Introduction
Some jewelry isn’t just something you wear. It’s personal and something you connect with. It tells a story. Holds a memory. Reminds you of something (or someone) important. Whether it’s inspired by a favorite book, a personal milestone, or a moment you want to carry with you, truly special jewelry feels like it was made just for you.
But here’s the reality: even the most meaningful piece can lose its luster if it’s not designed with wear in mind.
Over time, daily contact with harder surfaces slowly wears down metal. Chains can weaken, settings may loosen, and certain materials can tarnish or degrade more quickly when exposed to elements like salt water, sulfur, or chlorine. Before long, something that once felt like a treasure ends up too fragile to wear, or worse, stuck in a drawer because it can’t be repaired.
That’s exactly why I take a different approach to jewelry design. One that prioritizes both meaning and longevity. In this post, I’ll walk you through my signature process for creating jewelry that captures your style and story while standing up to the way you actually wear it.
Ready to see what intentional jewelry design really looks like?
My Signature Process for Designing Long-lasting Jewelry Wear
The custom pieces I create aren’t just made to look good today. It’s so important to me that the work I create is designed to hold its beauty, meaning, and structural integrity for years to come. When you invest in something personal, you deserve to know it will last. That’s why every step of my process is built around one central goal: creating jewelry that’s as durable and wearable as it is meaningful and visually striking.
Step 1: Understanding Your Style and Jewelry Wear Habits
Before I start sketching a single idea, I spend time getting to know you. We’ll talk through:
- What kind of aesthetics you’re drawn to
- Whether this is something you’ll wear every day or just on special occasions
- Your lifestyle and how hands-on or active you typically are
As a foundational step, this is extremely important because jewelry isn't just about beauty, it's about functionality. If you wear your rings every day and use your hands a lot, for example, that will affect the materials and settings I recommend. Understanding your personal style, your daily routines, and how you plan to wear your piece will help me do my best work for you, suggesting options that are not only visually appealing but also practical for your lifestyle.
One of my favorite commissions that perfectly embodies this step is a project I worked on for a woman named Krista. She wanted to create a raw anniversary band for her husband, incorporating sentimental elements. We used 14K rose gold from his existing band, a diamond from a family heirloom, and new sterling silver (specifically the Continuum® formulation) to create a custom piece that reflected his personal style and family heritage.
Design elements in the band were inspired by the Black Forest in Germany and a Norway spruce. One of the most unique requests was to smash the diamond and flush set the fragments to represent stars in the sky portion of the ring. The combination of materials, particularly the durable Continuum Silver®, ensured that the ring could withstand everyday wear for someone who works with their hands.
Step 2: Selecting Materials and Settings for Durability
Once I have a clear understanding of how my client plans to wear their piece, I make recommendations for specific materials, gemstones, and settings.
- Alloy Selection: I suggest metal alloys that are designed with durability in mind, and generally design with thicker bands to prevent wear related repairs from being needed in the future.
- Gemstone Choice: Some stones are harder than others, meaning they’re more resistant to scratches and damage. I recommend stones that suit my clients’ lifestyles while keeping their budgets in mind.
- Setting Type: A secure setting, like a flush or bezel setting, can significantly cut down on maintenance costs over time.
This step ensures that the jewelry not only meets expectations but exceeds them. A well-chosen combination of materials and design elements makes the piece easier to care for, less prone to damage, and ultimately a better long-term investment.
A great example of this in action is a custom piece I created for a client named Steve. He wanted a ring that complemented his pirate garb, and I had the creative freedom to bring his vision to life. We set a large emerald into a band crafted from Argentium® sterling silver, giving it a weathered, hammered texture to reflect the feel of being on board a ship. To enhance the nautical theme, I added octopus tentacles that climbed up the sides of the ring as if they were grabbing onto the stone. The durable Argentium® silver ensured that the piece wouldn’t tarnish easily, making it perfect for long-term wear.
Step 3: Prioritizing Longevity Over the Lowest Price
This is where everything comes together, ensuring that the piece is designed for longevity instead of just keeping costs as low as possible. While cost matters, I believe your investment should go toward something that lasts.
- Proper Thickness: Ensuring aspects like band thickness meet or exceed durability standards means the piece will last much longer. Going slightly thicker on a band, for example, can add years to its lifespan.
- Secure Settings: Choosing more protective settings for gemstones can mean fewer repairs and a reduced risk of losing stones over time.
- Structural Integrity: Every element, from prong size to setting walls, is designed to provide long-term wearability without compromising style.
Here’s the truth: I don’t believe in fast fixes or throwaway designs. I’ve spent years mastering both the creative and technical sides of this craft, studying traditional techniques, metallurgy, and design principles. I use that knowledge to build pieces that honor your story, respect your budget, and reflect the standards I hold myself to as a designer and artist.
I won’t compromise on quality because I know what’s possible when a piece is made with intention, skill, and heart. When you wear something I’ve created, I want you to feel proud. I want you to know it was made with care, built to last, and worthy of the meaning you’ve placed in it.
Why This Process Matters
When artisans skip these steps, you end up with pieces that may look great initially but quickly become a hassle. Poorly designed jewelry can:
- Be difficult or impossible to repair
- Require frequent maintenance or expensive refinishing
- Need to be replaced within just a few years
This process makes sure each piece fits the client’s lifestyle. It also helps reduce future repair or replacement costs. It’s an approach that benefits both the buyer and the jewelry itself.
Invest in Jewelry That Tells Your Story and Stands the Test of Time
Your jewelry should be more than an accessory. It should mean something. It should hold a story, reflect your style, and be built to last through every chapter of your life.
At Skolland Jewelry, you never have to choose between beauty and durability. Every piece is thoughtfully designed and masterfully crafted to ensure it stays just as meaningful and just as stunning years from now as it was the day you received it.
Don’t settle for jewelry that fades, breaks, or falls short of your expectations. Instead, invest in something made with purpose that reflects your uniqueness and fits your lifestyle.
Explore my collections to find a piece that’s as lasting as the story behind it. Or reach out to begin designing something truly one of a kind. Let’s create something that lasts.
