cou·ture
ko͞oˈto͝or,-ˈtYr/
noun
- the design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client's specific requirements and measurements.
Shopping is fun and all, but designing your own items and having them made exactly the way you want is the best.
I still owned my old engagement ring from my first marriage. It was a very simple and elegant Tiffany solitaire (hey, he did a couple of things right). I sold my wedding band a long time ago, but I was reluctant to get rid of the diamond ring. First, the resale value was poor. Second, the diamond was really beautiful. Third, though our son could probably care less, I wanted to keep it to pass down someday.
The ring sat in my jewelry box for nearly 8 years. My excuse came when a small jeweler's store, Swissa, moved from downtown Seattle into our neighborhood of Queen Anne. They showed me a custom piece they had done for another customer, and we modified the design to accommodate the larger stone. I chose white gold for practical reasons - there isn't a place in Seattle that works with platinum so it would have to be sent away.
We differed over the edges - the jeweler wanted to round them but I like the slightly harsh modern angles. Luckily, with couture, I get the final call!
I was shown the red wax mold initially, and even in that, the diamond looked awesome. I brought in some old broken jewelry and the platinum setting from the engagement ring for credit towards the ring design. It included a broken herringbone gold necklace I had in high school. Even with the '80s and '90s revival, no one wants to see those back.
The final outcome was elegant but clean and modern and works well with casual and dressy clothes.
