By Eli Kosinski
Eve J Alfillé Gallery and Studio is known for Eve’s inventive and person-oriented custom work! If you have an idea for a project, Eve will fulfill your vision with her vast collection of gems and design wisdom. But we don’t always start the process with only an idea: sometimes, jewelry that you no longer wear is the subject of a transformation. If you own precious materials, like a family heirloom or loose gemstones, Eve is able to tailor them to suit your tastes. Eve believes in honoring the original integrity of the materials while simultaneously breathing fresh life into them!
For example, a customer recently came to Eve with a gorgeous pink Opal set in a gold ring. As a ring, the opal wasn’t getting its moment to take center stage. So Eve thought of a few different options for this stone: she drew up ideas for it as a pendant, and then as a ring of her own design. But because this customer loves bracelets, they decided to set the stone in a sleek and delicate gold bracelet. Now, the pink opal is flanked by two pretty pie slice elements from Eve’s “Just Desserts” series. This decorative trio of opal and dessert pieces are attached to a simple gold band. Through collaborative processes like this one, you can highlight the beauty of the stones you own!
In that case, the opal was a singular element that sparked a bigger creation. We can also go in the other direction, and create multiple projects out of a single item or collection. For example, another customer arrived at the shop with her collection of gold and jade rings.
These jade ornaments are rich in both color and in emotional value: these deep-green cufflinks were purchased on a honeymoon. Now, they will be repurposed for another happy occasion. Eve is resetting two of the jade stones as cufflinks for the customer’s new son-in-law, as a wedding gift. Projects like these are a special way to preserve the sentimental meaning of the piece while updating its style or format. Eventually, another two of the rings might become a pair of earrings!
Similarly, customers might have a ring, or other piece of jewelry with multiple stones in it. If these stones are very tiny, a great way to update their appearance is to transform them into an eye-catching yet every-day type of necklace: a “Rain chain”. These types of chains are decorated with stones in simple bezels. Diamonds are classically a favorite choice for “Rain chains”, but other types of stones can also rock this modern look. Pictured here is a photo of a diamond “Rain chain”.
These are just a few examples of the reimagining that Eve does. If you think you have a stone or piece of jewelry that could use a trip to the gallery, please bring it and any ideas you have!
