I usually start out this way - with a rough concept sketch. Sometimes the design will change if I encounter engineering problems along the way - this one went remarkably smoothly, and not much changed from the final product to the original sketch.
The final pick of amethyst crystals! I chiseled them off of a geode and picked out my favorites.
Making each custom setting in wax
This is the second most stressful step - putting all the individual bezel settings onto the main form.
I added some additional details here to enhance the theme of this piece. I took my inspiration from newly budded fern leaves
Getting ready to invest the wax and put it in the vacuum chamber: the do or die stage!
The finished product!
The finished product!