The Ring: Out-of-the-box Rings
When imagining an engagement ring, most people would probably think of a large diamond set on a gold band, perhaps with smaller diamonds on either side. But more commonly today, they are reflecting the individuality of each woman.
One might have silver flowers encircling her finger while another could have a creamy white pearl set in platinum. Take it a step further and imagine a couple designing their wedding rings together. And forget the two plain gold bands; what if the rings in some way contained a miniature representation of a place that was special to the couple, or a theme that was important in their lives?
In Northern Michigan, custom options are countless. A number of local jewelers, beaders and stone setters specializing in custom jewelry stand ready to work with couples to create unique, special engagement and wedding rings.
Just as the ring options are endless, so are price options. Depending on what materials or designs you want, a ring can run anywhere from $50 to more than $100,000. Most jewelers and beaders will work with you to find the perfect balance between price and design. Below are a few to get you started.
Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls
115 W. Main Street, Harbor Springs
(231) 526-7500
www.elizabethblair.com
Elizabeth Blair, owner and head designer of Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls, has worked with pearls as a wholesaler and designer since 1989. She has designed and created a number of engagement rings using Tahitian and South Sea pearls. The natural color pearls come from all over the world including Australia, Fiji, Japan, China, and the Philippines. With colors ranging from black to pink and white, a gentleman has many options to choose from when creating a unique ring for his fiancee.
As a designer, Blair focuses on creating a piece of jewelry that will match the client. “When working with a bride and groom to create an extremely specific piece of jewelry, I try to interpret and incorporate as many personal feelings and private symbols as possible,” she says. “We want to create meaningful detail that may only be known to the wearer. We want the piece to capture emotions and secrets, yet be an elegant, timeless interpretation. We also take inspiration from the client’s lifestyle, wardrobe or another piece of their jewelry to create a keepsake that is harmonious to the wearer in scale and palette.”
Blair emphasizes that the pearls she works with are extremely durable and strong enough to wear every day. They are set in 18 karat white or yellow gold or platinum and Blair is often asked to work with a nature theme such as a certain flower or ivy, which represents fidelity. In addition to her expertise in pearls, Blair employs an expert in precious stones and works with a master goldsmith.
Her last piece of advice for a couple looking for a unique ring: “They should definitely put thought into it so they’ll look back on the time of design together as a special moment where they captured in a ring what their emotions were right then. They’ll remember that they created the piece with all that special meaning in it. With a custom piece, you freeze a moment of time right on your finger. There is more magic in it than something right off the shelf.”
Bead and Company
325 E. Lake Street, Petoskey
(231) 347-7760
www.beadandcompany.com
Paul and Amanda Huffaker opened Bead and Company four years ago to offer a place for people to create and even make their own jewelry. Paul does jewelry repairs and Amanda designs pieces. She made Paul’s wedding ring with strands of silver. “It’s original. Not something you see every day,” Paul says. “There are so many different patterns and possibilities that she can work with. It is really up to the person’s creativity, what they’re looking to do with it. We can even teach them how to do it themselves, which is fun and more personalized.”
Customers can choose from a variety of beads and metals including Japanese and Czech seed beads, semiprecious stones, polymer clay and lampwork beads, sterling silver, copper, pewter and plated finishings. At the store or through workshops and home jewelry parties, customers can create jewelry to match their tastes or buy one-of-a-kind jewelry made by members of the Northern Michigan Bead Society.
The Huffakers are flexible. They will work on engagement rings, wedding rings, or jewelry for a wedding party. They can do simple or fancy. They will do all the work themselves, or coach their customers. They will even make new pieces out of old jewelry that may have a special meaning for the customer.
Bead and Company also offers wedding planning services. Amanda is ordained and will write up the service and plan the music, flowers, and reception.
Paul’s advice for a couple looking for a unique ring? “Have it come from the heart, something that will be a bond and a symbol. If it comes from heart, it will be genuine. It doesn’t matter if it becomes tarnished, because the ring is a symbol of the relationship; there will be bumps and bruises, but with some polish you can make it all good again, just like a relationship.”
Originals by Judith Ann Boyer
7235 Geary Road, Harbor Springs
(231) 526-0926
www.judithannboyer.com
Judith Boyer began wire wrapping and making jewelry with semiprecious stones five years ago as a hobby. Now she sells her pieces both to residents of Northern Michigan and to customers from all over the United States through her Web site. She even has a customer in Ireland. Boyer’s pieces are handmade with stones, freshwater pearls and crystals. “Everything is custom-made. Not one piece is the same,” she says. “I don’t invest in a large quantity of the same thing. Once you see a piece and purchase it, I can make something similar but nothing is the same.”
Although Boyer doesn’t visualize her pieces as engagement or wedding rings, she says her work is perfect for wedding party jewelry. “I do non-traditional pieces that would be fun gifts for bridesmaids — necklaces, bracelets, or earrings for the bridesmaids or the bride to wear,” she says.
Boyer is also flexible about the details. The bride can place the order or she can have a party with her bridesmaids so they can all have a say in designing the jewelry. Keeping in mind the color of their dresses, they would pick out the precious metals and stones and Boyer would put it together.
For brides considering this option, Boyer advises, “Start early. Come with your dress colors in mind. You can take a look at the beads and jewelry I have and we’ll come up with an idea of what you want. But its totally up to your taste. You know who your bridesmaids are.”
Boyer also takes old jewelry apart, perhaps from a grandmother, and makes bracelets or necklaces with family meaning. Boyer, like many custom jewelers and designers, creates pieces that can’t be found anywhere else.
Other local jewelers:
Baker Metal Works
310 Howard Street, Petoskey
(231) 348-7034
Arlington Jewelers
438 E. Lake Street, Petoskey
(231) 347-7200
Up North Bride Home » Spring & Summer 2010 Edition » The Ring: Out-of-the-box Rings