At Liljefelt jewellery, creating unique pieces tailored to each customer's wishes and needs is part of our business model.
Therefore, I will explain in more detail how the jewellery is created and what considerations you can make.
First meeting
You contact me, and we arrange a time to meet. Before the meeting, it's a good idea to consider what kind of jewellery you desire and your budget. If it's a ring, it's beneficial to bring another ring so I can measure the size (see this post if you want to find your partner's ring size without them noticing). What will the jewellery be used for, and is there any special symbolism it should express? These are questions I will ask you. Additionally, you may have preferences for a specific type of stone. Let me know if you have a particular source of inspiration, for example, from nature or from one of my collection pieces, which we can use as a starting point.
Drawings
Depending on what we agree upon, in some cases I will develop a drawing which I will send to you along the way, and other times it will make sense to go directly to the wax work.
The first sketches are based on your wishes and are suggestions for how the jewellery might look. I will send you the hand-drawn sketch either via message or we can meet, depending on what we agree on.
Selection of gemstones
Before the wax work begins, I search for the desired gemstone (unless I already have it in stock). I visit my partners and view their selection of the specific gemstone. Here, I typically examine hundreds of stones, looking for colour, inclusions, cut, and polish to find the perfect stone for the task.
Sometimes it's not as easy as it sounds; recently, I was searching for a garnet in a deep red colour with a cushion cut, and even though I found the perfect reddish hue in one stone, the cut wasn't right. On the other hand, there was another stone with the correct size and cut, but the colour here was red-orange. Therefore, I took both stones with me to show my client and confirmed the colour, size, and cut with the two stones. The client was happy, and my partner then created the desired stone.
Wax work
Once we have agreed on a design starting point, I begin shaping the jewellery in wax.
First, I saw out a piece of wax with a margin, allowing space for shaping. The next step is to cut the wax piece to the correct ring size, if the jewellery is a ring. Here, I use a wax ring stick.
The next step is where the creative process truly begins. Here, I use a micro-motor to mill and make some fundamental shape choices for the jewellery's appearance. If there is to be a wave-like flow, now is when I prepare for this.
Next, I use hand tools (needle files, wax spatulas, etc.) to fine-tune and simultaneously clarify the design language in the wax.
The final wax processing before the jewellery is complete is to achieve surface, depth, and life in the shaping. Here, I use an alcohol lamp, where I heat the wax surface which melts, creating the desired effect. This part of the process is both crucial and magical at the same time.
Read more about my wax work here.
Design Approval
Once the jewellery is shaped in wax, we arrange a meeting either in person or I send a video where we talk on the phone. Here, you try on the jewellery (or see it), and we agree whether the jewellery is as desired or if detailed changes need to be made.
Casting, Renovation, and Stone Setting
The approved wax jewellery is sent to Holms Støberi in western Zealand, where the jewellery is cast in recycled gold. Afterwards, I polish and clean the jewellery in my workshop, bringing the piece to life. Then, it's off to Nørrebro, where the stone setter, Jimmi, beautifully sets the chosen gemstone. If you wish for engraving, this happens afterwards.
Collection of finished jewellery
Before collection, I polish and clean the jewellery and contact you to arrange a meeting.
If you wish to order a special piece of jewellery, you can contact me here.
Best regards, Michell