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Custom mixed-metal diamond ring stack created through a CMD Reconstruction project

Stages of a CMD Reconstruction Project

Thinking about transforming inherited jewelry, old wedding rings or family diamonds into something you’ll actually wear? I’m walking you through a CMD Reconstruction project from our first conversation and careful deconstruction to recycling, design, production and the finished piece, so you know exactly [...]

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Hand holding recycled gold jewelry scraps at the CMD jewelry studio

The Elephant in the Room: Metal Prices

Gold and silver prices change constantly, and when your work begins with real precious metal, those shifts matter. I’m pulling back the curtain on how rising material costs affect a small handmade jewelry studio, why we save and recycle every usable scrap, and how the old gold sitting in your own [...]

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Handcrafted Takes Time (and It’s Worth the Wait)

Handcrafted Takes Time (and It’s Worth the Wait)

 It’s inevitable that quite regularly, we get a new client asking about the turnaround time for their order. Whether they’re simply excited for their new piece or need it in time for a special occasion, it makes perfect sense to want to know when your jewelry will arrive. At CMD, every single piece of jewelry is [...]

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Sterling silver Square Armor Ring worn with a mixed-metal square ring stack

The Square Armor Ring & Why Square Rings Work

Square rings have been part of the CMD vocabulary for years, but they still surprise people when they try one on. They're architectural, conversation-starting and, yes, incredibly comfortable. Here's why square rings work, how to find your fit and how I love to stack them. The Square Armor Ring takes [...]

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CMD jewelry being handmade at the workbench in the Upstate New York production studio

The Cost of Quality: What You’re Paying For

At CMD, quality isn’t just about choosing better materials. It’s about skilled hands, thoughtful design, small-batch production and making jewelry with the expectation that you’ll actually wear it. I’m breaking down why handmade jewelry costs more, what you’re paying for when you choose CMD and how [...]

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Ring Widths

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Ring Widths

A millimeter sounds tiny until you put it on your finger. From delicate 1mm bands to our wonderfully chunky 15mm Armor Ring, width can completely change how a ring looks, feels and stacks. I’m breaking down every CMD ring width, how width affects fit and how to choose the right proportions for your hand [...]

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Custom mixed metal and diamond ring stack in a CMD jewelry box

What to Expect at a Custom Jewelry Appointment

Thinking about booking an appointment with me but not quite sure what to expect? You don’t need a perfectly formed idea before we meet. Bring me a ring you love, a few screenshots, heirloom jewelry you’re ready to reimagine, or simply the feeling that you want something new. I’ll show you what happens [...]

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Matte and shiny sterling silver rings showing the difference between jewelry finishes

Matte or Shiny? How to Choose Your Finish

I’ve always been fascinated by how much a finish can change the personality of a piece. Give me the exact same sterling silver or solid gold design in matte and shiny finishes, and suddenly they can feel like two completely different pieces of jewelry. I definitely have a favorite, but there really isn’t a right answer. [...]

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Colleen Mauer jewelry design sketches and notes during the CMD design process

How an Idea Becomes a Finished Design

A finished piece of CMD jewelry rarely begins as anything more than an idea and a rough sketch. From there, we make it, wear it, adjust it and often make it all over again. Here's a look inside the collaborative process that turns one of my scribbled ideas into jewelry you can actually wear. There's something incredibly satisfying [...]

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Does Oxidized Silver Stay Black Forever?

Does Oxidized Silver Stay Black Forever?

Oxidized silver won't stay black forever. Friction, water, oils and everyday wear can gradually reveal the brighter silver underneath, especially on rings and bracelets. The good news? Fading is completely normal, and there are ways to care for your jewelry, preserve the finish and even bring the black [...]

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The Case for Investing in Solid Gold Jewelry | Colleen Mauer Designs

The Case for Investing in Solid Gold Jewelry

Solid gold costs more than gold-fill, so when is it actually worth the investment? For me, the answer is about more than having something precious. Solid gold can be worn for decades, repaired, passed down and even transformed into something completely new. Here’s why I think it can be worth choosing for [...]

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Gold-Filled vs. Plated vs. Vermeil Jewelry

Gold-Filled vs. Plated vs. Vermeil Jewelry

I’m all about quality, durability, and style. When I began designing, my goal was to create classic, elegant jewelry that would be long-lasting and affordable. But what exactly is the difference between gold-filled, gold-plated and gold vermeil jewelry? And why do I choose to use gold-fill in my designs? [...]

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