The Latest: Custom Work and Using Your Family Gold

Meeting with clients for a custom project - two very unique commitment rings

While releasing a new collection twice a year is certainly a big part of what I do, many may not realize that a lot of my work at Talisman involves custom projects for clients. It’s really a treat to be able to hand-make meaningful pieces like commitment rings, commemorative pendants, or to work 1:1 to bring a client’s unique vision into reality. Below are a few recent custom projects I’ve been working on. These projects usually start with sculpting the piece in wax, which is shown to the client for approval before it’s cast in solid, recycled gold. Most often I work in recycled 14k gold, though on occasion I am asked to cast in 18k, or in sterling silver. Thanks to the handmade nature of my work, anything is possible!

Speaking of recycled gold, it’s also worth mentioning - I often get asked whether I can incorporate a client’s heirloom jewelry or old gold into new pieces. The short answer is YES - it is entirely possible to melt scrap gold that might be collecting dust at the back of your jewelry box, and to reuse it in a new Talisman piece. Be aware that it does take a bit of extra time, as it’s always safest to have the gold refined first, to eliminate any impurities or aging alloys that may cause brittleness or instability, and then re-alloy back into 14k or 18k grains for casting. Regardless, it can be done, and in fact I do it often! So if you have any family jewels sitting in your safety deposit box that you just know you’re not going to ever wear, why not give it new life by repurposing it into a piece you’ll love and cherish?

One link at a time…

These one-of-a-kind links are first sculpted in wax, but will soon become a chunky 18k gold toggle bracelet for a lucky client! Stay tuned for more on this baddie.

As always, thank you to my amazing clients who allow me to do what I love for work! Infinite gratitude for you <3

A custom initial pendant for a client, to be cast in recycled 14k gold

First it’s sculpted in wax

Then cast in solid, recycled gold

Then assembled/soldered, and put through a strenuous hand-finishing process to get to the final piece. I loved these little stud earrings so much that I decided to add them to the regular collection here.

Last-Minute Mother's Day Gift Guide

We’ve all been there… Mother’s Day creeps up on you, and all of a sudden you’re scrambling to find something for your mom/wife/sister/BFF. Never fear, we’ve got you covered! Peep below for my top picks of in-stock items that can ship to you in a matter of days (or available for local, same-day delivery if you’re in the Denver/Boulder area)…

The Portal Ring is an easy, classic and timeless take on a gold domed ring. Mom will love, trust.

One of my latest creations, the Freyja Necklace is ultra-dainty with a 2mm diamond, and perfect for the low-maintenance mom. Worn alone or layered with other necklaces, Freyja can be kept on 24/7 for a little extra sparkle.

Once again, low-maintenance and easy… a pair of Circle Studs are a no-brainer (PSA: order 2 for a matching pair, as they’re sold as singles)

One of my best-selling items, I love the amorphous, organic flow that the Sirius A Ring has. Dainty and affordable, it’s a certain winner as far as gift-giving goes.

A definite classic, the Rose Cut Diamond Necklace on a Paperclip Chain is simple yet unique, and ultra sparkly. Great for layering.

For more, see our full assortment of in-stock and made-to-order items here

A Wedding Band and More Recent Custom Work

While Talisman Fine Jewelry is mostly known as a seasonless collection of heirloom jewelry, some customers are surprised to learn that a large part of my business actually includes custom jewelry. Hence why I like to occasionally share my latest custom work with you all here.

Most recently, I had the honor or creating a custom 14k white gold men’s wedding band for Nick. Nick liked the subtle wabi-sabi nature of my work, but agreed that keeping the ring low-profile (in a literal sense) would be most comfortable for everyday wear. He also opted for a brushed finish, rather than the bright shine of a mirror polish. The result can be seen below. It is always such an honor to create commitment rings and wedding bands for customers… it’s something they’ll be wearing and cherishing for a lifetime, with so much meaning attached to it. As with all Talisman Fine Jewelry pieces, I imbue each creation with intention while crafting it, and take time to set the finished piece on my altar for blessing. This is especially important for commitment rings, for obvious reasons. So with Nick’s ring completed and a blessing for a happy, long-lasting union bestowed upon it, the ring is ready to ship out before his July nuptials! (Side note: custom jewelry can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to complete, depending on the piece, so always make sure you’ve allotted enough time when putting in your order, especially if you have a deadline to meet).

Custom 14k white gold wedding band for Nick

Another fun custom project that came across my desk was a request for two pendants to represent a client’s work. Specifically, Alexandra works in the women’s health field as a pelvic care practitioner, and she wanted to be able to wear her pendants daily to honor the important medicine that she performs. Working together on the design, we came up with the concept of the spiral - an ancient symbol found historically across many global cultures - as a representation of the womb and its creation process, and of the life cycle journey, including growth, death and rebirth, and a return always to the Great Mystery.

The spiral, a representation of creation, and the journey of life

The second pendant was a more literal request - a yoni. My version was ever-so-slightly abstracted, but generally pretty anatomically obvious, at Alexandra’s request. Not your typical custom order, but I was thrilled to oblige! Participating in destigmatizing the yoni in particular was something that excited me. Alexandra and I both felt, ‘To he** with people who are freaked out by the organ from which they came into the world!’ For this piece I also added a twisted bail detail, to subtly tie it in with its spiral counterpart. Check out the end result below.

Finished womb spiral and yoni pendants for Alexandra

If you’re looking to get engaged, need a commitment ring, or simply have an idea for a jewelry piece that you’d like to turn into a reality, I encourage you to reach out and start a conversation. The best way to contact me, as always, is email - vanessa@talismanfinejewelry.co

Special thanks to Nick and Maddi, as well as Alexandra, for trusting me with your special creations!