The inspiration:
A place of peace, a clearing in the forest, a moment to breathe. A one-of-a-kind sculpted and fabricated ring, that celebrates a soothing, ethereal, one-of-a-kind stone.

The materials:
A spectacular, raindrop-shaped chrysocolla cabochon is held within a plain edge bezel, and flanked by leafy steps and lacy open work on either side of this statement ring. This sculptural setting sits atop a delicate, airy triple wire shank.

The history:
Chrysocolla looks a lot like turquoise, thanks to similar dark inclusions and veining, and can be found wherever large copper deposits occur, like Africa, France, the British isles, Australia and the southwestern US. While lower on the Mohs hardness scale (measuring 2-4 out of 10), chrysocolla has been celebrated as a gemstone for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians adored its vivid, cool colour, and referred to chrysocolla as a "wise stone", believing it to protect and support the mind during negotiations. The ancient Greeks used chrysocolla not only as a gemstone, but as an ingredient in the solder used to create gold jewellery, while Renaissance painters used chrysocolla as a paint pigment.

The process:
I have recycled most of the silver used to make this ring; melting sterling scrap down to form silver ingots, flattening and drawing the silver down to plate (and sometimes wire) using hammers and my rolling mill, and then using this newly reclaimed silver to create my work. This chrysocolla is securely set in a simple bezel against a solid backplate to protect the stone. Its beautiful, deep turquoise and black surface is marked by a subtle pocket of dark, clear quartz (on the lacework-side of the ring.) One one side of the stone, 2 silver petals melt downwards to connect with the 3 separate wires of the shank. On the other side, lacy silver arcs curve back to meet the wires, now connected in a solid shank. A subtle patina brings out its details of construction and contrasts the bright polish throughout. The triple-wire shank measures approximately 2.5mm wide at the bottom of the ring, widening to 8mm wide at its split side, and 17mm wide at the lacy side. This ring is US size 8.5. The "saddle" shaped shank is incredibly comfortable to wear and helps to stabilize the top of the ring against spinning when it fits well on the finger.

** Because this stone has already been set, and due to the complexity of its construction, this ring is not resizable, however I can include a silicone ring sizer that can take it down approximately one half size if you would like to snug up the fit. Simply leave me a note at checkout and I will include it free of charge.

The details:

• Ring height (from finger to top of stone): approximately 5 mm

• Top of ring size: approximately 22 mm x 22 mm (the truly flat section of the ring, before it starts to curve, is about 12mm wide)

• Stone cut & size: natural chrysocolla cabochon, 22 mm x 12 mm

• Ring size: US 8.5, 2.5 mm wide shank at bottom

• Recycled components: top of ring construction

• Stone source: Pierre Rouge, Marieville, Québec

My promise:
All of my jewelry is made by me, by hand, in my little home studio and will be shipped to you as shown, beautifully packaged and ready for gift-giving to someone special (like yourself!) I am a life-long artist and designer, and I take great care and pride in creating one of a kind jewels that evolve from my own design, emotion and inspiration, rather than trend, imitation or artifice. It means the world to me that you've witnessed my work - thank you for being here, and for shopping and supporting handmade!