New-York based designer Anna Sheffield tells us about her inspirations, her love of rose gold and her fascination for black diamonds.
Q: You have become the designer to watch in the bridal jewelry industry. How long ago did you decide to focus on this market? Why?
Why thank you! That’s certainly flattering to hear and I hope its true.
I have been making engagement and commitment rings for many years, mostly for friends and clients who are already fans of the brand. But I started to see much more interest in my work over the past 4 or 5 years in what you could call alternative bridal jewelry. That is really what prompted us to launch the full line of engagement and commitment rings in September 2011. I saw there truly was a need for it in the marketplace. The line really fills that category in an aesthetic sense but also symbolically- and I find the work really personally fulfilling.
Q: There is always something unique, fresh and new in your pieces. They are alternative, yet you manage to keep them somewhat classic and very feminine. How would you describe your jewelry and give us some of your current inspirations?
Very well put! Indeed, I try to always strike a balance of modern and antique -not always in the same ways, but something of a ‘bygone era’ referenced in a way that renders the design more timeless – so I am not just emulating antique. I also love femininity juxtaposed with more stark and strong design elements- thats just something I think is personal preference or style. And it comes largely from the fact that I am inspired by so many and often very disparate things. I mean I love machines and architecture- a motorcycle is inspiring to me in the same way a flower or a really strange hue of nail polish is. I find poetry visually inspiring as well as music. Maybe thats odd, but I do think about jewelry all the time- and just shape and form in general are informed by what I see around me.
Q: You use a lot of rose gold. We love this metal , however it does lose its shade as time goes by. How do you feel about that?
I love rose gold! Love love! I’ve been using it since I started Bing bang pretty much. I don’t know that solid rose gold really changes over time, though plated rose gold will often yellow and even sometimes oxidize. I haven’t encountered that total color change.
Q: Black diamonds are also a major part of your collection. They are so mysterious. What can you tell us about them and why you love them.
Black diamond is really an interesting material. Its the only stone in my collection that we use that is not wholly in its natural state. All black diamond is heated to give a uniform opacity to the material. It often comes from rough material that is partially colored yet hazy, or even might have a bit of clarity that shows in internal texture of the crystals that look like fissures, even though the gem is in fact solid. They have an amazing luster and even brilliance to them when you find the high quality material, which is all I use for my pieces.
Q: What is the average retail price of your engagement rings and commitment bands?
They range from $500 to $35,000. There are so many variables with the material cost and workmanship. hence the range. A great thing about bridal jewelry is that you can adjust color or carat weight a tad and hit a desired price point on just about any design. We do that a lot along with work that is completely custom.
Q: What do you do when you don’t design jewelry?
Sleep! And I love to cook as well. That’s probably the second most important creative outlet in my life- below designing.
Q: You live in New York , what would be your top spot suggestion for a proposal?
I would think that depends so much on the people getting engaged… so personal. But maybe on one of our many beautiful bridges would be momentous!
Q: What’s your favorite ring in the collection now, and why?
Oh that’s tough. I have phases really. At present I am obsessed with the Attelage style. I made a few for the site so far and we custom made two in the last couple months. The style consists of the central diamond or cluster that sits on two bands so that other rings can be worn layered underneath. A little bit like a bridge- but I named it for dressage.
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