Jewellery serves many functions, from a way to decorate to a option to cherish those that got here earlier than us. After shedding my mother to most cancers a number of years in the past, her jewellery jogs my memory of her and permits me to make a style assertion as a private nod to my very own type. Though, I had all the time yearned for a chunk that felt as very like my very own as her jewellery did to her. 

Balefire Items made that dream a actuality. 

Nestled in a sq. lower than 10 miles outdoors of Denver is Balefire Items, residence to an eclectic assortment of bijou. With collections crafted by over 55 complete artists from world wide together with 37 jewellery artists and 24 native artists, the Arvada-based gallery is certain to have one thing for everybody. Nonetheless, the gallery’s capability to refurbish and craft jewellery from hand is what units it aside from different native jewelers. 

Balefire Items items, together with these which can be custom-made and people bought within the studio, are outlined by a novel sense of artwork deco and sweetness. Proprietor Jamie Hollier is drawn to gems that make a press release – sapphire, turquoise and aquamarine to call a couple of. Alongside studio supervisor and goldsmith Baleigh Acebo, Hollier handcrafts jewellery that serves as the point of interest for even essentially the most embellished private jewellery assortment. 

Once I introduced an array of items from my mother’s assortment to Hollier and Acebo, I used to be hesitant about altering something that already held sentimental worth. However I wished one thing completely different that might resemble my very own type whereas giving me the heartfelt remembrance of my mother at any time when I wore it. I wished to uphold her legacy by myself phrases. 

I trusted Balefire Items to create one thing that I might cherish ceaselessly. From begin to end, the method left me feeling giddy moderately than nervous in regards to the consequence. Once I returned to the gallery to choose up my ring after weeks of anticipation, I used to be sure that I made the precise resolution. 

From a Stone to a Design 

As an especially indecisive particular person, I can barely determine what I’m going to have for dinner on a given night time. So when Hollier requested me what I imagined my new jewellery piece to seem like, I gave my traditional reply – I’m versatile.

Hollier is used to working with shoppers like me who would love any and every bit she makes. She’s additionally labored with people who not solely know precisely what they need however are accustomed to the jewellery trade sufficient to provide her directions on each step of the method. Subsequently, we determined to let the stones information us, which is commonly the place the {custom} course of begins. 

“Quite a lot of occasions the stones we’re working with, they’ve an innate aesthetic of themselves,” Hollier stated. 

I introduced a number of choices, however sapphire huggie hoop earrings and sapphire studs stood out to each of us instantly. As my birthstone, sapphire has a sentimental worth and versatile magnificence that might match any and all the pieces. 

The jewellery items that Hollier and Acebo used to create the brand new ring. Picture by Jamie Hollier.

Through the preliminary session, shoppers submit a $250 deposit to start the {custom} course of, which is utilized to the ultimate value of the piece. At this stage, Hollier and her shoppers focus on design concepts. Whether or not they’re making a {custom} piece or remounting a chunk with current jewellery, it’s important that the consumer trusts their jeweler throughout this step of the method and shifting ahead.

“Discover a jeweler that you simply belief,” Hollier stated in regard to custom-made items. “It’s about having a shared design aesthetic.” 

With {custom} designs and remounts, shoppers are sometimes nervous to kickstart the method. Particularly with jewellery that holds sentimental worth, it’s tough to think about the ultimate product. Subsequently, the connection between a consumer and their jeweler is essential. 

“Discover a jeweler that’s keen to spend time with you to coach. Which you could ask questions, you may study in regards to the course of you may study in regards to the supplies that aren’t simply attempting to make one thing and get you out the door,” Hollier added. “This must be a enjoyable technique of co-creation, so discover a place that appears like they get you.” 

Many really feel intimated by the concept of remounting an current piece of bijou to create one thing new. In any case, jewellery will be one’s most treasured or sentimental belonging. Nonetheless, remounting an current piece can provide new life to jewellery and increase on the sentimentality of the piece itself. 

Acebo sizing the ring. Picture by Jamie Hollier.

“Jewellery shouldn’t be intimidating as a result of usually, it’s symbols of a very powerful issues in our lives,” stated Hollier. “It’s items constituted of earlier items we’ve from family members, or from recollections we’ve that we’re remaking or new recollections we’re forming. It’s anniversaries and birthdays and graduations and weddings and memorial items.”

As soon as inspiration or a particular thought for the piece is determined upon, Hollier inputs the client’s and the stone’s data right into a system that helps her observe the method from begin to end. The Balefire Items staff created their very own system to match the wants of their enterprise and their shoppers. Then, Hollier takes photographs of the items and begins engaged on flat designs. 

Hollier despatched me 4 preliminary designs to select from that embodied the artwork deco objective that we mentioned. With little data of the jewellery trade, I discovered myself making a call primarily based on the looks of the design. Nonetheless, Hollier helped me slender down a design together with her experience. 

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“The design on the left beneath is a bit more low upkeep (as prongs want checked and labored on extra typically than bezels) and likewise sits a bit of decrease so it’s a tad simpler to put on. It is extremely artwork deco impressed,” she talked about in an e-mail with the photographs of the designs. “The design on the precise will take a bit of extra upkeep with the prongs and it sits a bit greater on the finger so rather less straightforward to put on (like for placing palms in pockets it’s extra prone to catch).”

With Hollier’s recommendation in thoughts, I felt assured in my resolution and selected to maneuver ahead with this design: 

The finished ring. Picture by Jamie Hollier.

Hollier proceeded with the method by sending me a 3D rendering of the design that I selected. She used computer-aided expertise (CAD) to create the design and characterize it from all angles. Retailing at $3,540, she would disassemble a number of items from my mother’s jewellery assortment to create a hoop with sapphires and diamonds in yellow gold. 

By sharing each flat photographs and the 3D rendering together with her shoppers, Hollier avoids any discrepancies and guarantees that what they see is what they’ll get. Each {custom} piece is made on-site within the Balefire Items gallery, making the {custom} course of personalised from begin to end. 

Behind Balefire Items 

Whereas there’s immense worth in proudly owning a chunk of bijou that can stand up to the take a look at of time, Balefire Items is residence to a group with one thing for everybody. Other than {custom} and remount work, the gallery presents quite a lot of distinctive and sustainable jewellery crafted by artisans throughout the globe. With an emphasis on sourcing gems sustainably and uplifting artisans, the Balefire Items assortment is flexible and sturdy. 

Picture Courtesy of Balefire Items

“We predict there’s a complete place for the jewellery that’s meant to final and the jewellery that’s meant to be of the second, these each have worth,” stated Hollier. “We need to be a spot the place you may come and get your marriage ceremony ring and your anniversary present and a commencement present in your niece that you simply don’t really know that properly anymore however you may nonetheless really feel comfy about all these issues.” 

The Balefire Items staff has established an ambiance celebrating artwork and creativity whereas welcoming shoppers with open arms into an area that feels congenial. The group of girls enjoys one another’s presence whereas additionally prioritizing their work and each consumer that walks via their doorways. The nice and cozy setting of the Balefire Items gallery helps set up a way of belief between the consumer and their jeweler that’s crucial for the result of a {custom} or remount piece to be loved by each the wearer and the maker. 

“Jewellery must be a optimistic expertise as a result of it’s about a very powerful stuff in our life and when you’re not in a spot that’s making it welcoming, discover someplace that’s,” Hollier emphasised. 

Acebo sizing the ring. Picture by Jamie Hollier.

Other than the work inside the gallery, Balefire Items strives to provide again to the group as properly. The staff chooses a neighborhood nonprofit to help for a three-month interval to which a share of the gallery’s proceeds will likely be donated to. The present nonprofit is The Treatment Begins Now, a grassroots group striving to boost funds and consciousness to combat most cancers, particularly childhood most cancers. 

The great thing about each Balefire Items piece signifies the mission behind the gallery and the work of Hollier and her staff. Remounts like mine are created with love and a spotlight to element, assuring a last product that can function an heirloom for the wearer. 

“The rationale we’re all right here is as a result of we love this as a type of expression and artwork and in order that must be shared,” stated Hollier. 

The Huge Reveal 

Picture by Jamie Hollier.

After a lot anticipation, Balefire Items knowledgeable me that my ring was prepared. The second that I noticed it, I knew that my resolution to change my mother’s current jewellery to create one thing of my very own was worthwhile. Hollier and Acebo took into consideration all the pieces that I shared with them and created one thing that I’ll cherish ceaselessly. 

I had sized my finger for the ring in chilly temperatures and picked it up in sweltering warmth. Subsequently, the ring didn’t fairly match on my finger initially. Acebo resized the ring proper then and there, guaranteeing that I might return residence with the piece that I had so anxiously awaited. 

The Balefire Items staff additionally supplied me with care directions to protect my ring. As a {custom} consumer, I can take my piece to Balefire Items at no cost cleansing at any time, which is important in ensuring that the piece is preserved to its full longevity. Moreover, they provided recommendation on learn how to look after my ring each day, together with elimination throughout hand washing and any strenuous actions, and easily utilizing an outdated toothbrush with mushy bristles and a few daybreak dish cleaning soap with a closed drain to take away and filth. Even this step of the method was comforting for me as I’ve by no means been knowledgeable on correct cleansing strategies for treasured jewellery items. 

Carrying the completed ring. Picture by Jamie Hollier.

My ring is my new addition to my each day routine because it matches any outfit, identical to I had requested in my preliminary seek the advice of with Hollier. Whereas its wearability is nice, the sentimentality of the piece is what means essentially the most to me. Each day, I can placed on my new ring and keep in mind my mother. She was my greatest pal, my hero and my style inspiration whose voice lingers in my head day-after-day, reminding me to consider in myself and to comply with my goals. This bodily reminder of her solidifies my love for my mother, and I can thank Balefire Items for permitting my connection to my mother to blossom within the type of a hoop that can all the time function the assertion of my jewellery assortment. 

Be taught extra about {custom} and remount jewellery, the Balefire Items staff and the eclectic gallery by visiting their web site. Take a look at Balefire Items’ Instagram web page for extra {custom} work and gallery choices.