The Amethyst Darricarrere Ring. Made from hallmarked, cast Sterling Silver and set with a rose-cut striped Amethyst showing a variety of different purple hues.

Size O - US 7.5 - can be made slightly larger. State size required during checkout.

This ring was my first attempt at carving wax to form a ring in cast silver. This process where you remove material to reveal the form you are making is fascinating. I had an idea in my head of what I wanted the ring to look like - to emulate Roger Darricarrere’s work - but as I carved, first with a scalpel and then with rotary tools and drills the piece took on a life of its own.

I’d get to a point where I was really happy then refine a bit further and remove some wax only to look at the ring from another angle and dislike it. The great thing about using wax is that you can add to it as well as remove from it, so I was able to build up those areas where I had removed too much and then refine again.

As much as I like forging silver sheet, bar and wire together to make a form, this wax carving is in some ways more exciting because the form reveals itself from a solid block as your imagination gives it form.

I already had the Amethyst, I had cut it some months previously, it was now about deciding how it should sit in the ring shank being made from the wax. I wanted it to feel as though the gem was growing from the shank, so that is why it is partially covered in silver on one side - as if the silver has not yet given up possession of the amethyst for the light to play though it. By placing the gem high over the finger, I was also able to carve channels underneath it so that light can get in and the colours shine through.

Eventually when I got the cast back, I decided to oxidise the silver so that the rough areas had light and shade and added to the altogether 3D effect.

This ring is 27mm tall, 27mm wide and 29mm deep.

SPECIFICATION

Materials: Sterling Silver
Stones: 24ct striped Rose-cut Amethyst