Aug 31, 2018
The Best Jewelry of 2018
LISA
As 2018 winds down, I found myself reflecting on the extraordinary work our team has created this year. While preparing for our Labor Day newsletter, I tried to pick just a few favorite pieces to feature—and quickly realized that it was impossible. So instead, here’s a curated visual celebration of some of our most exciting, bold, and beautiful creations from the year.
And a huge shoutout to our phenomenal in-house photographer, Michelle, whose art makes all of this shine even brighter.
Masterworks in Mokume Gane
We'll kick things off with four stunning mokume ring designs. From clean classics to showstoppers with intricate detailing, each piece is a small sculpture—designed with intention, made to last a lifetime.
Corporate Meets Custom
Yes, these custom logo cufflinks are real… and no, they haven’t been made yet! This is actually a CAD rendering created through a design collaboration between myself (sketch), my brother Pat (CAD), and my husband John (rendering). We love working with forward-thinking companies to bring their brand to life in fine jewelry.
Stones You'll Never Forget
Some of the most unusual stones we worked with this year include: A beautiful turquoise inlay engagement ring, a truly massive opal, a one of a kind carved sapphire cameo, and an octagonal raw sapphire. These gems had us all swooning at the bench--and every one became a statement piece.
The Power of the Parure
How about turning your favorite motif or style into a complete parure with your lover's birthstones? Perfect for marking milestones or gifting something unforgettable. I've already got my eye on a ruby version!
Diamonds in Every Form!
Here's some major sparkle factor... diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds! From natural to lab-grown, we saw incredible sparkle this year. Whether you’re drawn to timeless white or ready to explore color, we’ve got you covered.
The yellow diamond earrings are a matched pair of lab created diamonds--gorgeous!
A Penchant for Pendants
We continued to push our pendant designs in new directions-- playing with scale, stone placement, and layering. Good for special occasions and every day!
Wildlife Collections Take Flight
Our wildlife collections are taking off as if in front of a wildfire! What spirit animal would you like to see carved into a miniature sculpture? What creature gives you comfort and what would you like to see next? Let us know!
Celebrating Love With Pride
We had the joy of working on several hers-and-hers engagement ring sets this year. Our LGBTQ+ clients continually inspire us with their creativity and warmth. We’re proud to offer a welcoming, inclusive space where everyone can bring their love story to life. One World!
Design that Transforms
From earring jackets to mokume tie clips, this was a year of elegant details. This set of earring jackets was a labor of love! Cindy and Pat worked together on this, Cindy sketching and engineering, Pat doing the CAD, and Cindy finishing up with the gold smithing. Nice work Team!
Regal Inspiration
Two classic beauties. Wonderful ways to display rose gold and diamonds in eternally gorgeous ways.
More Queen's Jewels
Some designs just demanded crowns. Pictured here is the amazing mokume bracelet we made with the sketch I created for the client and was worthy of royalty. What an honor to be able to create such a "Queen's Jewel"--and yes, we want to make more of them!
Treasures from the Sea
Waves swirl...From a mermaid fountain ring to a his-and-hers set with nautical symbolism and a world map, this year took us under the sea and around the globe. These rings were complex, bold, and full of story. I spent hours on layouts and sketching for each of these rings, Pat did the modeling and Cindy rocked the engraving!
Make it Snow, Elsa!
How about some big white beauties?
One Step Closer to the Divine
We brought the Lotus Spirit to life in jewelry form. A touch of the sacred with a Heart Chakra Engagement Ring and matched Heart Chakra Enhancer for her, and a heart chakra symbol engraved inside the ring for him, or the serene Lotus Bud Engagement Ring. All rings left us speechless. Beauty and meaning go hand in hand.
For the Queens Among Us
A few more rarities for engagement rings: a raw diamond crystal in a rope scaffolding engagement ring for the Sea Queen (this is three rings!!!); an engagement ring for a Polynesian princess with lab emerald, alexandrite and pearls; and a lab created orange sapphire for the Queen of the Galaxy! What does the ring for your queen look like?
Glorious Gifts
Two wonderful gift ideas; a tie clip and a mother's ring.
Nature, Refined.
Our oak leaf rings were literally taking root and sprouting new designs throughout the year! From the Oak Leaf Engagement Ring with a Flush Set Sapphire to the simple leaves in the Solitaire Oak Leaf Engagement Ring to the gorgeous mix of metals in the Tricolor Oak Leaf Wedding Band, we are so proud to support nature-lovers and tree-huggers with designs that express their roots—literally.
Open Letters in Style
Another spectacular work of modeling by Pat and rendering by John! We haven't made this yet but are excited to add letter openers to our offerings in the future.
Expressing Your True Nature
Nature continues to be a predominant theme with our Krikawa designers and artists!
Fine Custom Logo Jewelry
For the forward thinking business that values its team and is ready to reward them with luxury gifts, we had a bit of fun creating rings and pendants for corporate awards. Ok I have to admit that the guitar ring below is just a photoshop of mokume onto Pat's guitar ring. Any takers? These are more images from our Corporate Collection.
Artistic Adornment Everyday
I love the simplicity and every day elegance of these jewelry pieces!
For Kings and Queens
The shield and quatrefoil are such regal motifs.
Seriously, what can you say to this???? Don't ask for one, this diamond is LITERALLY one of a kind.
Only Skin Deep
Coming to an end with some of our skins in our wildlife collection...we have Dragon Scales and Sharks' Skin--stay tuned for more in this arena!
Full Custom Vintage Design
And lastly, another vintage recreation with custom cut emeralds in this Art Deco Halo ring design.
Leave me a comment!
I hope you enjoyed these images! Thanks for taking this walk down memory lane with us. If something caught your eye—or inspired your own idea— let us know. In the upcoming year, we want to continue expanding and creating legacy pieces that become heirlooms. Here’s to another year of wild creativity, heartfelt stories, and jewelry that captures it all.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
Lori Ruben
Sep 08, 2018Absolutely AMAZING, ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGNS that ONLY KRIKAWA can deliver!!!!
Dr. Marti J. Thomas
Sep 08, 2018Hey, where’s my ring? It should be show here too!!!
Laura Held
Sep 08, 2018Your work is always breathtaking, Lisa. So proud of you. Thank you for the eye candy treat. It was a real treat this day.
Caroline Yingling
Sep 08, 2018All of your jewelry is absolutely stunning !!!. But my favorite is still the simple bear claw ring made from silver I have loved for years.. I don't even know if you still make that design. Please continue to make the wildlife ring collection. Maybe one day I can get the bear claw ring. Thank you, Caroline