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.

© 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.

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.

The rings look awesome and I have already received many compliments at work. They are a lot heavier than I thought they would be. They look so delicate but the platinum makes them feel strong. Really really  really impressed with the crazy detail on the engagement ring.

I think I have some serious issues but the one thing that I loved the most is the Brian Gavin fridge magnet. Don't ask me why. Maybe it's because it's the one thing I get to keep for myself. I don't know.

I asked my girlfriend today if she wants to see a video demo and when she said yes I sent her a video where I opened up the box and using the provided gloves I took out a paper ring we put in there instead of the real thing. She wasn't impressed. You can see it here (as well as my love for the magnet)

Thank you very much for all of your help Denise. You and Brian have made it pretty painless. The service was excellent and I'm very glad I made the choice to work with you guys to create these rings. I'll send you pics of the ring on her finger once it's on there. It will hopefully be very soon. Stay tuned. Mike

We will feature the ring pictures and proposal as soon as Mike has proposed. Stay tuned!!!

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

Ben contacted us via e-mail at the beginning of July looking for a 0.75ct Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows diamond and a custom setting too. He had about a month before he was moving from California to Massachusetts and wanted to propose before he left.

Denise helped him to select a beautiful Brian Gavin Signature H & A diamond. He e-mailed inspiration pictures of the style he wanted us to create for him. It was a platinum custom solitaire with Brian Gavin Signature diamond melee accents and our popular Novela Head, with a pink diamond set inside the shank right under the head.  We e-mailed him the CAD rendering for approval and then proceeded to cast and finish up the ring.

Ben proposed and Gabi was thrilled with it. They sent the ring back for a complimentary resize and then we received this lovely e-mail along with the pictures below:

I remember we said we'd email you pictures of the proposal for your blog. On our first date, we went to take pictures in San Francisco since he is into photography and I had just gotten a camera. The last place we went to shoot that day was to a beach near the Golden Gate Bridge. I attached the picture of the first date (a silly picture and blurry because we didn't quite get the correct lighting that night) and the one where he proposed. I also attached a more normal one of us and a photo of the ring! Thank you for all your help. I'm so happy that Ben chose to order the ring from Brian Gavin… it's perfect! Gabi

© 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.

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.