The Touch Of Love: One-n-Only Fingerprint Rings

1st Picture: Metal Clay CaptureTechnique

2nd Picture: Hand Engraved Technique

3rd Picture: Digital Machine Engrave Technique

"Why would you ever put a fingerprint on your wedding rings?!" my cousin brother asked with doubtful eyes twinkling..... How should I make him understand about this very important issue - a unique wood grain resemble human texture means? (especially to fellow ladies?) 

In terms of sentimental value - a unique and meaningful piece of jewellery is always a huge preference. A genetic generated barcode from our loves one that is possible own by ME exclusively....  unexplainable sensuality feel... not to mention the beauty of each unique fingerprint pattern and the touch of  texture on your wedding ring.

We have been researching this particular technique for months. The crucial part is to capture each individual fingerprint as natural as possible. Meaning the actual dimension and the actual texture must is our 1 st consideration. Then the second important point is the ring quality in term of finishing (i.e. fingerprint texture will be enhance more by mirror finishing - and to get a mirror effect the metal itself has to be strong enough) and the ring surface structure must be smooth  after the fingerprint engraving. (we do not want dented surface that produce from metal clay technique)

There are a few ways to produce it e.g. place your fingerprint mark by physically stamp on a metal clay, hand engrave or machine digital engrave. Below are comparison based on the outcome of fingerprint capture and the metal finishing quality.

1st Picture: 

Metal Clay Technique is quite simple to produce which capture exact fingerprint. Due to the limitation of material hardness, this technique can't produce good mirror finishing. I will say not even moderate quality polish/mirror finishing. This is why you will never have the "expensive" jewellery look but a street jewellery effect.

2nd Picture: 

Hand Engraved Technique create the fingerprint texture on ring by using specific craving tools.  This is a time consuming and highly skill needed job but the outcome is quite organic that does show only 50 to 70% similarity of the actual fingerprint. Due to the carving is done by bare hand which the crafter must good eyesight and stable hand skill. The skills to control the craving depth of each tiny lines of fingerprint is so details that years of experience is necessary to created something near perfect.

3rd Picture:

So we settle down with this perfect technique - Digital Machining Technique. The different size of bandwidth custom made ring is handmade that produce a solid base for fine fingerprint engraving. (if produce by casting there will be porosity issue) Harder metal meaning better mirror polishing. Better finishing meaning sharp contrast between detailed fingerprint texture with the metal surface. That will make the ring looks elegant and dramatic. And results of computerized craving, you will get exact your fingerprints that seems gently touching on your rings - how unique is that!

Fingerprint or thumbprint jewellery design is quite common in the US and European markets. And their price is relatively high after material cost deduction.  The minimum price starts from RM 1690/pair (USD 520) onwards just for a sterling silver or 925 silver ring. 

As from us, we want to offer more and better to our customer. With the price of RM 1200/pair comes with anti-tarnishing material i.e. Palladium Silver. (Learn more about this metal here) You will also have the choice of different color materials like 18K Rose, Yellow and White Gold.

Owned this One-and-Only Fingerprint HERE

Some other design of fingerprint rings from our Facebook Page: Custom Made Jewellery

Welcome to Jewelries Land - Project of Mr & Mrs Smiths

Can't stop relating to this movie :D

Proposal Ring: hand saw petal patterns to maximize the blink of rock

Solid Bowl Cuff-links: Mrs Smith secret gift -  during "Guo Tai Lai" (过大礼 -  Presenting of betrothal gifts)

For the whole 3 months, these cutie couple came to visit in different timing. After Mr Smith accomplish his successful top secret proposal mission.
There came Mrs Smith like an secret agent with her sketch and brain with full ideas of jewelries projects for her wedding day - earrings, necklace, cuff links, bangle (for HIM) and bracelets (for HER). The most important thing is not to let Mr Smith know. Her secret mission was nearly expose - right, thanks to GPS! Anyway she manage to convince Mr Smith with all sorts of excuses. Got these thought - wont be surprise if SHE change her job to become a secret agent. This is not about talent anymore, but the firing PASSION to complete this task :)
This is something I like about her character - instead of just keep taking, she wants to return something unique to her future husband. The designs concept that branch from HIS proposal ring that matched their wedding theme - Solid Rice Bowl -  a life long commitment that based on God's love.

HER Necklace design branch from HIS Soild Bowl Proposal Ring Design - So memorable one! 

Solid Bowl Earrings Design
Material: Sterling Silver With White Gold Plating
Stone:  3 - 4 mm White Cubic Zirconia

We were quite unsure of the necklace if the stones will stay balance until the final piece is worn by HER during the BIG day... the rocks ROCK!
Solid Bowl Earrings & Necklace Design
Material: Sterling Silver With White Gold Plating
Stone:  3 - 4 mm White Cubic Zirconia

Both Solid Bowl Design Concept:
Hammered Texture Bangle for HIS & Three Chain Bracelet for HER

Perfect Matching Bangle and Bracelet

Their combined project - Wedding Bands
Love Is Always Positive - says the designer cum bride
Material: 18K White Gold
Inlay: Black Enamel and Black Diamond

From A to Z in less then 19 hours - Custom Made Record Breaking Time

Puzzled Heart Shape LORT rings design

the secret love message

Material: Platinum Silver
Stone: Micro Pave Setting Cubic Zirconia

Material: Platinum Silver
Stone: Micro Pave Setting Cubic Zirconia

Got the call from soft spoken lady on Tuesday (1st Oct 2013) afternoon. She was so excited to found us (after searching around local jewellery retailer but non willing to accept this task) to custom made her 13th Anniversary rings which suppose to be deliver on Thursday (3rd Oct 2013) night. They have a morning flight to catch on the next day. Meaning to deliver a custom made rings in less then 2 days. To be more precise, the total time we have after minus out dairy routine like sleeping time (definitely steal the time from this part), meals time, cleaning time and not to mention we have another bulk project that suppose to be deliver on the 7th Oct 2013.

This suppose to be a surprise to her husband, but it ends up meeting this adorable couple (I seldom seldom use this description on people in 40s). They came to confirm order on Tuesday night. They want something very one-n-only with puzzle heart shape mixture of LOTR concept. The very unique font tells a secret love message. I joke a bit -  because of the rings they will have to learn a new language.  After everything is finalized, then Me started work from 11 pm to 3 am. After that my CNC machine continue working for another 9 hours until the 12 pm. At the same time, we worked very hard on the other also "very urgent" project.

But the good thing to share is this is our very primitive dream - to deliver a custom made jewellery like a vending machine. Just click and pop...waalaa you got your custom made rings wedding rings in just a few second. No more worries on last minutes gifts. To think positive, we have at least started a very first step of a long journey...

During the delivery night, the cutie couple just love their "babies" who were born in two days. We are truly glad we manage to contribute in perfecting their plan of 13th Anniversary.  The husband just making joke saying that he was expecting Me and Chin to have toothpick or salophen tape to support our eyelids. 

Ok.. I know he likes Mr Bean :)

Triplets Reunion - the moment snatcher can't steal the Spirit!

Material: 18k rose and yellow gold, platinum
Stone: 3.25 mm(0.145 carats) diamonds

paired wedding rings

Material: Palladium Silver
Stone: Cubic Zirconia

"Hi Jane!
I just wanted to write to thank both you and Chin again. Wedding rings are probably the worst things to lose and what you did is just amazing. It really feels as if I never lost them. In fact, I kind of feel like a new bride again coz all my friends are admiring my rings! Even my kids were impressed. (My eldest son imagined me having caught the bad guys in my great-grandma's style and thus got my rings back, hahaha!)
My husband's first comment on seeing his ring was, "Wow, that's big!". Anyway, he is very pleased both with his and my rings. He didn't notice any engravings (his eyesight is getting bad in "old age") and I had to point it out too. Aiya, he is just not romantic in that way! But he thinks all the rings are perhaps better than the originals, not counting the sentimental value of the old ones, of course. 
Even our aunt (the one I told you) commented on my rings and the workmanship and thought these were better -- the bigger size of the diamonds was not lost on her! (Trust old aunts to notice! Well, she did buy quite a bit of jewellery in her time.)"

...This is a touching testimonial from an old customer. 

4 weeks before, she was the victims of snatchers. Lost 2 (a triplet ring designs which comes in platinum, 18K rose and yellow gold) from 3 of her wedding rings. She valued the rings so much that had cried for the whole day (that was how she described (T,T)) just tried to accept the fact that those precious were gone.

The HIS wedding ring got the same destiny - was stolen in a year before!
The loving but not so romantic husband (still this is her description :)), came visit to make another pair of rings for her. Just to minimized her pain.
She is blessed to have a loving-&-patient-but-not-so-romantic husband. Not to mention, she was not hurt during the incident.

A person who surrenders when he is WRONG, is HONEST. A person who SURRENDERS when not SURE, is WISE. A person who surrenders even if he is RIGHT, is a HUSBAND.
- Azgraybebly Josland 

P.s. Beware of some security guards who works as part-time spy to their fellow snatcher friend. : (

Three Tones Braided Wedding Rings

Confirmed rings design before going to production

awesome pair

HIS ring

HER ring

“Love was a feeling completely bound up with color, like thousands of rainbows superimposed one on top of the other.” 

― Paulo Coelho

This assignment was recommend by a diamond supplier from Singapore (still have no idea who the person is :P) The bride - a very soft spoken young lady, went around Malaysia and Singapore to look for a capable goldsmith to take up this task. A three tones 18K gold rings (i.e. yellow, rose and white gold) with 76 pieces of 1.25 mm diamonds to be deliver in 3 weeks time. Nobody dare to take up the challenge due to lots of testing has to be done especially the three tones braided part and so many uncertainty in the production flow. 

Ok.....the design is something we always wanted to try on, plus we can imagine how beautiful the rings are going to be. These tempting facts make us just can't resist the challenges. 

My part is art work presentation, I took 2 days and nights to think and try on the weaving effect so it looks like hand braid. At the beginning, the HER ring is plain. Then she decided to add diamonds onto it to enhance it elegant.  And she is right, the micro pave diamond setting really create an awesome effect!

After art work confirmation, Chin start do some testing on the braid using silver cords. He did a few attempts before reaching a consistent and tide braid. Then worked on actual material - yellow, rose and white gold. The time is getting short! We were in tense when the cords broke during the braiding process - I meant a few times! (Due to too thin) Chin have to re-mill the gold cords then repeat the whole process again.  OMG!  

But still we manage to make it. Finally, the beautiful three colour gold cord were tide together in harmony. :D

The third challenge is the diamond selecting process. To match their budget, we try to look for the par rate diamonds. But they are too small (1 mm size - like dandruff??), too cloudy and yellowish in colour. Then we decide to choose the 1.25 mm diamonds with quality we can accept.  We make some adjustment on the diamond quantity but the cost is still within their budget.

Chin take almost 2 days just to set the diamonds. I told the ring owner, Chin make the rings with sweats and tears, plus his eyes were so stress and sore that he can feel they tend to fall off.  She just laughed :) The happy ending is the rings owner like them. She said they look even more beautiful compare to the picture - INDEED!

Let age be no excuse....

What will you do to gain knowledge? Will you drive 182 miles or 292 kilometres from Penang to KL? 

At the age of 60+++, what will you do as leisure? Will you learn hand skills from scratch? 

Josef Bronner will...

A German senior engineer cum GM who sign up "Basic Jewelry Design and Smithing Course" with MC Square Studio. 

Travel back and forth, spending 20 over days with us to create his series of master piece. 

You must have these ingredient to make the course a success namely passion, time, money and diligence.

Josef Bronner has these all (^.^)

After the course, he will be leaving Malaysia - a place he has spend almost his entire life and back to Germany 

Me, Chin, Lizzie, Dawn and Wei will surely missed him much - a humble senior citizen.

This quote from Henry Ford most well describes him:
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young."

Spot the teacher and the student :)

Amazing piece crafts from wax....

Pink Silver -  I call this "Happy Metal"

Josef Bronner has good polishing and crafting skills

Inner Peace Seeking Moment - Mix Media Charms Pendant

idea recording

combination of silver and brass

Just realise - to materialise our idea is an inner peace seeking journey. When reading from paper the world chaos seems like a never ending story. And the story became a real horror. The weak and small are always the victims of the violent and hatred. As a 3 children mother, I was so terrify to accept this fact. 

When in such emotional condition, I choose to ease myself by writing, singing, dancing, drawing, watching tv bla bla.... But when the negative feeling is still there, I turn to God for HIS guidance!

Design description: 

The round crooked background silver plate is the current world with confuse lines criss-crossing all over created by hammering technique. The texture was emphasized by blackening technique.The original sketch was a round structure, but I was not satisfied with the outcome. Turn to use heavy duty scissors to cut and trim the round onto crooked.shape until it represent my though of the confusing world, then I stop.  The flame shape brass plate holding colours cubic zirconia representing 5 of us: black is the father Chin, white is me, blue and pink is Lizzie's and Dawn's favourite colour. And lastly the green prince of us at the bottom of all stones. We hope to be the light that walk the talks of GOD's teaching. At second though the flame plate is also like hands holding together when you carry something precious. Symbolized GOD's love and teaching hold all us together to face the current and future challenges .

Priceless Gift From A Mama

Mama's Design

3D Artwork

the separated parts before reunion

Mama priceless gift for birthday and Christmas

Since taking this tough course titled : "How to take care of 3 kids cum work from home without getting mad". I have missed doing something I love since Feb 2012 (to prevent this blog to become weeds garden, I have to do something fast)  - organise my though and try to speak it out!   To answer your question - Yes, my 3rd bb was born in April 2012. Our business was in hibernate condition for 3 months since then. I have no more excuse to continue doing tasks that I love. So let this project break the long silence.

A very old friend of mine, a simple person that always has the fine hand making little crafts and delicious bakery (YUM YUM!). She was very indecisive when making decision on gift for her lovely daughter. Until one day she sent me the sketch of her own design. What else can be more unique then that. a perfect life long keepsake for her sweetie.

The pendent is made of 750/18K gold (a strongest material among gold carat) but the chain is 916/22k gold. Not our original plan of 18K gold. Just realise that Malaysia market supply expensive 18K/750 gold jewelry i.e. about RM 350/gram. Which is much more higher compare to 22K/916 gold i.e. RM 195/gram. No doubt the cost of producing 18k/750 gold is higher especially  in terms of tooling cost, but a mass production chain with such high cost is still too much. 

6 hrs Instead of 3 hrs DIY Wedding Rings Workshop

her very detail  and neat design descriptions

Material: Premium Silver
Stone: 1.5mm diamond
Finishing: Hybrid
(matte and mirror finishing)

these beautiful pieces were completed in 6 hrs!

End of last year, I received a call from a lady (with sweet voice) asking for DIY custom made wedding ring workshop. A very young looking music teacher with a dream of making her very primitive wedding ring design to come true. 

The workshop was held on the 4th day of  Chinese New Year. The couple came with a patient helper: her sister cum photographer. The workshop was suppose to be complete in 3 hrs. but we chat a lot then found out that it was lunch time. When lunch time come back, we continue chatting (plus do work) until we realised that it was already evening time. Sometimes just can't help to share experience (or chatting plus do work) with such charming people.

Like an artist, she has the beautiful story behind the designs.

"Matte finishing represent him, and mirror finishing is her. 

For his ring: the splendid shine of mirror covering the matte surface means she is always the supporter to whatever his decision will be and both of them is bind together by a diamond represent everlasting.

For her ring: the rough macho kind of matte finishing covering the mirror means he will be the shelter to protect her from any life challenges and their love is tie up by the solid rock forever."

We finally did it - Wood Ring Project!

the raw wood before treatment

Two tone jewelry really looks wonderful

the wood natural grain enhance the beauty of the ring

All the while I think wood should be pair with metal to enhance its grain beauty as well as to make it more elegant. We were planning to make something out from wood only the matter of time. Finally there came this  lovely lady same "taste" as us who want to make the special wedding for her future husband.
I personally prefer Ebony wood but the colour is to dark for the customer.
So Chin went to source for different local hard wood and finally settle with "Chengal". This is a kind of wood with rich resin which means more "tahan lasak" to water. We did some treatment on the wood before going for setting. Chin broke 3 pieces of wood rings before succeed. To enhance the wood grain texture, we applied some wax on it. The wax will also act as a protector to the wood.

Source from Malaysian Timber Council www.mtc.com.my

Why Chengal hard wood ?

Chengal wood is one of the hardest wood found in Malaysia. It comes with densities of 800 to 1,120 kg per cubic metre at 15%, moisture content. It is naturally durable, containing substances which repel wood-destroying agents. It can safely be used without preservative treatment in all climates. Main uses are in heavy construction and flooring, railway sleepers, door and window frames.

On top of that, every piece of Chengal Wood Carving retain the value over the years, because  it is a piece of art work, not just a piece of wood.

simple wood ring sets with palladium silver

beautiful two tone colour design

The Most Expensive Souvenir

the sketch from customer using google sketch up and the final 3D art work  

the front view with hand writing font

This is a very special 21st birthday gift for a young lady. The designer is her handsome boyfriend with very thoughtful heart. 

80 x 30 x 2 mm is the dimension of the heart shape key. The base metal is brass with 999 gold and rhodium plating. Due to the dimension, the mould cost was high.  He emailed the sketch using google sketch up which he learnt when helping his girlfriend on some of her college projects. The draft was clear with precise measurements. The only thing unsure was the font and relief part. He decided to use his own hand writing for "JuYi" and "EK" alphabets. Two art works were presented before he agreed on the final 3D results. Today is her" BIG" day, so hope she likes this special gift (^L^)

"INGLOT" Unisex Bracelets - From Concept to Delivery In 7 days

back view

19cm length stainless steel ball chain

front view

Classical Two Tone Bracelets

Look like bullets, is it?

Pendants: Brass
Ball Chain: Stainless Steel

Did I say about the heart shape pendants is our last urgent project (deliver in 10 days)?  I am going to eat my words, in fact we enjoyed the "torture" of deadline. Taking challenge then enjoy the harvest from success or lessons from failure.