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.

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.

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.

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.

Esther contacted us several months ago. She had inherited her maternal grandmother’s ring and wanted to consult with Brian to see how she could modify the ring  to make it more modern without losing the basic original design. He kept the gallery the same, created a new wider shank and added a surprise  Brian Gavin Signature melee diamond on each end. The result exceeded Esther's expectations and she sent in the following e-mail:

My Maternal Grandmother, Mama Beulah, never wanted to be called Grandmother as it made her feel old. So she created a tradition that Grandmother’s in the family be called Mama with their first name after it.  She always wore this ring.  We believe it was her wedding ring.  It has been hidden away for many years closeted and unworn.  After my Nephew’s wedding was announced I decided to give it a face lift and bring it and my Grandmother’s presence forward.  This ring brings to mind all the memories, feelings, and positive associations with her.  She had delicate hands and fingers and beautiful long nails.  Her nails used to click the piano keys while she played. I felt the ring was simple but there was magnificence about it like her.  I was cautious not want to interfere with the integrity of antiquity during the remodeling process.

I took the ring to Brian Gavin who I call “Brian the Diamond Man.”  I was amazed at what a creative visionary he is. We put our images together all the while he was drawing in his mind ways to construct it.  I came in for fittings and consultations throughout the process.  Brian is a perfectionist.  The outcome is beautiful and perfect.  It is a juxtaposition of the old with the new.  Now my Grandmother is in view in my mind and her ring can make an exquisite statement for all to enjoy.   I shall pass it on to adorn someone else and to keep the memory of her alive.  Esther

Esther’s Ring is featured below…

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

About 2 months ago Teresa wrote in inquiring about having us reset her 1.94 carat rectangular radiant cut diamond into our Serendipity setting. She wanted the center stone to be bezel set similar to the design of the side marquise diamonds and Brian Gavin Signature melee and wanted to make sure to have it ready for her birthday on March 3.

She shipped in her diamond and waited patiently for about a month for us to create her magnificent new ring. She picked it up on March 1 and e-mailed us the following comments:

Hi Jamie, I was able to pick up the ring before work today.  What can I say – it's simply perfect and I am thrilled with the results! The details in the setting are amazing – even more beautiful than I imagined from the CAD rendering. For someone wanting a less traditional engagement setting, the Serendipity is ideal. After wearing it all day, I'm also pleased to find the narrow shank makes it super comfortable. Thank you so much for the photos, especially the "in process" shots. It's so interesting to see how my ring came to be! I really appreciate your help and responsiveness throughout the process and am so happy to own such a unique and gorgeous piece of jewelry! Thanks so much to all involved, Teresa.

Teresa’s Gallery of Pictures…

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

Ronda contacted us at the end of November. She had worked with us at our previous company where we had helped her with her diamond earring purchase. She was interested in sending her cushion cut diamond in to have it reset it into one of our solitaire settings.

I would really like to give you guys a try as I have seen nothing but Rave reviews on PS.  We have a whole Facebook group of gals that just love you guys!   I am a fan on FB of your website.

Ronda loved a similar setting we had made for a previous customer and wanted us to create a similar one for her 1.24 ct cushion cut diamond . The setting was a sleek cathedral style setting with a magnificent 4 prong head featuring a row of F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature Melee around the basket just under the girdle of the diamond. She had several discussions with Brian to ensure that we got the setting just right and she named it Eternal Grace. The result was breathtaking!

Thanks so much Lesley for all that you and Brian have done.   You have been very patient with me and I really appreciate it!  I will be back.   BTW, my husband took me to the hub, opened the box for me, and placed the ring on my finger.  He loves it too!  This is my first solitaire!

The story in pictures….

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