Love is a powerful motivator. The affection Hunsinger felt for his wife is what inspired him to craft his very first piece—an engagement ring for her. He wasn’t a jeweler at the time, he was a firefighter with a 20-year career. But after visiting multiple jewelry stores on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring, he realized the experience and selection didn’t resonate with him. The process of sculpting, casting and setting the stones of her ring sparked a passion in him for jewelry design. He went on to become a jeweler and handcrafted all the wedding jewelry for himself and his wife—including her tiara and both of their wedding bands.
ABOUT THE JEWELRY
+ Hand sculpted 14K white gold, diamond, emerald, aquamarine, zircon and sapphire father’s wedding band.
+ Hand sculpted 14K gold, diamond, emerald, aquamarine, zircon and sapphire mother’s engagement ring.
+ Hand sculpted 14K gold and diamond wedding band.
+ Hand sculpted sterling silver tiara with 14K gold plated leaves and cubic zirconia.
HANDCRAFTED WITH LOVE
Hunsinger described his experience in his own words.
“If I had been given the opportunity to custom design the woman of my dreams, I would have surely fallen short. The woman I love is better than a wish. Making her my wife couldn’t happen soon enough. After looking over thousands of rings in the glass cases at jewelry stores seen by countless people every day, I couldn’t find the one that was meant to be hers. I knew I wanted to do something different and create something that was a part of me as a symbol of my love and commitment to her. I decided to handcraft a one-of-a-kind ring made exclusively for her. When I was finished, I couldn’t wait to drop to my knee and slip it on her finger. I visualized the design. I sculpted the shape. I selected and placed the stones. The woman I love is not wearing just a ring she is wearing a piece of me.“– Gregory Hunsinger
The Hunsinger’s were married in an intimate ceremony in the presence of their closest loved ones at their seaside home in Saint Pete Beach, Florida. When they met, they were both were single parents. He included the birthstones of himself, his wife and their 3 children on her engagement ring and his wedding band, to symbolize the union of their two families.
At the wedding, the officiant prefaced their ring exchange with these words.
“As you prepare to exchange your wedding rings, be mindful of what lead you to this awesome day. Rings are made precious by our wearing them, and in your case, have depth of meaning. They were molded with love by Gregory, and contain your birthstones, and those of your children. Your rings are a constant symbol of your truest being and they carry a potent double message–we are individuals and yet we belong, we are not alone. To give a ring to someone you treasure, is one of the greatest gifts you will ever exchange. Each part of the arc supports the whole, holding together in such perfect harmony (eHarmony) that no part can tell the difference between supporting or being supported. As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only your status, but will also reaffirm the union that you have made. The fact that through the seasons of your lives each of you will be imprinted by the other, yet as yourself remain.”– Jennifer Moore, Wedding Officiant
Click here to see photos and details about crafting the bridal tiara.
Click here to view a snapshot of Hunsinger’s custom jewelry portfolio.
