Protection

       At times we all can use a little protection.  I know many that carry something as a reminder that Creator looks over them as they walk through their day.  Myself, I was given a small angel that was embroidered by a close friend.  I believe she is an angel by her own right; but this post is not about me; rather, it is about someone else's angel.   

      A friend of mine approached me not too long ago and asked if I could build something for his beautiful wife, his Angel.  She means the world to him and he wanted to build something that symbolized his love for her.  A beautiful piece that would perhaps bring her protection.  He asked the piece to be built out of, and engraved upon 18karat white gold; along with the angel engraving, he also asked if their first initials could engraved intertwined on the back side. 

The Angel is rough drawn and sits next to a nickel to show size.

       I do love a good challenge, and this piece was quickly becoming the most intensive engraving job I will have completed to date!  We talked of her favorite colors and her favorite number as to include these ideas into her charm of protection.  

We decided on Montana Sapphires (being a personal favorite of mine). Side Note: I am picky of whom I go through to do business.  If I must outsource, the individuals must be a "mom and pops" operation with the right feel and humility.  After all, we are not just creating a one-of-a-kind 

Montana Sapphires come in an array of colors.

jewelry piece, but a piece that can be worn to feel the warmth of the love put forth in the creation of such a charm.  It is important to translate the love and intentions that began such a piece.  So I searched and searched for folks in the local area that cut sapphires themselves, and I found the couple I wanted in Missoula, Montana!  They were perfect!  She cut stones and he is an amazing jeweler, each with their own wonderful stories. 

All cut, soldered and polished; with sapphires set, I am ready to begin engraving the angel.

      
       After all of the cutting, soldering, dapping, drilling, drawing, polishing, and on and on, I was finally ready to begin the engraving.  Up to this point, I was okay with my nerves, but the engraving needed to be of such stature that I began feeling my nerves, and small question of doubt creeping in.  "Could I do this?  Can I engrave what could very well be the most prestigious job I have ever picked up?!"  

       With just a bit of sweat beading up on my forehead, 

I began my engraving process with almost nightly updates to my friend and client.  And before this becomes a complete novel, I spent over 75 hours with this angel.  To build something beginning from sticks of wire and sheets of metal, to put in my heart and soul, this is my life's passion.  Here she is, the Angel of Protection for one special Angel out there.  Gifted with sentiments of a loving husband to his beautiful Angel.  

One Angel engraved onto 18 karat white gold with Montana Sapphires surrounding her, including two yogo sapphires and six Rock Creek sapphires.

Their first initials intertwined