We met Brian and Lesley in 2009 and they created what can only be described as a “dream pair” of matching engagement and wedding bands – http://bit.ly/ydfDTp . Stephanie is originally from Texas and so when it came time this year to counter-balance those with a little “fun” stone that is the official gemstone of Texas, well, we knew there was only one couple that we could fully entrust with the job. I can only say that Brian and Lesley not only came up with an amazing looking ring but also one that it is also eminently comfortable and wearable on a daily basis just like their original engagement and wedding band duet. The only remaining question is what color gemstone is next? Ian

At the beginning of October Ian contacted us about creating a unique setting for a topaz he was considering purchasing. He had visited John Dyer’s website and was fascinated by the magnificent colored stones he had been cutting. He specifically wanted the topaz to be a deep “windex” blue. The first stone he liked was sold but he managed to secure a magnificent 22.01 carat cushion cut blue topaz.

Pretty basic ring design. Could be "no stones" modern and a little clunky to some nice side stones

We got to work on several sketches and e-mailed him out 4 different options (see below in gallery). He selected design #2. We then created the ring on CAD, e-mailed it to him for review and then cast the ring in platinum.  Ian had said that he would need it no later than February 8, but we wanted to make sure he had it in time for New Years Eve. The ring took many hours to clean and prepare for setting and we thankfully managed to ship it out on Friday evening – our last shipment of the year.

She loves the ring, fits perfectly! The pics were spectacular but also showed just how much work goes into these and that they don’t pop out completely done. Nice to get an appreciation for all of the craftsmanship. Happy Holidays! Ian

The process and magnificent Glamor Shots are chronicled below:

© 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.

Altan contacted us at the beginning of July via Live Chat. He was interested in discussing the creation of a diamond pendant for his wife using one of our beautiful new Brian Gavin Signature Quadex diamonds. Jamie worked with him to select a beautiful 0.98 carat Quadex which we set into a Platinum 4 Prong Basket Pendant with an attached 16" cable chain. We received the beautiful pictures below and thought our readers would appreciate seeing our new Brian Gavin Signature Quadex in action!! Enjoy!

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

Gwen contacted us wanting to purchase a pair of Brian Gavin Diamond Earring Jackets featuring our F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature melee. She had originally wanted to order a design that had been discontinued, but ended up purchasing our beautiful Hearts Jackets.

 Hi Jamie, I picked up the earring jackets on Friday and … I LOVE them! I like the design from the front, the diamonds are super sparkly, and I think the proportion of the melee to the center diamond is just perfect! I'm also glad that we went with the larger size because the center diamonds fit all the way down into the jackets. There is a little bit of space in between the center diamonds and the jackets, but it's actually less noticeable in person than in pictures, and will also give me some extra room if I ever want to upgrade my center diamonds. They also fit really nicely with my pearl studs, which was an unexpected bonus! I was definitely nervous picking them up because as you know, it's been a process, but I think these were the right choice for me given the options, and I am really happy with them. Thank you again so much for your help, and for being so responsive to all of my questions! I'm attaching some pics for you. Gwen

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

In February, a customer from the U.K. contacted us interested in purchasing a Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows diamond to create her “Blessing Engagement Ring”. She worked with Jamie and spoke with Brian to get past her concerns of purchasing a diamond with an SI2 clarity grading. Brian assured her that the diamond was clean and an excellent performer. She decided to have us set it into our popular Tapered Tiffany Style Half Round in 18K white gold. We shipped the finished ring via FedEx Priority International and we received the following fabulous e-mail and pictures from our VERY satisfied customer.

Dear Jamie, Brian and Lesley!

Thank you so much for creating our beautiful engagement ring! Though we prefer to think of it as a 'Blessing ring'. We did not have an engagement ring first time around because she was the one who did the proposing! Now we have been married for 12 years and are planning to have our marriage blessed this year. We decided we would love to have a diamond 'Blessing ring'. We are still totally in love with the ring and we still cannot stop looking at it, photographing it, cleaning it, gazing into it etc… Whenever it catches my eye (all the time) it still gives me a surge of happiness and satisfaction and I love it more every day. We've included lots of photos with this email! I love the way that, when it catches the light, lots of little flashes of colour twinkle on it – I especially love the blue, violet and indigo lights which twinkle on it all the time. The moment that I received it and first looked upon it I instantly saw the arrows. My first thoughts were how amazingly white it was, how clear and how much easier to see the arrows than I had expected. They weren't dark as they are in photographs – but scintillating silver against brilliant white. When the sun shines on it tiny lights are reflected all over the ceiling. Even in the dark it sparkles like crazy! I had expected to be able to see the inclusions when I got to know my ring, but no matter how hard I have tried, in even the brightest of sunlight, I cannot see even the tiniest inclusion. The diamond appears perfectly clear and flawless to my eyes, which I find amazing considering that it is an Si2. I would never have had the faith to buy this diamond from anyone other than Brian Gavin and I think it is a testament to his superior cutting talent. The diamond never stops flashing and sparkling. I can barely see the edges of it because it is so dimensional in its brilliance – it looks like a sparkling cloud or cushion – I can never really see the outside surface because of all the inside twinkles. I had expected the brilliance to lessen after the 'polish' of a new ring wore off but it looks even shinier and more brilliant today than ever. It has never dulled and looks brand new every day. It is much larger than I had expected. How can 1.11 carat look so big? We also adore the elegant simplicity and craftsmanship of the white gold tapered-tiffany setting. It is so cold and delicate and sturdy. I often take it off just to hold it and look upon it. I marvel at how delicate, and yet how striking it is. We love this ring. It is perfect. We think it one of a kind. It has brought us love and joy and will be a treasure to us forever. We hope to pass it on to the next generation one day. Thank you so much for your hard work and all your help in putting together a ring which we love so much. Kind regards, Bexim & Cheyne.

Below are some of the wonderful pictures that were e-mailed to us as well as some professional Brian Gavin Glamor Shots:

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

We are excited to introduce our competitively priced Brian Gavin Pre-set "Diamonds By The Yard" Bracelets and Necklaces in 14K white, rose, and yellow gold featuring F/G VS Brian Gavin "Select" diamonds and new designer clasps.

The "Pre-Set" Diamonds By The Yard 18" Necklace includes 10 diamonds of either 0.25 ctw or 0.50 ctw Brian Gavin "Select" F/G VS ideal cut diamonds and our stunning designer clasp.

The “Pre-Set” Diamonds By The Yard 7" Bracelet includes 5 diamonds of either 0.13 ctw or 0.25 ctw Brian Gavin "Select" F/G VS ideal cut diamonds and our stunning designer clasp.

To introduce our NEW Pre-set DBTY Necklaces and Bracelets, we are offering you a 10% savings off our regular prices, if you purchase before May 8th.  Limited quantities – buy now before they are all gone!

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

A former customer called us a little over 3 weeks before her mother’s birthday to find out if we were able to create a diamond pendant setting for the 30 carat emerald cut aquamarine her father, Richard, had purchased. We knew it was going to be a tight squeeze, but Brian was excited about working on such a different and creative project. The setting was created in 18K White Gold with a diamond bail using approximately 1.80 ctw F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature melee and marquise diamonds.

Lesley, please pass my thanks along to your entire team. It is a beautiful piece and I am certain that my wife will love it. I look forward to working with you again. Richard

The intricate process is illustrated in the pictures and video below….

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

At the beginning of January Michele wrote in explaining that she was unhappy with the setting that had been made for her by her local jeweler and wanted to know if we could either fix the setting or discuss creating a new setting for her to be completed by her 10^th anniversary which was February 10. She sent in pictures of her current ring and then we had her ship it in. The design of her ring did not lend itself to being fixed or modified so we created a magnificent new one for her.

This is going to be my "FOREVER" ring so I want to make sure I get exactly what I want.

Her asscher cut diamond was bezel set with hand milgraining, with a round diamond and a kite set princess cut bezel set on either side, two surprise amethysts in the gallery of the basket and finished with milgrain.  She also ordered a narrow spacer band to wear between her band and new engagement ring. While the setting was being created Michele was also selected to win the January prize on our Diamonds in your Facebook Sweepstakes on Facebook. She won a pair of titanium and diamond earring hoops which were shipped with the new rings.

Michele is based in Chicago, but the weather was causing chaos with FedEx shipments, so we shipped directly to Hawaii where she was going with her husband to celebrate their anniversary.

Jamie, I got the ring and the earrings! WOW!!! They are all so amazing!!!  I told hubby today that I already know what my next BGD project is!  LOL  I want a re-do of my eternity band with alternating diamonds and amethysts….but not for awhile…LOL You guys have a customer for life!  :-) Thank you again for EVERYTHING!  You all made this so easy and stress-free.  (The only stress was the weather – lol)  I truly think the world of you all!  The ring is amazing and has surpassed my expectations!

The picture gallery below tells the story….

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

In September Anne e-mailed us to start discussions about the new ring she was planning to have us create for her as a belated diamond wedding band. She had her choices narrowed down to either a 5-stone setting like the Nightingale, or a three stone, a solitaire with two pear side stones. She was concerned about finger coverage being that she had a larger than average ring size 10.5 and we provided her with pictures of the loose diamonds to reassure her. She decided to go with a version of the Nightingale in 18K yellow gold with a platinum gallery with a 1.28 ct Brian Gavin Signature H & A in the center and then 2 x 0.78 ct Signature BGD’s and lastly 2 x 0.55 ct on the ends.  She wanted 2 bezel set blue sapphires representing their 2 sons and a “surprise” pink sapphire inside the shank for their daughter. She sent in a sample ring to make sure that we got the ring size correct.  Once the creation of the ring was in process, Anne asked us to leave her out of any subsequent e-mails or phone calls and to work directly with her husband.

We contacted Anthony the day the ring was to ship and e-mailed him the Glamor Shots. He went to pick up the package the next morning and could not control himself not to call Anne with feedback!! Remember this was to be a Christmas Surprise!!!

So I had to call and give you ladies an update on the ring saga, because remember I haven't seen it, and I haven't looked at the pictures. And mind you he's telling me I'll get it for Christmas and I told him last night that he will have to find another place to sleep if he makes me wait!  So Anthony goes and picks it up today at FedEx. And the FedEx lady asked him what it was, and he told him a ring; and she says "that ain't no ring, it's too heavy – it's books" and encourages Anthony to open the box "just to make sure". Which he does, and finds another smaller Fed Ex box. And then he opens that box, and finds another FedEx box. (now I've seen the PS postings of the packaging so I'm not surprised) but the FedEx lady asks him if he's sure there's a ring and not a whole bunch of boxes. So he says no I'm sure, and opens the little box in the Fedex facility – and apparently the world stopped and everyone oohed and aahhed over it. And the guy with Anthony from his office said that anyone looking at the scene would have thought he was proposing to the FedEx lady. And the same lady asks if it's an engagement ring, and he says, no I'm married, and she replies "you sure must like her". LOL So he gets back to the office and is apparently enjoying showing a couple of the guys in the office, and one guy says Holy $–t is that real? about three times, and now apparently half of Atlanta has seen it but not me yet. And it's Sophie's fourth birthday today so who knows WHEN I'll get it. And I asked him what he thought, and he says "sweetie, it's unreal. It doesn't even look real it's so sparkly and huge" Whoop Whoop!  I just had to share because the only bad part of you guys being internet-based is you most of the time don't get to see the reactions of folks. Let me tell you, I'm already so excited I can hardly stand it! You'll probably know when I get it when you hear the scream in Texas all the way from Georgia!  Thanks to both of you for this amazing diamond buying experience. Anne

When Anthony gave her the ring that evening she was speechless! She called in the next day and just gushed about how beautiful and perfect the ring was – she also sent in some wonderful hand shots that are included in the gallery below. We all had so much fun with this project and know that Anne is just loving her new 5 stone ring!!!

© 2010, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.

A little over a year ago we were contacted by an Australian customer looking to have us create a one of a kind piece. He wanted to have us source perfectly matched/calibrated fancy vivid pink melee to make a platinum channel set band for his wife. Based on the ring size we calculated that we would need approx. 32- 35 x 0.02 ct melee.

The customer e-mailed us a 3D video to make sure that we understood what he wanted for the setting – in his words “let the diamonds be the stars". The metal should be there to support the diamonds (securely!) and nothing more.

We ordered in several shipments of melee from cutting factories in Europe who specialize in this inventory and Brian sorted through over 250 stones to come up with the final front runners. The stones were selected in a controlled lighting environment and compared one against the other, one at a time in the face on position. We then created the platinum setting and decided to line the area where the diamonds were to be set with rose gold to intensify the color of the melee further.

After almost 11 months of correspondence the magnificent band was shipped to the excited customer:

Finally! The ring was gleefully accepted after a period of stunned silence as the box was opened. Thank you for spending the time to understand the initial requirements and the quality of the finished ring is a credit to all involved. Special thanks to Lesley for answering my numerous questions and to Brian for having the enviable task of personally sourcing and sorting the pink diamonds.

Please enjoy the process in pictures below:

© 2010, Brian Gavin. All rights reserved. Including all photographs, written word and video, but not limited to unless noted.