Anthony contacted us in October. He had been shopping at several internet companies and wanted to come in and meet with Brian and look at several Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows diamonds in the 0.80 – 1.00 carat range. After a couple of visits he selected a beautiful 0.918 H VS2 Brian Gavin Signature H & A. We then started discussing the setting and he wanted to know if we could custom make a diamond wedding set comprising a cathedral style fishtail pave setting with the Truth head and a matching fishtail pave band using our Brian Gavin Signature Melee. He e-mailed us the specs and some inspiration pictures and we set to work to create the CAD. Once he had approved the CAD, we cast the setting in 18K White Gold and set the F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature Melee. We set one "surprise" diamond and one "surprise" sapphire on the inside of the engagement ring shank. A few days after he had received the rings, his fiancee Erika e-mailed us this wonderful testimonial:

Hi Lesley,

This past Saturday on Dec 17th, Anthony asked me what I wanted to do during the day. I noticed that he was looking at his phone for the weather updated and said, "Oh good, it's sunny." I told him I wanted to go to the museum. He was opposed to that. So I thought of another idea-the Houston Zoo, which was one of our most fun dates ever since we've been dating. His reply was, "Actually I was thinking about that too." Sometimes I like to get all made up on the weekends. I curl my hair and/or wear my "weekend" outfits. As I was curling my hair, I heard Anthony shuffling in his study closet and I was a little suspicious that he was messing with the engagement ring. It was a beautiful and fun day at the zoo. I had the best time there. After a while, Anthony asked me what I wanted for dinner. I told him I wanted some hot pot, which would require us to go to Chinatown. He was not up for it. He asked me if I wanted Italian food. I was neutral about it at the time until I was starving a few hours later and didn't care where we were going. While he was driving, I asked him where we were going to eat. He played dumb and said, "I don't know where we are going?" I replied, "TELL ME!" He again said, "I don't know where we are going?" As he turned onto Ella Blvd., I knew right away where we were eating. He was taking me to our first date restaurant called Cavatore. As we walked into the restaurant, he asked the owner if we could sit by the live music. There was a live duet playing that night-a guitarist and singer who were a couple. Since it's around Christmas time, they sung Christmas songs. Throughout our delicious Italian dinner, I noticed that Anthony had his "thinking face" on. I asked him a few times if everything was okay. He just gave me a short, "yeah" reply each time.

After dinner was over, I had to run to the restroom before we left. I came back and Silent Night was being sung live. As I sat down, Anthony looked at me deeply into my eyes and said, "It's a silent night, isn't it?" I looked at him funny and said, "Yeah…sure is…" As he reached out for his glass of water, I then reached out for mine and noticed that the engagement ring was sitting right on top of an ice cube. I was shocked and said, "OH MY GOD!" I looked at him and he got down on his knees and proposed.  He made me cry. It was a very emotional moment. After I said yes to him I had to remind him that he had to put the ring on my finger (it was still in the glass after all this time). The live singer came up to us and told us that nobody has ever proposed while she was singing and congratulated us. Shortly after, the owner of the restaurant came up to us and congratulated us. He surprised us with some champagne on the house. We both told him we didn't think anyone noticed the proposal, but he claimed that everyone in the restaurant did. After dinner, we called it a night and left the restaurant as a newly engaged and very happy couple. =) Erika O.

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

VIDEO

A Gallery of Some of Brian Gavin's Jewelry Highlights…

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

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.

Our customer from Hong Kong, Brian, had purchased his magnificent platinum wedding set in February 2011. He contacted us again in July having purchased a magnificent 5.75 carat (10.3mm) square cushion cut aquamarine from Jeff White and wanted us to create a pendant as a wedding gift for his future wife.

 We are looking for a pendant with a back that allows the chain to slide through, and a front that is free of distractions.

He originally wanted the Barbara pendant with a bezel finish but aquamarine is a soft stone and if we bezeled it there was a 50/50 chance that we would either scratch it or it would break when heat for the bezel process was applied. We explained this to Brian and he wrote back:

We have been browsing through the website to look at more prong settings for ideas and came across the V-Prong Lever Backs<http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5373>. We like how smoothly the prongs and basket fit together. Is it possible to adapt the basket and prong design for our pendant?

After some discussion we decided to create the back basket similar to that of the v prong lever backs and set it with 4 split claw prongs. In addition, Brian wanted her to have the option to wear the pendant both straight and kite set. We explained that the design would not allow for it and so we created it to be kite set with an invisible tube like bail to allow the pendant to move on the chain.

We set about creating the wax model for the pendant, cast it in platinum and then very carefully set the magnificent aquamarine.

Hi Shandel, We picked up the pendant last night and it looks absolutely amazing. Please send our most sincere thanks to Jamie, Lesley, Brian, and everyone else involved in the process. Thanks, Brian

The process and results are in the gallery below.

© 2011, 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.

In June 2010 Shane contacted us to discuss his upcoming diamond engagement ring purchase. He was planning to propose to his girlfriend of 8 years and wanted to purchase a very high quality center stone and a magnificent setting. He selected the Platinum "Summer" 3 stone open basket setting with a 1.10 ct Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows diamond.

About a year later he contacted us to get started with the wedding bands. After much discussion he decided to order the Platinum Dream Half Eternity Band and a Palladium 6 mm Men's Three Textured Band. We set a "Surprise" Emerald and Diamond inside both bands and engraved a special note.

About 2 months before the wedding Shane contacted us for the wedding jewelry.  We created a magnificent Custom 18k White Gold Necklace set w/ 0.99 ctw F/G SI Brian Gavin Signature diamond melee for him and he added the 14k White Gold Leverback Huggies to his order.

The wedding was on Saturday, October 15 and we received this e-mail and the beautiful pictures below:

Hi Lesley,

Thanks for making stunning pieces of jewelry for my wife and I.

Your helpful advice helped us choose the perfect combination for our BGD wedding

© 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.

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.

Jen was a repeat customer of ours as she had purchased an original A Cut Above Princess cut from Brian in his previous company. She had worked closely with him to select her diamond and when it came time to order the wedding band she contacted us directly. In conversations about the wedding band and a reset for her diamond, Brian explained to her that the style of setting she was considering would not support a larger stone if she decided to upgrade later. With that in mind she decided to do her upgrade at the same time and selected a magnificent 1.046ct F VS2 Brian Gavin Signature Princess.

Jen worked closely with Jamie to iron out all the details of the settings. She was nervous about going the custom route and using platinum as she was concerned about It getting scratched, but decided to go for it in the end. She had several discussions with Brian to fine tune the details. We created a magnificent cathedral style setting with our famous Truth head and F/G VS Princess cut melee channel set half way around the shank and we named it the "Jen". The matching band also featured F/G VS Princess cut melee channel set half way around the shank. We set 2 surprise stones (a Signature diamond melee and a pink tourmaline) in the inside of the engagement ring and engraved the wedding date inside the band.

Jen’s Story…

As you know it was almost a year ago, March 2010 when I first contacted BGD and got hooked up with Jamie.  I have to say that Jamie is wonderful and patient.  If I was her I’d have given up on me and she never did.  We kept in contact pretty regularly.   I had an ACA princess that I wanted to reset.  I was never happy with the setting from the beginning and it just didn’t do the stone any justice.  I had looked at local stores but never found just what I wanted.  I was also never happy with the quality that I found.  When it came time that I really needed to start looking for a wedding band I just didn’t like how the store bands looked with my setting or my stone. I needed side stones on the setting and the stones in the bands I found couldn’t live up to the ACA.  I knew without a doubt the kind of band I wanted.  I just needed to decide what setting I wanted for my stone.   The initial plan was a reset.

I waited patiently for my dream setting to appear on the site. I contacted Jamie for more pictures of settings that I saw on the blog, the site and PS.  She was doll, always prompt to reply and send any photos she could dig up.  I almost went with two different settings over this time, but I could never commit because deep down I knew there was something that wasn’t quite right about each of them.  I was scared of the custom process.  It seemed like the unknown to me.  I like to see the finished product.  I’m a hand on type of person.  I like to touch, feel and try on!  So shopping for jewelry online, as opposed to simply drooling over it, is hard for me but at least I could examine every picture and hope to get a picture from every angle including a hand shot!  I kept returning to local stores trying things on that were similar in certain characteristics to some of your settings.  I tried every ring on that was in the case at Jared’s!  I wanted to be sure what I visibly liked looked good on my hand.  Finally I was sure that I truly knew what I wanted and I decided to go custom.

That process involved a few conversations with Brian.  These were both fun and anxious for me.  I have to admit that I felt like it was an honor to work directly with Brian.  I think previous to this process, I thought that Brian only talked to “special” customers.   Not that I had any idea what qualified as special!  What I have learned though is that every one of your customers is special!  Brian will take the time to talk to anyone.  He is incredibly patient even though I’m sure he would have liked to put me on mute every now and again!  Brian listened to what I liked and didn’t like and made some suggestions.  It was during this time that I asked about an upgrade in the future.  It was likely that my ideal ring wouldn’t support and upgrade later.  So . . . I decided to upgrade now!

I had the great opportunity to be able to trade my ACA with BGD.  We bought the ACA in Nov of 08.  I found WF, Brian and Lesley through Pricescope.  That process was quite the learning experience.  I remember getting my stone and panicking because I thought I could see color in my F colored diamond.  I had a conversation with Brian about it and I remember being in awe talking with the famous Brian Gavin.  I felt so honored and also a little bit like I was being troublesome!  I also remember the panic when I read Brian and Lesley were leaving WF.  They were the face of WF in my mind.  We bought the stone there because of their reputation.  I was so relieved to find out my ACA would be honored as trade at BGD.  I feel that this really shows how well Brian stands behind his stones and how he values previous customers. Brian and I talked about several stones and he suggested attributes that I should look for based on what I wanted and together we chose my upgrade stone.

The CADs were difficult for me because it’s hard to imagine the finished product.  I had looked at many CADs on PS and the associated finished product.  I was trying to train my eye to “see” the finished ring in the CAD.  Nothing could have prepared me for my finished rings.   They are amazing!  I received one glamour shot before the rings arrived.  As gorgeous as the photo was it was nothing compared to the rings!  My hands were shaking when I opened the box.  I stared at the contents in shock.  I had no words!  My vision was right there in my hands!  The rings were perfect.  The engagement ring was everything that I had wanted.  It had a slim cathedral profile with a top down view that didn’t necessarily appear as a cathedral and didn’t visibly shrink my stone.   I have looked at a LOT of jewelry in stores. . . I have NEVER seen such amazing little tiny princess stones.  They are stunning.   I looked at each one and each one is clean, sparkly and gorgeous!  I have to admit that I didn’t want to loupe them as I thought for sure I would find something in those little stones. With baited breath I looked through the loupe and they are fantastic amazing little pieces of sparkly bling!  I have never had a ring of such quality in my hands.   I was nervous that these wouldn’t turn out as I pictured them in my head.  I told Jamie the day I got the rings, that often times during my conversations with Brian, I would hang up the phone and wonder who made the decisions?  Was it me or was it Brian?  I’m kind of a control freak and sometimes I felt like Brian was making the decisions for me.  I’d be slightly uncomfortable about that in all honesty, but I allowed myself to trust Brian.  As it turns out, he didn’t make the decisions for me, he read my mind!!!  I will admit to owning a lot of jewelry, some average quality and some a bit better as I got lucky and smarter.  However, I’ve settled for what I could find and what I could afford, all the while knowing that it was ok, but not great.  Nothing quite lived up to my standards but I accepted the best I could find . . . until now.  I’ve found perfection and my life (and my bank account) will never be the same again!

I’m kind of a perfectionist with my jewelry and because of that the engagement ring is patiently waiting in the box with the wedding band.  My wedding is just 5 weeks away and I want the rings to be perfectly stunning on that day.  So as much as it kills me, I’m waiting to wear it until I can wear both at the same time.  People think I’m nuts, but the wait is worth it for me.  The rings are going to be little fireballs on my wedding day!  When my mom first saw them she joked that she couldn’t look directly at them, they are so sparkly!

Thanks to everyone at BGD.  I tell anyone who will listen all about your company.  I’m a customer for life now.  I consider Jamie a friend and have hooked up with her on Facebook so I won’t go through Jamie-withdrawal until my next purchase. . . speaking of that next purchase, I’m already forming a list.  Jen

The Story in Pictures….

© 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.