Reticulated Recycled Gold Wedding Band Set- Made to Order Handmade
$2,118.75
About Specimental:
•Handmade in Vancouver, Canada since 2008
•I am a small-scale, independent jeweller who builds each bespoke piece by hand in my home studio; I am an actual artisan who creates hand-built one-of-a-kind pieces by myself
•If you choose to work with me, you and your project receive as much attention and communication as you desire
•I am available for project consultations via phone, email, Zoom, or text messaging: you let me know what works best for you
•I never ship my custom pieces until you have approved a high-resolution photo set and video of your jewelery; it won’t ship until you are 100% ecstatic with the result of my work
•Check out my most recent one-of-a-kind pieces on my Instagram, @specimentaldesign
•Check out my customer feedback going back to 2008 in my Etsy shop; I’ve been making clients happy with my work for years
In the ‘note to shop box’ during checkout, please provide me with the following information:
•Ring size (sizes over a 10 incur an additional cost- please ask before checking out):
•Texture on band:
•Phone number for delivery:
Questions about shipping, insurance, sizing, etc.? Please ask- I will be happy to help.
The rings in the photos are sold. This listing is for a custom-made set of two rings. They will be similar in appearance to the rings you see here. I always send a high-resolution photo set of completed work for client approval prior to shipping.
The rings in this listing are made of recycled 10K white gold.
Reticulation is a metalworking process which creates an unpredictable, dramatic, and deep texture. It is done by repeatedly heating the metal to the point where the surface becomes molten and begins to flow. Then, the metal is quickly cooled, and re-heated. This process can occur up to ten or more times before the desired effect is achieved.
The difference between my reticulated gold rings, and most other 'reticulated' gold rings, is I am actually reticulating the gold prior to forging it into a band. Most gold rings described as 'reticulated' are, in fact, castings made from an original of reticulated sterling silver. Gold is extremely difficult and messy to work with using reticulation. So, with my rings, you are seeing the first generation texture of the process, and not second generation castings.
I begin these ring by reticulating a thick strip of recycled gold. Once I am happy with the way the reticulation looked, I forge the strip into a band.
Please note that the seam area on this ring is apparent- because the texture is so deep and organic, there is no way to ensure a perfectly matched texture on both sides of the band. The seam, in my view, is a complimentary texture to that of the reticulated surface.
This ring has a very organic form, and the edges are undulating. I have taken care to sand and polish any rough areas away from these edges- the ring is very comfortable to wear, and the edges will not irritate your finger.
I am also able to create these rings in narrower or broader widths. The ring set you see here has a 7mm his band, and a 3mm hers band. Please note that, the narrower the band, the more textural the ring will become- a wider band creates a broad surface to heat, and it will not respond with as much resulting texture as a narrower band.
Patina:
The intense, prolonged heat of this process causes a heavy oxidization that builds up on the metal. Some of the patina has been brushed back on these two rings. The rings are sealed with several coats of archival wax. As any patina is a surface finish, it will wear down/burnish/change over time. How this chance occurs, and how quickly, depends upon many elements, such as body chemistry, wear and tear, whether the rings are removed prior to bathing, etc. Please expect that the patina will continue to alter when you wear the rings. I am happy to re-do the patina at any time, on the house (minus shipping charges both ways). If you are not comfortable with having the patina change over time, then please request that I brush the majority of it away prior to shipping your rings.
IMPORTANT: When purchasing from Specimental, please be aware of and in agreement with the Shop Policies- please read them here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Specimental?ref=seller-platform-mcnav#policies This section contains important information about production, shipping, sales taxes, and returns/exchanges. Have questions? Contact me through the shop, or at treloar [!at] telus.net
Returns & Exchanges
I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom and personalized orders
I am always open to hearing your design ideas. Please contact me through the shop, or at treloar@telus.net to discuss design possibilities.
Sizing details
If you are unsure of your ring size, the best way to be sized accurately is by visiting two commercial jewelers. Please ensure they size you using their thin sizing tools- not the wide band sizing tools, nor by having you try on rings from their display.
If any questions arise around being properly sized, I am always happy to help- contact me through the shop, or at treloar@telus.net
Gift wrapping and packaging
I don’t provide a gift wrapping service. Rings and earrings ship in jewelry boxes that are hot foil stamped with the Specimental logo.
If the person for whom you are purchasing the piece shares your address, please be aware of the following: International export law dictates that the detailed contents of packages, and their value, be clearly marked on the outside of the package. This means that if they see the package before you do, they can easily tell what they are being gifted with.
Need secrecy for this delivery? The very best option is to have your package held for you at your closest Fed Ex store- if you are unsure of its location, I'm happy to help.
What about repairs and upkeep of your new jewelry- how does Specimental provide ongoing customer support?
Our hands are busy objects, and any ring worn on a finger can become accidentally damaged. All rings need regular maintenance. Make sure you are buying your raw diamond ring from a jeweler with the knowledge and experience needed to ensure your stone stays put. Ask them about their warranty and their repair/upkeep policy. Look at how frequently they work with raw diamonds, and assess whether they have the technical experience to create a ring that will last your lifetime.
I stand behind each piece of jewellery I make. If something goes wrong with your ring, at any time- you slam your finger in a drawer and crush the band, you break a prong, you smash and crack your stone- you can count on me to support you with the repair.
Recycled Gold
My gold is all recycled- the metal plant I purchase it from has been in business for over 100 years. They smelt their metals to the highest environmental standards, to cause the least impact on the environment. They do not deal with newly mined metals, as these metals cause much greater destruction to the environment.
There is no visible difference between recycled metals and newly-mined metals. There is also no difference as far as the karat of the metals go- 18k recycled gold is exactly the same in constitution as 18k newly mined gold. The vast majority of my clients prefer their metals recycled, as environmental impact is of concern when choosing the perfect piece of jewelry.
Can Specimental reuse my old stones and recycle my gold?
I can use your heirloom stones in a new design. The stones must be pulled from their settings and checked for stability by a professional jeweler prior to shipping them to me. I cannot recycle your gold. I am not set up to smelt gold in the studio, so am not able to melt down your old gold pieces for you.
Rush Orders
My current production times are listed in my shop announcement. If you need something more quickly, please get in touch via the shop, or at treloar@telus.net
Depending upon my work and family schedule, I am happy to accommodate your rush orders. There is no additional charge for a rush order. However, please do get in touch prior to ordering to discuss your deadline with me.
Can I order a ring with a different stone, wider band, different texture, or in a different colour/karat of gold?
Yes! All of my pieces are completely hand fabricated in the studio by me, from raw materials. I am able to create any of my designs with any stone, in any composition. In short, you can have your ring absolutely any way you like it. Contact me through the shop, or via treloar@telus.net to get the discussion around your perfect piece of jewelry started.
Why buy your raw diamond ring from Specimental?
A raw diamond is an exceptionally difficult stone to set properly. Their unique shape means that a custom setting needs to be fabricated for each and every stone. The way in which the setting is closed around the diamond must be approached in a very particular fashion.
I began setting these stones into my rings in 2009, when only a small handful of jewelers were working with this type of stone. As the appeal of raw diamonds has exploded, countless numbers of jewelers are now incorporating them into their designs. I have set thousands of raw diamonds into my pieces since then. Please check out my client feedback, as a testament to my workmanship and design skills: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Specimental?ref=hdr_shop_menu#reviews