Raw Diamonds and Todd Reed
Fine art jewelry designer Todd Reed makes beautiful use of raw diamonds
Nov 4, 2006
Todd Reed is not just just the popular favorite. You cannot pick up a jewelry trade publication without seeing his name mentioned in a complimentary fashion by those working in the industry. He is a perpetual favorite at all the fine art jewelry competitions he enters.
Reed is a self-taught jewelry artist who uses his training as a pastry chef as the basis for his method of fabricating his jewelry pieces. Each component of the piece is laid out and assembled in logical order - like following a recipe.
Reed's use of raw diamonds was inspired by the diamond engagement ring campaign. You know the one - where it is suggested that two months gross salary is a good ballpark for an engagement ring budget.
Raw diamonds are readily available purchased in the shape of cubes. Readily available raw diamonds will range in color from medium grey to a greyish white. The picture displayed with this article shows about ten carats of cubed relatively white raw diamonds purchased on eBay.
Reed's forte is the artful combination of cubed raw diamonds with similar sized cut diamonds. Another interesting aspect of his work is the way he sets his diamonds. Most commercially sold diamonds are set with prongs holding them in place with the back open so that in theory light can enter from all sides of the gemstone illuminating it.
Reed's gemstones are usually set in square, coarse appearing bezels with many different gemstone bezel sets fabricated together to make one jewelry piece. The overall effect is breathtaking. Reed's design line includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pins.
Second to his use of raw diamonds is the distinguishing fact that all Reed's jewelry designs are totally wearable. Every single design of this artist that is shown on his website appears to be comfortable for extended wear and in most cases appropriate for day wear. Many of his pieces will also make a nice transition from day to night wear.
While he is best known for his work with raw and cut diamonds he was a recipient a few years back of a Saul Bell award for a beautiful beaded bracelet that he fabricated from faceted aquamarine beads with raw diamond spacers.
While Todd Reed has a very interesting and comprehensive website he is not an online vendor of his jewelry. However, the website does give full details as to shows in which he is appearing and shops and galleries in which his work can be purchased.
