Just a few of our latest custom commissions...

This is one of our most recent custom pieces. A 14k rose gold engagement ring wedding band combination. The center stone is a 1.18ct cushion cut Sapphire with VS clarity and baby pink color. Surrounding the Sapphire on the halo and band are .59ctw of round cut accent Diamonds. The finished product was delicate and very feminine,  a ring many blushing brides would love to wear!

This Engagement ring was commissioned back in 2008. The couple sat down at dinner and drew out a quick sketch on a napkin that was reminiscent of a favorite pendant she owned. The idea was for the piece to be as smooth as possible with no way of catching it on anything (fabric, hair, paper etc). The Bride-to-be worked as an Archivist and handled many delicate and old documents. Recently they returned and we created a very delicate wedding band that shadows the Engagement ring. This pair is made of 14k white gold and the stone is a very lovely .29ct Moissanite.

We custom designed this Engagement ring in February. It is made of 18k yellow gold with a bead blasted finish. There are two round cut melee accent Diamonds and a 1.5ct oval cut Alexandrite that have been enveloped in hand carved petals and vines to create an organic and feminine style. The two images above are examples of the Alexandrite's ability to color change to a green color in daylight (on the left) and to a warm violet color in incandescent or indoor light (on the right).

This beauty got completed just before Christmas this past 2009 year. It is 18k white gold with a 3.03ct modified square emerald cut center Diamond, with 1.146ctw accent Diamonds. This sparkly piece was for the couple's wedding anniversary celebrating 25 years of love.

One of our latest Engagement rings for a customer was a delicate 18k white gold piece with a gem encrusted halo carrying 1.04ct cushion cut center Diamond with VS2 clarity and H color, accented with 31 round cut Diamonds weighing .23ctw.

We recently completed this 18k white gold wedding ring for a customer this fall. Moria, our Bench Jeweler, hand carved all of the ivy around the band. She then enveloped two, round cut Champagne Diamonds within the leaves along with a 1.22ct sparkling green oval cut Sapphire as the center stone.

We don't often work with lab grown gem stones, but they do have their own appeal, as one chemist showed us.   She was drawn not only to the properties and process of creating a lab grown corundum, but the added bonus of having a large, clean perfectly colored ruby in the end.  The engineering properties of a tension mount completed the perfect setting for her.

This uncommon 4.79ct hexagon cut Aquamarine is the centerpiece of a beautiful 14kw vintage style engagement ring that sparkles almost as much as the owners singing voice!  Two steps with bead set diamonds accentuate the angles in the stone, and the V prongs on the corners help protect this beauty.

This spin on a nature theme pendant incorporates a Mexican Jelly Opal as the body of the spider, and a garnet cabochon as the head.  The Opal we had donated to one of our favorite charities, "Grillin' for Food Gathers".   The gentleman who won the opal is also a favorite of ours, and returned to us to make this orb weaver and leaf pendant for his wife.

Now available, a customized George Sawyer 14k yellow, rose and white gold mokume gane band with rose gold rails and bezel set .39ct exotic Cinnamon Diamond.

Colored engagement rings are so personal and unique, as shown in this beautiful example of a 14kw swirl pattern band leading up to beautiful halo of bead set diamonds.  The center stone is a rare Merelani Mint Green 1.05ct radiant cushion cut Grossular Garnet.  To sum it up, it's beautiful.

I finally get to show off my own ring! This ring was my 30th birthday & 6 year anniversary gift from my family here at Abracadabra. This sparkling Portuguese cut 4.85ct Blue Topaz was a gift to me from a customer, which I accented with .80ctw of trillion cut side violet sapphires.   Moria did an amazing job of carving the ring, and accented the profile with two diamonds set in the side of the topaz, as well as two sparklers on the corners of the square shank.  She also suggested the flower style setting to protect the stone while accenting the cut.  It's all in the details!

This delicate 18k white gold Engagement ring is a clean and simplistic design. The Diamond is channel set and weighs .72ct and is seemingly floating in the arms of the band.

Two heirloom family rings were combined to grace the finger of a new generation.  A halo platinum engagement ring combines .68ctw of round bead set diamonds.

A pair of commitment bands with each of the ladies birthstones, an Alexandrite and a Ruby, bezel set in Michael Daniels Norwegian Waters Mokume Gane bands.   The saturation of the stones are a great contrast to the flowing wood grain pattern of the mokume.

A 2.66ct brilliant red sapphire picked for a custom 14kw gold slide pendant.

This modern 14ky ring has .64ctw of channel set side stones leading up to a 1.23ct Radiant cut diamond, with H color and VS2 clarity.

This 14k white gold antique Engagement ring, circa 1920's, presents a beautiful 2.17ct  Bar cut top and Emerald cut bottom Aquamarine with a beautful medium blue color and VS clarity. The Wedding band was designed and crafted here at Abracadabra to compliment the elegant ring.

This unique set is available for $2,900.

This vintage (circa 1960's) 14k white gold engagement ring and wedding band set have thirty-one VS G-I Diamonds weighing .62ctw clustered around a .42ct center Diamond with G-I color and SI-1 clarity. This beautiful piece has just arrived and is a work of sparkling art on any lucky owner's hand. The appraised value of this ring is $5,729 and is available now for $4,500!

Another stunning example from the Mitali Collection, this 2.18ct, SI natural yellow Diamond has phenomenal brilliance. Set in a 18kw and yellow ring with a modern floating head, and .98ctw of VS side stones.  Available for a limited time for $40,000.

This couple, Katya and Joe, came to us wanting something unique.  After sifting through several designs and ideas, they decided to use Joe's grandmother's old diamonds. These two took their time and collaborated extensively with Abracadabra to get the design they knew would express their individuality as a couple and that she would love all her life. Katya even brought in her parents to get their opinion, only to find out that her parents had purchased their wedding ring through Abracadabra 33 years ago when Abracadabra was in their infancy! The end result is a lovely 14k white gold band lined with 22 round cut diamonds, topped with a 18ky bezel and a 1.54ct yellow pear cut sapphire.  This ring garners attention everywhere it goes.

A beautiful anniversary gift, a 14k yellow gold bangle bracelet with a perfect Ceylon blue sapphire.

A modern take on the classic 3 stone ring, this bezel set 14k white gold Diamond ring commemorates years of friendship and a true lasting love.

A fellow Opal lover bought this opal from one of our opal dealers, Roger Pearman.   Randall designed a great setting for this pear cut Yowah Nut opal, which is adjustable with the channel set diamonds.

Our newest employee is an architectural student at U of M. .  A perfect pairing for a vibrant customer who came to us to make a pendant incorporating columns and strong architectural elements.   We used diamonds that the customer had from previous pieces of jewelry and created a one-of-a-kind piece that is uniquely hers.

Looking for a unique way to remember a trip instead of the usual souvenirs?   A creative husband designed this pendant for his wife after a wonderful trip they shared to Alaska.  18k yellow gold frames lapis with pyrite flecks, and eight bezel set diamonds patterned after the big dipper on Alaska's state flag.  What a great way to celebrate the trip!

   A customer with an interest in Norse mythology came to us for a distinct take on a Thor's Hammer pendant.   The two ravens perched on the knot work represent Odin's Ravens, Hugin (Thought) and Munin (Memory).  The tree above is the Norse World Tree, Yggdrasil, a great ash tree located at the center of the universe and joining the nine worlds of Norse cosmology.   Three rubies drip down from the roots of the tree, while a .77ct pear cut orange sapphire ties in the bottom, and a .13ct black diamond is flush set at the top of the bail.

This was my first custom ring design! A couple came in with a family diamond that had been passed down and wanted to have a celtic knot design around the diamond and two sparkling blue Ceylon Sapphires for accents. This was the completed piece!

One of the perks of this business is working with friends to create a piece they will love and cherish forever.  A friend I have known since high school asked for my help in designing her engagement ring.  Via email we exchanged sketches and ideas, incorporating organic movement and soft edges, a stunning 1.19ct family diamond, as well as an orange and blue sapphire on the side representing her and her fiance.  I love this ring, not only for it's sparkle and movement, but for being uniquely her.  

Palladium Ring with a .75ct, VS2, Hearts and Arrows cut center Diamond, and .11ctw bead set side Diamonds.   This engagement ring was developed after some great design input from the prospective finance, and they recently returned to us to create the matching shadow band..

Looking for a way to commemorate a 15 year anniversary with something memorable, this customer choose a special and rare stone.  A 23mm x 22mm slice of blue sapphire crystal.  ( Which is a perfect example of how a sapphire crystal grows.)  Randall, our head goldsmith, highlighted the growth patterns with the angular sides, which made the piece more graceful.

This coin and heart pendant was commissioned by our favorite neighbor and pilate's teacher.  Her grandmother kept this coin pinned inside her dress since she immigrated to the United States.   We fashioned it into a tabbed coin mounting to protect it, with 14k rose gold, and it hangs on a 14k sliding rose gold chain.   Note, how our jeweler Moria created the tabs heart shaped to accent the profile of the piece.  Check out our customer's studio,  Core Grace Pilate's  in downtown Ann Arbor.

This sparkler is a remake of a customers ring that she didn't want any longer.  An updated look, with a dazzling effect.

One of our favorite customers came to us in search of a special birthday present for her husband.  Ruby rings hold special meaning for him, so she choose .51ct round Ruby to bezel set in a Byzantine spiral ring.

This well matched couple brought us an F color, VS1 clarity, 1.01ct princess cut Diamond and pictures of oak leaves they admired.   She liked the idea of having both 14k rose and white gold together and a wider band.  An overlapping oak leaf pattern continues around the entirety of the band.

These customers will always hold a special place in my heart.   This couple came in to design a set of wedding rings based on their meeting and relationship.  They met in a local brew pub in Detroit, so they designed a vine motif with hop leafs and buds.  They were looking at blue star sapphires, and found that his mom had one that was given to her by his dad.  We had it re-cut into a round, and now it is gracing the fingers of a new generation.   After spending hours designing these rings, becoming friends with the couple and laughing so hard I would cry,  I could see where they found the compass inspiration.  These two soul mates are each others guiding compass through life.  

A gent brought us this oval blue sapphire, with wonderful cornflower blue color, and we set it into a custom sterling silver Celtic band.

An antique engagement ring was in need of a custom shadow band to fit snuggly up against it.   We created one in a similar style with the same pave diamonds and milgrain.

This bride to be was looking for a special combo that proved hard to find.   So we created an 18k white gold four prong setting to hold her VS, 1.20ct, Diamond, flanked on either side by two bezel set Diamonds.  

A great asymmetric design, this open channel set showcases one .68ct red Ruby and a round white Sapphire.

A new twist for an emerald cut Diamond.  A customer brought us an .89ct, VVS2 clarity, with a nautical rope theme idea; that we modified and created in lustrous 18k white gold.

Simple, yet exotic, a 18k white gold bezel surrounds an .93ct round cut Orange Sapphire.

A thoughtful bride to be had a special present in mind for her husband on their wedding day.  We made square sterling silver cuff links with Michael Daniels, 18k Red Star Mokume Gane bar inlay.  The same mokume that his wedding ring is made from.  A very sweet and sentimental gift!

An heirloom piece of agate that has a rare and unusual natural formation in the agate that looks like the silhouette of a tree and flowers.  Our customer chose a simple bezel/prong setting so as not to distract from the stone.

A 71.64  carat lapis circle is the center of this eye catcher.   Our customer had always wanted a large lapis pendant, and designed this in 14k yellow for her personal collection.

The design of this Platinum vintage style ring, was based on a ring that the customer's fiance admired. The color of the center stone, a Green 1.07ct Sapphire, was chosen to compliment his fiance's red hair and green eyes.  He decided to have the stone re-cut from a deep round, to a Portuguese cut.  His finance spent the first seven years of her life in Brazil, so not only is this cut extremely brilliant, but the Portuguese language is close to her heart.

The same couple recently returned to us for their wedding bands.  We made her two Platinum shadow bands with .20cts of pave diamonds and milgrain, which turn this already beautiful ring into a breathtaking heirloom piece.

This amazing Black Tahitian Pearl Necklace is with us for a limited time.   These lustrous pearls have green undertones, and are graduated from 10mm to 13.5mm in diameter, finished with a 14k white gold clasp with a diamond texture finish.   It is available for $4,400.

These brilliant 3.52ctw Violet Blue Sapphire Earrings have a beautiful extra detail; small round Diamonds set in the prongs of the finding to add even more sparkle to these dazzling stones.

These Matrix Opals called out to one of our customers to be made into earrings, with 14k yellow gold lever backs.   They look stunning on her with her blonde hair and blue eyes.

An energetic and eager to learn fellow came to us with this idea in mind; he was looking for a lot of sparkle, with petiteness, so it wouldn't over power his finance's delicate hands.  The end result was an amazingly brilliant 3.05ct Asscher cut, framed by .61ctw of trapezoid cut diamonds, set in 14k white gold, simple, sparkling, and sublime.

These 14ky gold bezel set, lever back sapphire earrings were created with the customer's stones to match her necklace, as well as their wedding set, featured below.

A great couple from Texas contacted us about creating a unique set of wedding rings.  We took a pair of  James Binnion 14k palladium white gold and sterling silver mokume gane bands, and squared the shanks.  Then we set a 1.31ct octagon cut Diamond, 2 violet blue sapphires, and a princess cut white sapphire, in 18k yellow gold bezels (which really set off the deep sapphire color).  The mokume was then etched to add texture and contrast.   A truly stunning and unique set of rings.  

This young gentleman came to us looking for a perfect medium blue Ceylon Sapphire. He chose this brilliant round cut, 1.16ct Ceylon blue sapphire from our collection, and then had it set in a 14k white gold custom setting of ours.

A newly engaged couple came in to look at engagement rings.   She mentioned that she was thinking of a colored center stone because she wanted to avoid conflict diamonds.  We introduced her to the beauty of  Canadian diamonds.  She picked a stunning .33ct center stone to be set in a 14k white gold head on a 14k rose gold antique style band.  We were able to customize this ring for her in time for her to show her family while visiting over the weekend!

This gentleman and his wife bought this stunning canary yellow diamond while on vacation.   We modified one of our diamond micro pave rings to fit the yellow diamond by adding 18k yellow gold side channels.  

This couple purchased a silver "Kiss" ring from us a few years ago as a promise ring, and then returned to us for their engagement! This sparkling 18k white gold ring has 3 sides of pave Diamonds, setting off the perfect Hearts and Arrows, Ideal Cut 1.04ct Diamond that this gentleman personally hand picked for his fiance.

This 18k white gold, 1.95ctw Diamond ring was a collaboration between a couple celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary.   The smaller diamond is from her original engagement ring.  We also recycled the yellow gold from her original engagement ring to create the new shadow band.  A beautiful merging of past and present.

This couple came to us for a custom wedding band to match her 14ky tension mount ring, as well as a very special mokume gane band for him.  The gent's ring was created by our head goldsmith, Randall Counts, and consists of 14ky gold rails, framing a sandblasted mokume gane band of 24k yellow gold and Platinum.

This couple commissioned a great pair of rings, that have the same metals, 18k white and 14k rose gold, matte and polished, with a similar diagonal movement.   The end result is a great matched pair of rings that still retain their own uniqueness.

This wedding set was designed for a favorite set of customers.  The asymmetrical 18k white gold engagement ring holds a bezel set, oval 1.28ct perfect red Ruby.  The wedding band is designed to interlock in the back, while creating a swooping arc in front. 

Our customer was ready to design a custom ring for his fiance to be.  He was looking for a great cut stone, and chose this beautiful 1.01ct Canadian, Ideal, Hearts & Arrows cut Diamond.  To make the ring uniquely hers, he wanted to accent the sides with her favorite color, and chose six channel set, round cut Green Diamonds.

This modern take on a three stone ring made for an exceptional engagement ring.  Our customer hand picked a great .26ct, VVS clarity, round diamond cut Ruby for the center, and two round white sapphires for the side stones.   The ring was custom carved and cast in 14k white gold, with a square shank.  Make sure to check back soon to see the matching wedding band that is currently being made!

This Custom made ring is a unique one all around!  The center stone is an oval Red Spinel with great fire.   The customer chose the ring design, as a take on a tension mount, but with a bridge underneath for sizing and stability.  Channel set diamonds run in two ribbons along the side of the center stone.  The ring is cast in an up and coming metal, Palladium.  Palladium has many of the same properties as Platinum. It's whiter, has increased wear resistance, is a pure 950 metal, and is more resistant to tarnish.  The romantic twist?  Palladium is named after the Greek Goddess Pallas.  She is the Goddess of Wisdom, the Arts, and the embodiment of Purity & Strength.   Who wouldn't want a bit of that in their ring?    

The center piece of this 18k white gold ring is a family heirloom Diamond.  It was re cut to enhance it's clarity.  Three round, flush set blue Sapphires grace each side.

The following is one of my favorite ring commissions this year!  An incredibly sweet, and very talented 8-year old girl came into the store with her new step-dad.   Since mom and dad exchanged rings to celebrate their new bond, she wanted to give her mother a ring to commemorate their new blended family.   I asked her what she would like the ring to look like.  She gave it some thought, and told me she would like the things that make her mom happy on it. Which was, their Newfoundland Dog," Lila", their Australian Sheppard, "Foster", their hamster, "Starry", and of course, the mountains!  She drew them out for me, and we had them laser engraved onto a 7mm wide stainless steel ring.   I'm sure mom will cherish this ring for years to come!

18k white gold custom made ring for stock, with a 1.0ct, pear cut, forest Green Sapphire, with a square shank.

This 14ky custom made ring has fun contains a 16.25ct Yowah Nut Opal with a beautiful display of ironstone. 

A sparkling 1940's vintage platinum engagement ring, with a 2.75ct center Diamond. It has SI2clarity, F-G color, and two side baguettes .13ctw, is available for sale, for $17,000. 

A perfectly matched pair of square shanked rings, custom designed in a brushed 14k yellow gold.   Her engagement ring contains a round .89ct Tsavorite Garnet, with four flush set round white sapphires on the side.  His ring contains two off center flush set Tsavorite Garnets.

A friend and former Abra jeweler recently returned to us in search of a flawless Diamond for a ring of his own design.   He chose this breathtaking 2.85ct, flawless, emerald cut Diamond, for the center piece of the platinum engagement ring, with .65ctw Diamond side stones, for one very lucky girl!

A favorite customer and friend came to us to design a family heirloom.  He wanted a mother's pendant that could be passed down through generations.  A friend of their family, who founded Zero Gravity Designs, www.zgdesignsinc.com, designed the Celtic knot work, which we created in 18k white gold.   The four round stones are representative of each family member, and the orange pear cut sapphire at the bottom represents the family center, the flame, that the tree grows & flourishes from.  

A loving wife commissioned us to create this money clip for her husband on their 14th wedding anniversary.   Their wedding band design, (which is fondly referred to by the Abra crew as the "CAL" knot,) incorporates the couple's initials, and a Celtic Tree of life. This unique stainless steel money clip, was customized with a 14k yellow gold bar, of the same design as their wedding rings.  A memorable anniversary gift indeed! 

18kw gold rings inspired by the painting by Gustav Klimt, "The Kiss".  The ring on the left has 24k yellow gold plating in the recesses to enhance the design.

This great couple commissioned a pair of swirl rings, which they took to their wedding in Machu Picchu, Peru! They were kind enough to send this along; "We had a wonderful time and wanted to share some photos with you and thank you again for the wonderful rings you created for us. People at Machu Picchu thought we purchased the rings in Peru because the spiral design is present in some ancient Peruvian art! They were surprised when we told them the rings came from Ann Arbor, MI! "

These two lovebirds spent some quality time with each other in the National Parks of Utah.  They shared some of their photos with us, which we turned into sketches, and finally, their wedding rings.  A great match.  The rings and the couple!

This 1.30ct Blue Zircon ring was crafted for Abra stock in 14k yellow gold, with .15ctw of round Champagne Diamonds accenting the side.

It is available for purchase for $1,920.

This stunning platinum piece is our own jeweler's personal engagement ring!   Moria created this vintage style piece using .60ct of pave diamonds, with a beautiful cushion cut, 1.75ct pale lemon yellow Sapphire as the centerpiece.

A University of Michigan student celebrated her recent graduation with the commission of this exciting ring.  It showcases one incredibly rare .60ct emerald cut, yellow and blue bi-color sapphire.  The side stones are flush set round Ceylon blue and yellow sapphires. Go Maize and Blue!

A 1.40ct bezel set orange sapphire, with red and yellow sapphire side stones, set in 14k white gold.   The gentleman who designed this ring knew his "bride to be" loved the rich colors of autumn and what they mean to her.   The yellow represents their friendship, and when they first met. The firey red, the passion that developed.  The yellow and red combined creates a beautiful amber, the glowing symbol of their ever lasting love for each other.

These unique cuff links were designed by a woman for her boyfriend who was graduating with his degree in geology. 

She was looking for something that reflected the passion he had for his work.  The stone is called "Chinese Writing Stone". This is a limestone matrix with andalusite crystals.

It received it's name because of the crystalline structures resembling the Chinese characters of the written language.

A very thoughtful gift.

A creative wife came in with an idea to surprise her husband for his birthday.  

His special talent was making handmade bamboo fishing poles by splicing six pieces of bamboo together. 

She brought us a piece of his bamboo which we inlaid into a yellow gold ring and protected with a slice of clear white sapphire

on top. The final result is this handsome bamboo hexagon, flanked on either side by two forest green sapphires. 

A beautiful wedding set, with a Green trillion cut Sapphire,

and a Green diamond cut Sapphire,  both set in white gold.

A Dragon and Phoenix Cuff Bracelet, with a bezel set,

oval cut Jade cabochon, was a touching gift for a loving mother and wife.  A beautiful piece sure to become a family heirloom.

This dazzling custom white gold and diamond necklace, 4.02ct T.W., was created for a special customer to wear to a wedding. The center stone is a 1.02ct pear cut diamond, flanked by eighty round diamonds. The necklace is made of several hinged pieces, to allow movement and drape across the neck line.

     

This sterling silver and enamel pendant was specially crafted for The Zoë Foundation.  The Zoë Foundation was established by Kim Hammonds who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35.  Kim established the foundation in 2004 to provide art programs for any cancer patient that must endure cancer treatment. The inspiration for the pendant came from a watercolor painting Kim's 3 year old daughter Zoë created. The Zoë Foundation is currently providing art programs for cancer patients at The University of Michigan Cancer Center, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Van Elslander Cancer Center. Pendants can be purchased through Abracadabra, and 100% of the proceeds are donated to The Zoë Foundation. For more information on the The Zoë Foundation please visit www.thezoefoundation.org

This one of a kind druzy has been crafted into a very unique piece, for an auction to raise funds for the Zoë foundation.  Not only is it a pendant, but also a pin, and a pearl enhancer.   When you mention the Zoë foundation, Abracadabra will donate 10% of your purchase to the foundation.   Please visit http://www.thezoefoundation.org/ to learn more.

This stunning 37.0ct Emerald Pendant was commissioned by a husband for a surprise birthday gift. The oval cut Emerald is prong set in 18k yellow gold with a leaf motif and an intricate vine patterned basket. 

Elegant and simple, this 14k rose gold pendant features a beautiful green tourmaline and a sparkling white druzy.  It was custom designed and crafted by our Master Goldsmith, Randall Counts for Abracadabra stock.   Available for $ 1,946

This unique pendant/pin was commissioned by a long time customer who designs jewelry inspired by his and his wife's adventures.  The front of the piece (shown above on the left) mimics the stained glass windows recently installed in their home.  The Cloisonné Enamel was done by artist Karen L. Cohen. 

Our master goldsmith, Randall Counts, engineered and fabricated the pendant/pin; the flush set diamonds, the cherry wood frame, and the duality of the piece as a pendant or a pin.  The back of the piece (shown above on the right) has an extra surprise.   To represent their trip to Kitty Hawk there is a cut out showing the silhouette of the Wright Brothers' first plane.