Welcome!

Welcome to Kerkes Goldworks! Kelly Kerkes is the owner and creator of
custom made jewelry and wedding sets featuring hand carved waxes,
diamonds and gemstones. In business for 22 years, serving
Northern Colorado and the world.

"I am a master metalsmith. My background is in fine art, not a
tradeschool. During my years at the bench I have worked with every
imaginable jewelry material, from platinum and diamonds to bottle
glass and copper. I am obsessed with opals and metal objects. I believe
in bringing out the beauty of a thing and then figuring out how to
show it off. Isn't that what adornment is all about?"


If you would like to see a more
detailed portfolio of past and
present work please visit our website at

http://www.kerkesgoldworks.com

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Building Earrings

Have you ever wondered what the process looks like in building a pair of earrings? Here are some step by step photos:



                                              The parts and gem stones waiting to be assembled.


                                                                         Assembly


                                                                          Rough Finish


                                                                       Finished Earrings


Thursday, March 10, 2011

Men's Ring Sterling Silver and Diamond Celtic Knotwork Dragon/Phoenix


This is a friend's wedding ring.  He lost the first one, which was cast in gold.  I think I like it in silver better.   

This piece was photographed using techniques described by Mariano, a NYC based advertising photgrapher.  Check out his fantastic blog:  Studio Quality Product Photography with a $12 setup

My apoligies to Mariano for not photographing the "set up" as well.  Next time, I promise to show how this was done.  For now, you must rely on my description.  I taped some wax paper over the window in my daughter's bedroom, where direct sunlight was coming in.  Next, I put a couple of bar stools right up next to the window and put a piece of aluminum foil over the stools.  I then took a piece of a cardboard box and covered it with foil as well.  For his shot, Mariano had his foil positioned next to the piece he was photographing.  For my shots, I found that I had to move the foil covered cardboard directly over the piece, which put more light on the designs.  I used my macro setting with the camera set to fast speed.  I love the reflective quality of the foil (dull side up), it is very soft and neutral.   This was so easy to set up and really worked well.  Thanks to Mariano for his fantastic and practical photography tips!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Gold and Diamond Scrollwork Pendant


Does everyone remember the beautiful diamond scrollwork ring Kelly created back in November, the one with over 7 carats of diamonds?  This is the matching pendant.  Cleopatra, look out!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Sterling Silver and China Ring


Sterling Silver Ring set with Antique Floral China



My husband and I love to garden. Our house is 107 years old, and the people who once lived here used the garden as a dumping spot for all their broken plates and dishes. This piece was found under our strawberry patch, and being lovers of beautiful things thought it just had to be set in a ring for others to admire. This handmade silver set with antique floral china ring is a size 7, band is hand hammered and is 5mm wide.

Our business depends on word of mouth. If you like what you see, please, tell your friends!

Available on Etsy:  
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67353570/handmade-silver-ring-with-antique-floral

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

New Work

Well, Kelly has been super busy these last couple of weeks, which is usually the case this time of year.  Here are some photos of work he has recently completed:

Diamond and gold wedding ring

Tiger's eye heart and pearl pendant
Amethyst spoon pendant

Citrine Spoon Pendant

Hope everyone had a good Turkey day!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Day 43 Bloodstone Cross Sterling Silver Ring

Bloodstone Cross Sterling Silver Ring, size 7. Cross is 12mm wide, $100.00
Call me crazy, but I think this is the perfect Christmas remembrance ring. You have the red and green mix in the bloodstone, coupled with the cross shape.  

Chalcedony, which is found worldwide, is the name for a group of stones made of a microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline variety of quartz. Stones that are members of the chalcedony group include bloodstone, jaspers, agates, dinosaur bone, chrysoprase,chrysocolla, onyx and carnelian amoung others. It is thought to increase vitality, stamina, and endurance and to promote emotional balance and charity while relieving melancholy, fever, gallstones, and eye problems.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61610062/100-rings-100-days-day-43-bloodstone

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Day 42 Le Fleur

Le Fleur Lacy Floral Silver Dome Ring set with Deep Red Faceted Garnet, hand sawn. Garnet is 5mm, Ring is 21mm wide, size 7, $130.00
Garnet is January's birthstone, and occurs in every color of the rainbow except for blue. Garnet's powers include healing,strength, and protection, and in earlier times garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61521487/100-rings-100-days-day-42-le-fleur-lacy