Christiana Layman Designs

10/24/2026

I love when a client tells me another jeweler said their vision was impossible.

Often, “impossible” just means difficult. It might require an unusual stone, a specialized technique, or the right person who knows how to make it happen.

My client had an L color antique old mine cut engagement ring with tapered French cut side stones. She wanted her wedding band to accent the antique, chunky facetting of her engagement ring.

The reason she was told this would be “impossible” is because this is not only a rare diamond cut - it’s hard to find it in low color grades. Then, once you find this (which is already challenging) - you need them to match in size, clarity, and cut. This requires sorting and measuring several different parcels of stones to find ones that belong together to create a full eternity band.

Once we finally overcame that challenge, I had each individual stone scanned into CAD for the setting. That way any irregularities in the measurements of the stones is accounted for in the setting design.

This is not a common technique. Usually, the diamonds are fit into a generic setting. This is how you end up with lost diamonds. Instead, the setting is designed AROUND the unique diamonds and their specs.

Since her engagement ring is low profile and the band will be worn next to it, I wanted to make the setting extra durable with the expectation of wear and tear agains the engagement ring. We made the bar prongs between the diamonds slightly thicker and the foundation of the ring under the stones more heavy duty than most. Yes, it’s slightly more expensive but it almost eliminates the risk of losing these high value diamonds.

And I design it in a way that still feels sleek and dainty. The hidden gold weight that adds strength is almost invisible to the naked eye.

We polished under the diamonds and added a 24k gold plating under the diamonds to bring out the warmth and to make the engagement ring look even better.

These two rings are a match made in heaven 😍💕

I love how these turned out. These are such fun challenges and I love getting to bring my clients dreams to life 🤍

10/22/2026

I’m fascinated how design evolves with cultural shifts. In the late 1800s to early 1900s, there was a movement known as Art Nouveau which inspired design elements with organic lines, elaborate floral borders, etc. As technology advanced in post-world war era, these designs and silhouettes were considered overly complex for a now fast paced machine-age. The 1925 Paris International Exhibition was the moment where the world officially pivoted to what we now know as Art Deco. Art Deco was characterized by mathematical symmetry, geometric shapes, sunburst motifs, glamour and luxury. I’m fascinated by seeing the ways these two design eras can exist together through artists embracing both the floral, organic, intricate design elements of Art Nouveau and blend it seamlessly with the geometric, bold, design elements of Art Deco.

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

Your engagement ring should be a work of art that tells your love story 💍

10/14/2026

I still daydream about this ring 🤭💫✨

10/11/2026

summer ☀️ — autumn 🍂

10/10/2026

There is something so special about reworking an heirloom diamond and giving it new life. It carries the history, the stories, the whispers of the past. It honors it and gives it new life and new meaning in this next chapter 💍