It’s a true privilege to create a piece that helps someone honor a loved one who has passed. I always consider it a special invitation to be included in someone’s story, and I don’t take it lightly. I had already repurposed several of this client’s heirloom pieces into the “With me Always” cuff and ring, so we wanted this new addition to blend seamlessly in with that set. The client dreamed of a necklace with an infinity symbol, to honor her ongoing love for her father, but with a Kristen Baird® twist.
Heirloom Materials
This client wanted to celebrate her father’s legacy by repurposing his wedding ring to create a timeless necklace. We had already used her mother’s wedding band in the cuff bracelet, so now both parents would be recognized.
We also planned to use petite heirloom diamonds from the client’s heart-shaped pendant necklace, five to represent the five members of my client’s family (her mom, dad, brother, sister, and herself). When it comes to tiny diamonds like these, people often think they’re not big or bold enough to reuse, but this is not true at all! One of my favorite things is coming up with ways to reimagine petite diamonds in jewelry. When done right, they can accent in a superb way.
Crafting Infinity
My number one goal for this piece (aside from it being beautiful, of course) was to incorporate 100% of the 14K yellow gold from her father’s ring, so that nothing would be left over at the end. With this goal in mind, I started rolling and flattening out the entire band. This step is done at extremely high heat, and the metal is nearly all molten together. I need to get my face very close to the metal so I can see what’s happening and hear the sounds of the torch. Sometimes my face gets so hot it turns red. We call this “torch tan!”
Using my signature reticulation method, I melted, rolled, and formed the infinity shape little by little. True to the Kristen Baird® style, I gave the infinity spiral a flowing, waving texture all around. When I had finished forming the shape, I still had a small bit of metal leftover, so I went back in and fused it into the rippling surface of the spiral, creating a little extra thickness.
Tiny Details
I placed the prong-set diamonds into the fold on one side of the infinity shape for asymmetrical balance. The laser welder was essential for making sure those micro-settings were perfectly placed.
This client and I spent a ton of time focusing on how this pendant would be connected to the chain, further proof that I really do manage to obsess over every detail. She originally imagined this as a piece that would slide along the chain, but it didn’t move like we needed it to and kept getting tangled up in the chain. My typical connection style, while beautiful, wasn’t the right fit aesthetically for this design either. So, we instead opted for a double jump-ring connection that was more streamlined and wouldn’t detract from the flow of the infinity spiral. We did this whole process by sending videos back and forth to each other at length until we made our decision. A true collaboration!
We opted for a thick and comfortable Sterling Silver rolo chain to complete the piece. The two-toned look helps the necklace pair perfectly with the client’s existing two-toned cuff. Plus, if she ever decided to go full 14K gold, it can always be swapped out.
Building a Collection
I love how this piece suits my client. It’s the perfect length, the perfect style, and the perfect example of how to grow a collection over time. I love how all her jewelry is more than just beautiful; it’s sentimental and meaningful. She’s already talking about a pair of two-toned earrings to add to the set. Plus, the remaining diamonds from the pendant may be used for a very special gift.
Stay tuned…
