History in Hand: The Art of Designing an Ancient Coin Ring

Creating a bespoke ring is a deeply personal and intricate process.  We recently had the honor of designing a one-of-a-kind men's statement ring celebrating a rare coin from 135CE.  The client’s vision was for a substantial, special occasion piece, not only showcasing his rare artifact but also standing as a statement of personal history and style.  We drew upon this vision by infusing our design with elements that would highlight the coin’s ancient beauty while adding a contemporary feeling. 

The process began with an exploration of various design details, each model incorporating different elements, including bezels, halos of orbs, halos of diamonds, colored stones, and side diamonds. Ultimately, the client chose a striking halo of green diamonds, which perfectly complemented the coin's beautiful patina, and a further addition of bezel set pear shape diamonds on the shoulders of the ring. 

Moving on the next critical phase: wax modeling. We created eight different prototypes to test for scale and weight, allowing us to visualize the ring's proportions and make necessary adjustments. This stage is vital in custom jewelry design as it bridges the gap between concept and reality, ensuring the piece will be both comfortable to wear, structurally sound, and visually stunning.

Creating bespoke fine jewelry is a collaborative, creative and intellectual endeavor. In this instance, our client granted us considerable creative freedom, sharing his overarching concept and entrusting us with the details. This trust allowed us to fully explore and address the many nuanced design challenges inherent in designing around a focal piece as prominent as an ancient artifact.  

Our approach was to honor the coin’s antiquity and craft a piece that exudes timeless permanence and refined, detailed craftsmanship.