G.M. Bentley Designs, Fine Hand Engraving

This pure Palladium, Sapphire and Diamond Engagement-Wedding Band Suite was inspired by the crystal blue sky and ocean of New Zealand, and the purity and diversity of it’s Fern population, specifically the Silver Fern, featured prominently on this island nations flag. This couple fell in love there, and wanted to remember and celebrate their families island home, and their passion for life there. This labor of love is titled “Love Springs Eternal”. Like a fresh mountain spring, Sapphires cascade from a crack (saw kerf) on the inside of the band, flowing into the hand pierced, sculpted stone set gallery of the feature diamond, a 1.76 Ct. antique cushion cut diamond belonging to their family. Small fern fiddles set with Sapphire and Diamond Melee unferle in small clusters of six, as diamonds flow from the top of the band at it’s splitting point on either side, to fall off to the sides of the shank, gently disappearing into the main settings fern motif. The Silver Ferns engraved on the outside of the bands grow in a gentle curve from the split in the shank, in mirrored opposition to each other, continuing the gentle movement of the upper band’s bead set arms. Thirteen stones occupy each “arm” of the shank, sharing 7 openings on the inside of the ring. Drawing on oriental influence, small circular swirling clouds separate the fern motif, as small diamonds twinkle between them, like the stars so brilliant in the crisp New Zealand sky. This ring set was fabricated from 1 piece of 2.5 x 5.00mm flat wire 5 inches long. It holds a total of .68 ct. top grade Ceylon Sapphire, and .45 ct. VS -SI dia. melee on the arms. Surrounding the feature stone are Russian make melee ,VS-SI from Joseph A. Dia., their make playing beautifully off the antique cut of the main stone, a treat to work with, very lively, totaling. .62 ct. Forged, fabricated, hand engraved.

This is a self tensioning bar clamp style buckle, the keeper an integral part of the buckle’s hollow gallery, where the leather sits tight against the wearer. This type of buckle does not require holes in the leather, it prevents unsightly stretched or torn holes from detracting from the overall presentation. It is perfect for the more exotic and fragile types of leathers. This crest, carved in three dimensions is an interpretation of the clients design. I tried to render the “S” as floating in the foreground space, with cadeuseus-wound snakes supporting the scales in equilibrium (notice the screw heads at the connection points of the chain to the fulcrum bar) These, like the diamond set snakes eyes are 7/10ths of a millimeter in diameter. As the sun sets over a shimmering golden sea, the reflections of it’s ray’s play with the diminishing light of day.

The second photo shows the “Evening shadow’s cool embrace.” I tried to anticipate the play of light and form that might allow for the one engraving to capture both times of day.

  This “Portrait” pendant was commissioned by a gentle man for his native Hawaiian bride. The symbols chosen are a reflection of her friendly, welcoming nature, her love for family and island traditions, and the deep personal bond she shares with her husband. This piece was a joy to make, and says it all.