How To Work With A Custom Jeweler

So. You're thinking about having something nice made for yourself or someone you love, eh? That's great! Getting a piece of custom made jewelry can be really exciting! It's also a great way add personal touches to your future heirloom! But where do you start? Today I want to break down the process of having a piece of jewelry made from start to finish and offer some tips! I hope this will guide will help you feel more confident and informed to make buying your special piece a joyful experience!

Before we start I thought it would be important to add that not all jewelers go about custom orders the same way. This is how we work here at Gem Steady, but some of these points may not always apply. It's best to ask what the policies are up front when you are working with someone else :)

1.Get it touch! The first thing you should do when you're thinking about having something made is to contact your jeweler (Gem Steady hopefully ;)! Don't be shy. This is our job. We WANT to help you design the perfect jewel. I've had people tell me time and time again that they 'didn't want to bother me' or were afraid to get in touch because they didn't know exactly what they wanted. Please don't ever be afraid to get in touch. You are never a bother, and we always look forward to helping you navigate your options to figure out a design that is just right for you!

You can never get started too early either! Our turn around times can vary depending on the time of year and specifics of your design. Since all of our custom pieces are hand fabricated from scratch we usually require 6-8weeks for production. Possibly longer if you are having specialty diamonds or gemstones sourced and custom faceted for your design. 

Moral of the story: Don't wait to start on your piece. The sooner you get started the better.

2. Provide examples. If you have photos of things that you like or styles that you attracted to, by all means, send them my way! Any details you can provide on shape, size, color, metal, etc are helpful. Also any information about lifestyle or how you (or the person you're buying for) plans on wearing this piece are helpful too. Will this be something you wear everyday? Only on special occasions? Are you hard on your hands? Tend to like things more on the dainty side? This is all good info to have. Spare no details! We understand that you may not be familiar with all the ins and outs of diamonds, gemstones, and metal types. We can walk you through the options that may be right for you.

3.Know your budget. Even if it's a ballpark range. Knowing your budget makes it SO much easier to design and source the materials that are right for you. If your budget changes that's totally ok. We can give you options in a wide range and explain the differences in each. It's always helpful to have an initial starting point though :)

4.Design and sourcing fees. To better serve our clients I often ask for a small fee before I start to design a piece of jewelry or source diamonds and gemstones on their behalf. This fee shows me that you are serious about moving forward with your piece once everything is in place, covers time spent working on your design, and gives me confidence when I ask my suppliers to source specialty stones. Please note that this fee is charged on a case by case basis. If we have worked together before or your design is pretty straight forward and does not require specialty sourcing it may not be required. This is something we can determine in our initial consultation. 

5. Getting started! Once we've nailed your design and you've given the OK it's time to make it official! I will write up an official invoice and description of the design being made along with payment information and balances. We generally take a 50% deposit to get started on your custom piece of jewelry with the remaining balance due upon completion of your piece. If you prefer to pay in full up front then rad! We can figure out the best method of payment for you when the time comes (credit card, PayPal, bank transfer, etc..) We even offer financing if you want to 'buy now and pay later'. Once you've sealed the deal with your deposit we will keep you updated periodically on the progress of your new piece. You may even catch a glimpse of it being made in our Instagram stories!

As an end note here I think it's important to add that if at any time during the design period you decide not to move forward with having your custom piece of jewelry made please let us know. We understand that things come up personally or financially and sometimes there's even just a change of heart. Rather than ghosting out, it is always appreciated when you let us know that you will no longer be moving forward. I promise no hard feelings. 

Thanks so much for joining me here today. I hope these tips and break down of the design process were helpful. If you have anything to add or have more questions please leave them in the comment section below! And if you're ready to start designing a custom ring of your very own then get in touch! CONTACT me here

If you enjoyed this post or know someone who might benefit from the information provided please click the links below to share on social media!

XO,

-Brittany C.

Ever Thought About Making Your Own Wedding Bands?

Getting married is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Committing yourself fully to the person you love is serious business, and planning your 'big day' can be a mammoth size task. 

Along with the venue, dresses, cake, and bajillions of other details to consider, there are two things that you will need to have in place that will last well beyond the ceremony. Yours and your partners wedding bands! 

We here at Gem Steady want to make sure that obtaining said rings is as fun and exciting as your new life together as husband and wife! These are the pieces of jewelry you will be wearing every. single. day. They should be as authentically you as possible. Right?

What better way to accomplish exactly this than by forging your undying love and affection in gold (or platinum...) yourself!??

We are so excited to now offer wedding band workshops in our San Francisco Bay Area studio! You and your partner are invited to design, fabricate, and finish each others rings together under our guidance. And I know what you're thinking and the answer is no. They won't look like shit. We totally got you! The Whittle Master himself is gonna guide you every step of the way to ensure your rings come out gorgeous! 

There are several ways you can make your rings. You can start from scratch with pure precious metal alloys, use stock wire, or even melt down your unworn family heirlooms to create rings that carry a legacy and story you can share and pass down for generations. 

24k gold casting grain and alloy mix to create 14k white gold.

We want to help you plan the ultimate pre-wedding adventure with your husband or wife-to-be. Our wedding band workshops are the perfect way to bond with your significant other while creating the symbols of devotion you'll be rocking for a lifetime.

Does all this sound totally awesome? Great! Keep reading... 

It all starts with an initial design consultation either in person, over the phone, or by email. Here we will nail down the design you want to create, and go over costs' and all other specifics. Once we've got it all sorted and a date set we'll acquire all needed tools and materials on your behalf. This way we'll be ready to rock n' roll once your workshop date has arrived!

Workshop prices start at $1,400 plus the cost of materials (gold, platinum, diamonds, etc..). Workshops can last as little as 4 or 5 hours or can span over the coarse of a few days depending on the specifics of your design and how fast you work. In most cases you and your babe will leave with your wedding bands at the end of the day. 

For couples coming to our wedding band workshop from out of town we even offer pre-wedding vacation planning! There are so many fun things to do and gorgeous sites to see in and around the Bay Area. Gem Steady can help you with everything including airport pickup, finding a killer hotel, and planning an itinerary of things to do after you're day of ring making.

We want the story behind your rings to be (almost) as significant as the story of your love for each other. Gem Steady Wedding Band Workshops are the ultimate date before 'I DO'.

For more information on booking a workshop click here or fill out the form below. I will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss planning the perfect pre-wedding adventure for you and your fiancé. 

OMG. I Can't Even Believe This.

Hello!

I know that title may share an uncanny resemblance to clickbate but I actually do have something pretty cool to tell you.

It's been 5 years since we started making jewelry!!

I can't be certain of the exact date but I know we got started somewhere in between my birthday (9/13) and our wedding anniversary (11/24) back in 2012. And as cliche as it sounds we couldn't have done it without a little help from our friends, family, and amazing clients that have supported us over these past five years.

My babe The Whittle Master and I had no prior experience in the jewelry biz before Gem Steady. It all just kinda started seemingly out of nowhere. I don't even know what kind of expectations we had going in, but I'm pretty pleased where time has lead us this far.

It's pretty insane looking back on where we started and how far we've come.

Holy shit.

This is the first ring I ever designed. 

I had had this big guy made by an artist in Atlanta. It's clear and smoky quartz in sterling silver and copper.

Well loved for a long time; she is now retired to the curio.

As you can see I was not going for subtlety there.

Lucky for me The Whittle Master took an interest in the art of making jewelry. Amongst the massive raw crystal hand boulders, one of the first rings he ever created was this..

My original wedding band.

I love this ring. I especially love that it's kind of both a symbol of the beginning of both our business AND our personal lives together. I rediscovered this band a few weeks ago. I'm thinking we should recreate it in yellow gold. What do you think? 

The days of massive raw crystals may be behind us, and my babe's skills are constantly evolving, but we will always appreciate where we came from. 

We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to everyone who has shown their support to us and to Gem Steady.

So if you've ever 'liked' one of our posts, shared Gem Steady with a friend, or purchased a custom piece of jewelry from us then we thank you. You are the reason we have been able to continue doing what we love.

I'll leave you with one of our most recent creations :)

To continue following our journey make sure you're following us on Instagram @gemsteady where we post all of our latest jewels.

So, until we meet again...

Thank you for 5 years!!!

xoxo-

Brittany & Bobby aka The Whittle Master

 

Watch Us Make This Big-Ass Black Diamond Ring

Hey. How's it going?

Before The Whittle Master and I started this jewelry business I had no idea about what actually went into creating a ring. It's some seriously crazy shit. Sometimes I'll stand and watch him work on something and be completely baffled by the amount of patience and skill making this stuff takes.

Recently we were blessed with the task of creating a really badass 5ct black diamond engagement ring, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to document the process from start to finish so that you guys can get a little insight on how it goes down around here.

I think it's pretty amazing to watch the raw materials transform. Check out the video below to experience the magic.

So..what do you think? Pretty cool, right?

Have a jewelry idea that you'd like to see us bring to life? Contact us to get started!

And if you enjoyed this post please share with you friends on social media. And be sure to follow us on Instagram @gemsteady

 We are a small business and your likes, follows, and feedback are greatly appreciated! Thanks for stopping by!!

xoxoxo,

Brittany C.

Mamma Didn't Raise No Fool(s Gold)

Hey Friends!

So glad you stopped by today. We've got lots of great things brewing up in the Gem Steady lab currently, and I'm excited to divulge a little bit today :)

My babe aka The Whittle Master and I started on this jewelry journey about four and a half years ago now... Neither of us really had any idea about the jewelry business, but for reasons that still baffle me today we both decided to just go for it and dive right in. Our style and The Whittle Master's skill level has been constant in evolution, and we are still on a mission to steadily improve and create better and more exciting pieces. We've always tried to maintain a certain energy and Gem Steady vibe around our brand, but we have yet to settle on any specific 'look' or style, instead opting to focus on one of a kind creations that allow us to try new things and see how far we can take it.

This being the case; we thought it would be great to expand our offerings to include a permanent collection (Can't wait to reveal this!!!! Will be ready for you guys very soon!!) as well as one or two limited edition collections of one of a kind pieces. Yippeee!

And if you haven't guessed what our first collection is by now from the main photo in this post, it's the Pyrite and Garnet pendent collection!!!

                      Click To Shop

Pyrite is not a gem you often see used in fine jewelry, but we just love using unusual and surprising stones.

                                     Click To Shop

Pyrite has all kinds of great properties, and is commonly used to protect it's wearer from bad vibes and enhance well-being. Pyrite is great at promoting positive thinking as well as manifestation!

                                   Click To Shop

Garnet is the birthstone of January and is known as a stone of vitality. Wear garnet to increase commitment, love, passion, and faith.

                                     Click To Shop

So what do you guys think of the new collection? Are you excited to see more? Click right here to shop the Pyrite and Garnet collection and stay tuned for more!!!

And if you enjoyed this post please share it with your friends on social media! And don't forget to follow @GemSteady on Instagram, Facebook, and all over the web!

Wanna Win Some FREE Gem Steady?

Hey friends!

Thanks for stopping by today.  

We were so stoked to celebrate the arrival of 2017, and are pumped about everything this year has in store! We have lots of great collections, expansions, and giveaways in the works for Gem Steady and we are so thrilled to have you along for the ride!

Right now we are preparing to host our most exciting giveaway to date. But before the contest begins we need your help with something....

The Whittle Master and I really need your help to reach our goal of 5,000 followers on Instagram... Will you help us get there?

I'll tell you how in just a moment, but before we get to that part I wanna tell you what's in it for you!

When we reach our goal of 5k we are going to give one lucky follower a custom made ring created especially for them!

As soon as we reach 5,000 followers on our Instagram page @gemsteady we will host a contest and let one lucky person choose from the black onyx gems pictured above! That's right, guys and gals! You could win a custom made pear, heart, or emerald cut ring designed and crafted just for you and your style mind!

Here's some ideas I was playing around with just for fun :)

Ok. Now that you're all pumped up and jazzin' for this giveaway; here's what you can do to help us reach 5,000 followers!!!......

1. Make sure you're following @gemsteady on Instagram.

2. Tag a few friends in your favorite photos on our page and ask them to follow @gemsteady, and make sure you turn on our IG notifications so you don't miss any contest updates!

3. Share this blog post with your friends on social media and tell them all about this giveaway!

4. Keep your eyes peeled for when we hit the 5k mark! That is when we will announce the giveaway!

We cannot wait to reach our goal of 5k on Instagram, and we cannot wait to make one lucky winner a totally customized ring designed and created by the Gem Steady team!

Thanks for reading and please share! share! share!

XOXO,

-Brittany C.

Who's Ready For Black Friday?!?!

It's hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us again. In just a few short days our Thanksgiving mashed potato binge-comas will be a thing of the past, and the official gift buying countdown will begin!

As some of you may remember; around this time last year we launched the THINK campaign to bring awareness to distracted driving. (If you don't know our story behind why we started this you can read about what happened here.) 

We haven't had our THINK bracelets available for several months, but recently I've had quite a few people ask if we were going to be bringing them back...well....wish GRANTED!

Starting this Friday at 12 a.m. I am restocking our entire collection with FREE SHIPPING through Cyber Monday. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages for the discount code!

THINK bracelets are great stocking stuffers with a really important message. Each bracelet will come packaged ready to gift along with a reminder card your loved one can display on their dash about the importance of putting distractions away and keeping your eyes on the road. Perfect for gently nudging your spouse or best friend who can't seem to put away their cell phone away while behind the wheel, or the teenagers in your life who seem to believe they're immortal. 

NOT SO FUN FACT: Texting and driving is now the #1 cause of death for teens.

5,000 Follower Giveaway!

Hey Friends!

How's it going today? I'd be willing to bet your day would increase in awesomeness by a million fold if you won a custom made Gem Steady ring totally for free. Am I right?

Well guess what?!

I will be giving away just that as soon as we reach our goal of 5,000 Instagram followers!

That's right! You read that correctly. Your eyes ARE NOT deceiving you!

The Whittle Master and I wanna give away a completely one of a kind ring made with the winners choice of one of the black onyx stones pictured above. All you have to do is help us grow our Instagram following! As soon as we reach our goal of 5,000 followers the giveaway will begin! 

The winner will have their choice of emerald cut, pear, or heart shape black onyx. The rest will be up to us! Yep. You got it! You pick your favorite shape and the rest of the design will be a total surprise! We love creating things that making you go oooohhhhhh, so whoever the recipient is can expect to get their socks knocked off! Also note that this contest is open to anyone WORLDWIDE!!!

Here are just a few ideas I've got floating around :)

This sounds amazing right? Here's how you can help us towards our goal....

1. Make sure you're following @gemsteady on Instagram.

2. Tag a few friends in your favorite photos on our page, and make sure you turn on our IG notifications so you don't miss any contest updates.

3. Share this blog post with your friends on social media and tell them all about this giveaway!

4. Keep your eyes peeled for when we hit the 5k mark! As of typing this we are just over 4400 so it shouldn't take long!

Thanks for checking in today! I hope you guys are as excited about this giveaway as we are! We can't wait to see you and lots of new faces on Instagram so please SHARE! SHARE! SHARE!

xoxoxo...

Brittany C.

Moonbeam Dream

Hello Friends.....

Thanks for checking in. The ring we're taking a look at today is one that we actually made a little while back, but we get so much interest in it I thought I'd go ahead and share it again. 

The lavender moonstone center stone is incredible in it's own right, but the full eternity band+pave detailing on the setting are what really make this ring a conversation starter.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE... this ring just as it is, but did you know we can customize all of our jewelry to be unique to you? You can switch up the center stone, add some colorful gems to the band, or even have this ring made in rich yellow gold for a completely different look.

CLICK HERE to get in touch about having something custom made just for you, or email me directly at brittanyc@gemsteady.com to get started.

Check out the quick video below to see this beauty in action!

Are you following Gem Steady on social media yet? Click the icons below and don't forget to add us on Snapchat to see all kinds of awesome behind the scenes action!

Like this post? Leave us a comment below and share it with your friends on Facebook :)

A Little Bundle Of Gem Steady Joy

Hey friends!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far. I wanted write a quick blog post today to tell you all about the Gem Steady baby gifts The Whittle Master whipped up this weekend. A good friend of ours has a little lady due next month, so I wanted to gift her something really special at her baby shower this past Saturday. 

We're pretty well versed when it comes to cocktail rings and wedding bands here in the Gem Steady laboratory, but my babe decided to step outside the box and try his hand at creating baby-size flatware which turned out so cute! And as if the sterling silver spoon wasn't enough, he surprised me by making a tiny little baby bracelet to match! Both pieces finished off with pink sapphire detailing (we'll engrave her name on the pieces as soon and mom and dad reveal what it is!).

Check out the video below to see how both pieces turned out!

Interested in having Gem Steady create a unique gift for yourself or loved one? CLICK HERE to contact us or email me directly at brittanyc@gemsteady.com and tell me a little bit about what you're looking for.

Did you enjoy this post? Leave us a comment below and tell us about the most unique baby shower gift you've seen. And don't forget to follow us on SnapChat and social media!

A Little Brown Can Brighten Your Day

Smoky quartz. A beautiful staple for everyones jewelry collection. This gem comes in a variety of shades from opaque deep espresso to transparent milk chocolate to suit your earth tone hue of choice.

The pear cut gem in the ring pictured above is a particular beautiful cognac colored specimen of smoky quartz. We have actually had this guy in our collection for some time now, and I had (many times) considered creating something with it to keep for myself. But alas.... a suitor came a calling...

We love it when our clients give us free-range on the design and setting of our custom pieces. This stone deserved to be kept front and center with no distractions, so we felt that the minimalist approach was the best way to go.

Aside from the obvious sparkle and beauty this gem embody's, smoky quartz is well regarded for it's powerful metaphysical properties. Smoky quartz is known as a stone of power, it helps to ground its user and ward off negative thoughts, bad moods, and resentments. It has been used to help manifest personal and business success, and is even thought to help with kicking the dirty dirty habit of smoking!

Sounds pretty rad, right? 

Check out the video below of me admiring this gorgeous ring in various settings before shipping her off to her new master. And if you're interested in having a piece of jewelry created for yourself click right here to send me an email and tell me a little bit about what you have in mind!

Thanks for joining us today! We hope you enjoy reading a little bit about our creations! Follow us on social media to see more of our custom jewels! And if you like this blog post please leave us a comment below and share it with all your friends!

xoxoxox....

Brittany C.

A Ring In His Honor

Amethyst has been highly esteemed throughout the ages. Although it is considered a semi-precious stone today it has, at times, been valued as much as diamonds. 

In the world of tradition and metaphysics amethyst has been known to enhance focus and meditation, increase intelligence, purify the aura and dissolve negative energy. Many today still highly regard amethyst for not only its obvious beauty but for the stones high vibration of love, peace, and passion. 

The ring in the photograph above was designed and created with all of those qualities in mind, and is now being worn by our client in memory of her late husband.

Cricket and Bill have an incredible love story, and it was a privilege to bring her vision to life in their honor. In 1999 Bill was injured in a work related accident and lived as a quadriplegic with his wife by his side until passing on in September of 2014. 

For Cricket every part of this ring represents Bill. The hand-engraved family crest on the band, the shape of the custom faceted amethyst to resemble Superman's symbol which was a favorite of Bills, and an engraved roman numeral III on the bottom of the band which was the couples favorite number.

It is our hope that this ring will bring joy and a lifetime of fond memories to Cricket of her husband and we thank her for entrusting us to craft this piece and bring her dream to life.

To read more about Bill and Cricket Boyd visit their website here.

Amethyst custom faceted by our friend Kurt Card from Foothills Gemstones.

To have a piece of jewelry custom made just for you or someone that you love click here or email brittanyc@gemsteady.com.

Gem Steady Summer Giveaway

We are so so so so so so....thrilled to finally be getting some warm weather around here. I don't think I've ever longed this hard for summer, but it seems its highly anticipated sunshine will at last be making an appearance soon enough.

We've got our vegetable garden planted, our outfits lined up, and we are giving away TWO of our most favorite summer accessories in preparation for the 80+ degree days to come!

Our Mala Prayer Bead necklaces can most certainly be worn year round, but we find them to be particularly great accessories on hot days when tanks and t-shirts dominate our daily wardrobe. Keep things casual with a simple wooded variety, or opt for one of our more glam gemstone Malas for a more classy or elegant look.

One of the best things about our Mala Prayer Bead necklaces are that they work double duty. Malas have been used for thousands of years as tools for meditation and prayer (stay tuned for a video on how I use mine at the end of this post). Not only are they a great addition to your jewelry box, but they can also help keep you grounded, guided, and up to date on your gratitude practice.

Wanna Win A Free Mala?

Follow the rules below to be entered in our drawing on 6/1 where I will choose TWO lucky winners.

1. Make sure you're following @gemsteady on Instagram. 

2. Repost your favorite pic of a Gem Steady jewel on Instagram from our page and tag @gemsteady with the hashtag #GemSteadySummer

3. Share this blog post on social media and tag three friends. 

Remember this contest is taking place on Instagram only! You must use the tags above or else I won't see your entry when it's time for the drawing. You can enter as many times as you want. The more photos you share with the #GemSteadySummer tag the greater your chances are for winning.

Good luck, guys! Looking forward to choosing TWO winners at random on 6/1! 

Not into taking chances? Shop our Mala collection now at by clicking here. Or have a Mala custom made just for you by clicking the contact button or above or here.

Have You Been Thinking?

Hey friends! Thanks for stopping by!

As a lot of you know my babe, The Whittle Master was in a pretty bad motorcycle accident back in late October of last year which inspired the THINK Campaign. (If you're just finding out about Gem Steady and have no idea what I'm talking about you can click here to read about what happened.) 

We were truly overwhelmed with the love and support everyone showed during that rough time, and feel optimistic that our story inspired lots of you guys to be more attentive behind the wheel.

The Whittle Master had (what we hope to be his last) surgery this past Friday to correct some of the damage done to his leg and pelvis in the crash. While we were waiting to be discharged from the hospital yesterday I happened to notice the THINK bracelet  on my wrist that has truly served as an excellent reminder for the past 6 months.

I literally feel naked without one on, and have been known to stop the car and turn around if I accidentally leave home without putting one on. 

That being said I thought it would a great time to re-launch the THINK campaign. 

I have decided to do a limited re-stock of our entire collection of THINK bracelets as remind us all once again that there is nothing more important than focusing on the road when you are behind the wheel. Now is the time to be accountable for yourself and motivate friends and loved ones to be safe behind the wheel and put all distractions away. Wear your THINK bracelet as a reminder that changing the radio station or sending that text message can wait.

Think bracelets are perfect for men and women alike and come in a wide variety from casual to classy for every occasion. Have a family member who recently celebrated their sweet 16? Gift them a THINK bracelet and share its meaning. Each THINK bracelet comes with reminder card that can carried in the wallet or placed on your car dash board to constantly encourage safe driving habits. 

Thanks for taking some time with me today. I hope you will support us in our efforts to make the roads a safer place for us all.

Please take a moment to share this post with your friend on social media so that our message can reach as many people as possible. Thank you in advance for the support.

XOXO,

Brittany and Bobby aka The Whittle Master

The Story In The Music Note

The jewel that I'm about to tell you about was really special for us to make...

A client brought us the gemstones pictured above. She shared that the stones were collected by her late son and that she would like a pendant made using them. Not set on any particular design, we spent a little time going over some options and exploring possibilities. It was not until a few days later that I received an email from her suggesting the treble clef. Her son was a musician, so it seemed like a fitting symbol to commemorate.

I wasn't sure how I was going to make it all work together, but I was up for the challenge.....

I played around with placement for a bit, before deciding on this arrangement. And then it was it was off to the chopping block! 

“MUSIC speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”

— Unknown

The Whittle Master got to work with his magic, bringing my sketch to life in sterling silver. It's so exciting to watch the process of reshaping raw materials into something completely different. I think it's fun for our clients when they get to see their jewels transform through all its stages as well.

We love letting you guys in on how things are made. Follow us on SnapChat (gemsteady, duh!) to join us behind the scenes!

I actually got to hand deliver this piece which was great. Seeing the joy that this pendant brought to our client really made my whole week. Designing and creating things that hold so much sentimental value is something that we take as an honor. 

Did you enjoy learning the story behind this pendant? We'd love to hear about your favorite family heirloom. Leave us a comment below.

Interested in having something custom made just for you?

Stay in the loop with all of our Gem Steady creations by following on social media. And don't forget to share with all your friends!

Wedding Bells Are Ringing...

Hey there, friends. 

Thanks for stopping by today. I was chatting with my good friend Maura from Cincy Weddings By Maura  earlier this week and was reminded of the styled photo shoot we did with her and a handful of other local vendors last year.

Incase you didn't already assume, I'll go ahead and let you know we were in charge of bejeweling the bride. 

The whole vibe that day was very boho chic and earthy which worked really well with the simple emerald cut smokey quartz necklace I styled on her.

The pearl mala necklace is something I brought kinda spur of the moment. I ended up being really stoked on how great it looked with her dress, and have since made a good handful of wedding malas for other badass brides.

Look how much fun she was having. Totally the mala.

Somehow I was nominated to be the reverend. I actually forgot this happened until just now when uploading all of these photos. I believe I was reading an excerpt from the picture book of land mammals when this was taken. So pleased it was captured on film.

How much do you love those earrings?

Thanks for visiting today. I hope you enjoyed some of the photos from this styled wedding photo-shoot. If you're interested in having Gem Steady create jewelry for your special day please get in touch! Trust me. Your bridesmaids will thank you when you gift them something they can keep wearing well after the wedding day.

 Don't forget to share this post on social media and tag all your freshly engaged friends ;) 

CREDITS

Cincy Weddings by Maura  | Coordinator

Queen City Vignette  | Design + Furniture

Ben Elsass Photography | Photographer

KellyAnn Tracy | Hair + Makeup

Imbibe  | Craft Cocktails

Lace Bridal Couture  | Wedding Dress

The Black Tux | Suit

Linger Florist  | Florist

Premier Park Events  | Venue

Gem Steady  | Jewelry

Happy Chicks Bakery  | Cake

Whitney + Kyle Ballentine | Models

Whittle Master Update & A Really Beautiful Engagement Ring

It's been a little while since I last posted here. Last time I came baring bad news and you guys completely blew us away with your love and support. The THINK CAMPAIGN was a huge success, and we are so grateful for everyone who helped share our message and purchased a bracelet. The Whittle Master is feeling MUCH better now and is thrilled to be back to work making beautiful stuff for you guys. We hope our story and message will continue to resonate, and that the THINK bracelets continue to serve as a reminder to be safe and focused behind the wheel.

The ring I'm about to tell you guys about was actually one of the many in progress right before The Whittle Masters accident, so we are thrilled it is now off the bench and onto it's new owners left hand-ring finger <3

Styled here with two Gem Steady diamond eternity bands. 

A few things make this ring extra special...

The center stone was custom faceted especially for this project by our good friend Kurt Card of Foothills Gemstones. We debated briefly on which type of gemstone to go with before deciding on white zircon (not to be confused with manmade cz), and are so pleased with how it came out. This gem sparkles like crazy. Zircons are some of the oldest used stones on the planet with the meaning of its name dating back to ancient Persian times. Zircon is said to have a intense energy encouraging self love and love for others. It is also used for grounding and speeding up sluggish chakra energy.

We also included two diamond baguettes on the band of the ring which are family heirlooms of the bride, making this a truly meaningful piece.

Watch the video below to see some behind the scenes shots of the making of this stunning ring. 

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this piece in the comments below. Love it? Then share it with your friends and follow Gem Steady on social media <3.

Please Think: Why We've Been M.I.A.

So...If you follow Gem Steady on social media you may have noticed we've been absent for almost two weeks now.

I'm writing this post to tell you why.

On Wednesday October 21st, 2015 my husband Bobby (or as most of you know him, The Whittle Master) and I finished eating dinner at home and took our dog on a walk before he decided to head back to our studio to finish making a few pieces of jewelry that were due later in the week. I walked him out as usual to give him a kiss goodbye. I watched him climb on his motorcycle and ride off into the night. 

About 20 or 30 minutes later my phone rang. It was a local number I didn't recognize.

I answered. 

The voice on the other end identified himself as Officer Joe from the police department... my heart instantly sank..

"What happened?!!!" I choked.

My intuition told me before his next sentence confirmed that there had been an accident. He continued on, giving details that were unimportant to me at the moment, finally cutting to the chase to let me know that my husband was still alive, conscious, and on his way to the hospital. 

I've never been so scared in my life.

That 7 second lag between "There's been an accident" and "He's alive" felt like an eternity.... I feel sick even recalling that moment right now. Thinking your significant other is dead for even a millisecond is gut wrenching. 

Thank God the hospital he was taken to is only a few miles from my house. My sweet sister rushed over to drive me. We actually passed the scene of the accident on our way. His beautiful (virtually brand new) Harley Davidson lay mangled on the road, illuminated by blue flashing lights just a couple of blocks from our home.  

The emergency room workers greeted me upon arrival. I wasn't allowed back to see him for over an hour, but was assured he was stable. Later we learned the extent of his injuries; a severely broken leg and broken pelvis..  As of the time of my writing this he's had around five different surgeries and procedures done, including various rods and screws inserted into his pelvis and femur, a skin graft, and an upcoming bone graft. He is expected to be in a wheelchair for the next several months.

By now you're probably wondering 'what happened?'

That's the real kicker. 

All of this was entirely avoidable. My husband was hit by a car because of a distracted driver who flat out ran a red light. Blew right through it going 35-40 MPH. 

We got lucky. My babe is damaged, but he will recover with time. A fate many others aren't so fortunate to see.

Each day in the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,153 people are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

I'm telling you guys all of this for a several reasons. One. To beg you to PLEASE focus on the road when you're behind the wheel. You're not only responsible for yourself and your passengers, but for everyone who shares the pavement with you. Please DO NOT text and drive, mess with the radio, or fix your mascara once you've taken the car out of park. Get directions and set your GPS before you begin your journey. Changing your music or chumming it up with your passengers is not as important as paying attention. 

The next reason I'm sharing all of this with you is because we need your support right now more than ever. Gem Steady is operated solely by the two of us. Since The Whittle Master will be out of commission for the next several weeks, I've created several pieces that I've been referring to as 'THINK Bracelets' in hopes to try and manage the flood of bills and expenses we've acquired as a result of his accident.

We love you guys. I honestly believe we've got the raddest clients and supporters anyone could ask for. Gem Steady isn't just our job, it's something that we truly love and believe in. Through our art we've met some of the kindest and most interesting people from all over the world. The people we create for are not just customers to us, but become our friends and our family. I mean it when I say the we couldn't do it without you. So, I ask you now. If you enjoy seeing our jewels in your social media feeds, or if we've created for you before, or even if you just want to support a nice couple in their time of need please consider helping us today by purchasing one or more THINK BRACELETS. 100% of the profits will go towards paying our mounting bills and keeping Gem Steady afloat during this difficult time. We are a very small business. The Whittle Master is literally my other half. I can't do it without him and we can't do it without all of you.

Aside from buying bracelets; Here are some other ways you can show your support.

-Pre-order a custom piece of jewelry for The Whittle Master to create when he's back at his bench

-Share this blog post with your friends on social media and encourage them to help.

-Make a tax deductible contribution. (email brittanyc@gemsteady.com for arrangements)

-ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS pay attention when you're driving!!! 

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I want to thank you in advance for supporting Gem Steady and for continuing to #THINKandDrive every time you get behind the wheel. 

Very sincerely,

Brittany and Bobby aka The Whittle Master

Octobers Birthstone. An Opal Party.

We are so glad to see fall is finally here. October was off to a rather warm start, but light jacket-cardigan season has decided to grace us. 

I love October. Great weather. My moms birthday (today actually. Woo!) The official start of the holiday season. And of course this months birthstone. Opal. 

Opal has undeniable appeal. It literally comes in every color imaginable. It's been found on Mars (whooooaaaa!!! Space Rock!), and has been worn for thousands of years by royals and commoners alike to provide protection, confidence, and to look straight up badass and stuff.

                                                             Ethiopian Welo Opal. 

Fun Fact: Over 80% of the worlds opals are mined in Australia.

The Virgin Rainbow Opal. Formed millions of years ago and is made up of fossilized dinosaur bones. Worth over $1million

Black Opals are one of the most expensive stones out there. Top quality specimens can fetch over $2k per carat.

 Mexican opals are one of my favorite varieties. They always remind me of dinosaur eggs!

Another fun fact: Did you know that opals were once believed to make the wearer invisible? Back in the day folks would wear opal jewelry into high risk environments to help them avoid altercations and trouble. Pretty neat huh?!

What's your favorite type of opal? Tell us in the comments below!

In the mood to have a flashy new piece of opal jewelry made? We can help! Hit the contact button in the menu above or click this link right here  and tell us a little bit about what you're looking for. We can help you source the perfect stone and design the jewel of your dreams!

Thanks so much for checking out todays blog post. If you enjoyed it please like, comment, share and follow us on social media!

Until next time!

xo-

Brittany C.