From a Sketch to 18k Gold: The Journey of an Interlocking 'JJ' Pendant

Designing for a Milestone

This June/July anniversary season, the team at Stark Jewelers was tasked with a unique challenge: creating a major milestone gift that was highly personal, luxurious, and technically complex. Our client’s wife’s initials are "JJ," and he wanted those letters seamlessly integrated into the very structure of the diamond setting.

We began with traditional hand-sketching. These sketches weren't just drawings; they were prototypes for a three-dimensional, interlocking architectural form.

A hand sketch and the concept wax for a 3 carats family heirloom diamond by Larry Stark.

The Architectural Double Gallery

We used the stunning 3-carat natural round brilliant diamond from the family heirloom of the client as the centerpiece. We designed a platinum 8-prong head based on the client’s request. Platinum provides the ultimate white-metal contrast to enhance the diamond's brilliance, and the 8 prongs provide superior security for a 3-carat stone.

The true bespoke element is the double gallery design. It is a custom-fabricated 18k yellow gold double gallery. This design is formed of precision-shaped wires that create the two interlocking 'JJ' letters, visible only upon close inspection or from the side.

Bench Craftsmanship: The Moment of Precision

Custom jewelry isn't made by a machine; it's sculpted by a master jeweler. Once the component pieces were cast and refined, our master goldsmith took the bench.

This is the critical stage where complexity meets precision. Every angle of the platinum head must be level with the complex geometry of the double gallery, ensuring the diamond is set perfectly straight and secure.

Create Your Own Legacy Piece Whether it’s a June/July anniversary or a new beginning, a custom-designed initial pendant is a legacy piece that will never be replicated. Contact Stark Jewelers today to begin the journey from a sketch to 18k gold.