Lesley, I believe I was rather quiet about the ring when I picked it up because then, as now, I find there are no words adequate enough to describe it. Perfection, work of art, feast for the eyes…neither individually nor together is quite enough. The ring is above and beyond my expectations for a setting to showcase the center stone. The design is exquisite; its execution is sublime, and the quality is superb. I am thrilled that I had the chance to work with you and Brian again. It just blows my mind when I talk to Brian about a project and say “Well I sorta kinda want something like…but not really like that…oh, just put your creative genius to work and magic happens.Brian makes magic happen.” Please send my regards and thanks to the rest of the crew. Deborah

© 2011, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

Layla contacted us at the end of February interested in having us create a unique  18K White Gold Diamonds by the Yard Style Necklace for her. She had purchased a .66 round stone that had a chip in it and had Brian repair it. She then sent in her diamond band that had 7 small diamonds in it, along with a beautiful chain. We removed the diamonds from the band and set about creating the necklace for her. Each bezel was handmade and delicately milgrained. The result was spectacular and needless to say she was thrilled with it!

© 2011, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

Les called in to order our popular Classic Tiffany Style Knife Edge Setting which was to be set with the 2.42 carat round brilliant diamond he had purchased locally. Denise encouraged him to send the stone in so that we could set it here and make sure that the prong work was finished perfectly.

Hi Denise, All I can say is WOW!!! The diamond in the new Tiffany Knife Edge setting looks amazing. It's so beautiful! I know her eyes will just open wide when I give her the ring. Hopefully she will say, "Yes". And the glamour shots look great.  Now I'm all set for a big weekend in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village with dinner at Michel's Restaurant on Waikiki Beach where I will pop the question while the sun is setting. You guys have been so wonderful from beginning to the end of this process. You let me know what was going on every step of the way. I will touch base with you next week to let you know what happened. Tell Brian Gavin and Lesley Harris thank you so much! Much Aloha! Les

Yesterday he sent in the following e-mail along with some beautiful proposal shots:

Aloha Denise, We're back from our weekend stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Hawaii. Having dinner at Michel's at the Colony Surf with the sun setting off of Waikiki Beach made for a perfect setting to ask that important question…and she said, "YES"! The ring looked spectacular on her finger! The Tiffany Style Knife Edge setting made the diamond stand out and sparkle in the light. Cheryl couldn't take her eyes off of her ring. Thank you so much for helping to make our special day so perfect! Here are some pics. We will definitely recommend Brian Gavin Diamonds to all of our friends. Much Aloha, Les

© 2011, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

In December Wynne wrote in about a diamond recut and possible new setting:

Hi there! I have seen your fabulous recutting work on pricescope. Currently I have a non-certified 1.72 K I1 Round Brilliant stone. Rather than upgrade to a better cut, I thought I might see if there would be an option to have it recut? My original "upgrade/downgrade" plan was to get a smaller stone that was better cut so I do not mind losing some carat weight. I definitely see some type of light leakage if I look at the diamond in certain angles as you might be able to see from the attached picture. What do I need to do to have you assess the diamond? Do you have an approximate price/carat for the recut or is it something you need to see first? My current setting is in a platinum melee band..But I’m considering going with a shared prong for less metal and more bling! So just my current thoughts – not 100% on changing the setting yet.  Really looking forward to working with you guys!!

In order for Brian to give accurate feedback and projections, Wynne sent in her diamond ring and Brian unmounted the diamond. The starting weight was 1.746 and he predicted a finished weight of approx. 1.53 (an 87% retention). She gave Brian the go ahead and waited patiently as recuts take about 3 weeks to turn around. The actual finished weight was almost as predicted at 1.54 ct. The diamond's performance was greatly enhanced!

Wynne decided to have her “new” diamond set back into her original setting, which we refinished and set the diamond with claw prongs.

Lesley/Brian, I received the ring and it looks so fabulous!! I love how the setting was modified and the delicate prongs that the diamond is now in. My husband Eric is very pleased too! (happy wife happy life). lol. Thank you guys so much. Can't wait to actually buy brian gavin diamonds in the future (ahem 1 ctw bezel milgrain studs…just sayin'). Thank you thank you!! Wynne

The pre and post recut images, as well as the refinished ring are in the gallery below…

© 2011, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.