Live, Love, Laugh

by Rena Wells
(Reno, Nevada)

This pendant was once a ring!

A customer brought me her father's ring. The ring had been a 25th wedding anniversary present which he had worn for forty plus years.

It was falling apart when he gave it her. My customer wanted me to make a pendant for her.

First the ring shank was separated from the stone's setting and cut into two pieces, flattened and soldered to two different pieces of silver.

The ruby stone was removed from the setting, the old bezel was filed down, a new bezel was shaped and soldered to the original setting.

The refurbished setting was soldered to a third piece of silver.

Sterling wire shapes were hammered and soldered to the design.

The ruby gemstone was put back in the setting upside down to expose the facets.

Gold filled wire was wrapped around portions of the silver wire for additional accent.

The finishing touch, was to add the charm, which I couldn't resist since my customer signs all her emails "Live, Love, Laugh".

The best part. . . my customer. . . she couldn't believe her eyes.

She had given me free artisan license to create this piece. She had no idea what the finished pendant would look like.

I was a bit nervous at first because she didn't say anything for several seconds which felt like an eternity.

When our eyes met I was surprise to see tears of joy, a big smile - and I received the best hug ever.

Rena Wells
2 DeZine Art
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