New project thought bubble: JRR Tolkien’s three elven rings of power recreation

[Sydneyphoenix]

I have a 1.85ct unheated Burmese Cornflower blue sapphire and am in process of replacing my 1ct heated Burmese ruby with an unheated one. Diamond prices have come down so I don’t see a problem with sourcing a good diamond with some money. Just the gold (and platinum to lesser extent) prices are up compared to a few years back. Time to think about my dream project: recreating three elven rings of Power from the JRR Tolkien universe.

Vilya (sapphire), Nenya (adamant/diamond) and Narya (ruby) rings have had different designs, from Tolkien’s original sketches, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and Amazon’s Rings of Power drama series. Badali jewellery also make their version of the rings but they are over-using prongs and not very elegant in my opinion, though I like their inclusion of air, elven leaves and fire on the paves of the rings. Likewise Rings of Power LOTR trilogy versions of these rings are not very creative. My favourite in terms of beauty in design and creativity are LOTR film versions, except I can do without full bezel surrounding the sapphire for their version of Vilya.

So my thoughts are to take the images of all the renditions of the three rings to my Sydney jeweller (there’s a good jeweller in Canberra where I am staying at the moment but rather more pricey, whereas I had good feedback from the Sydney jeweller that @Bron357 has frequented), and ask them to come up with beautiful elven-inspired design based on LOTR version but incorporating elements from other versions where appropriate. Thought I will share pictures of three rings from different media for your suggestions and feedback!


Guiliano Alves’ sketch of Narya


Tolkien’s sketches


Amazon’s Rings of Power versions


Badali’s renditions



Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy film versions

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

Cool project.

I’ve never worked with CVB but these come to mind

 

[Dreamer_D]

The vibe of these rings and especially the first Ruby remind me of my star sapphire from Cecile Raley Designs

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I wonder which one I should start first, Vilya as I have a blue sapphire ready or Nenya as Platinum prices are more reasonable compared to gold at the moment? And don’t know what the LOTR film Nenya design is really, looks as if they buried the diamond under the flower. Narya might be up first if I get to keep 1.07ct ruby I am ordering right now. That (Narya) is the one I could get the design to be really creative, given do not like the LOTR film version too much, not that Rings of Power or Badali versions are inspirational.

 

[nyquestioner]

I feel like James Meyer could provide some inspiration here as his rings contain motifs from the natural world as well as from ancient jewelry. Seems like the right vibe for you. https://jamesmeyerjewelry.com/rings/

 

[LilAlex]

I would think anything other than Tolkien's sketches would not really have any meaning, right? And those sketches above do not inspire me. There is no "classical" Elven style to refer to (at least not at Lang ).

Maybe don't confine yourself to someone else's preconceived (i.e., random) notion of what Elven "should" look like.

You can ask Gary Roe to design you something carved and engraved with leaves and cool motifs. He worked wonders for me on a project with Inken (can search spinel dragonfly ring). I know @Starstruck8 also had rings with leaf motifs made by Gary. He loves an elegant, artistic design challenge.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I would think anything other than Tolkien's sketches would not really have any meaning, right? And those sketches above do not inspire me. There is no "classical" Elven style to refer to (at least not at Lang ).

Maybe don't confine yourself to someone else's preconceived (i.e., random) notion of what Elven "should" look like.

You can ask Gary Roe to design you something carved and engraved with leaves and cool motifs. He worked wonders for me on a project with Inken (can search spinel dragonfly ring). I know @Starstruck8 also had rings with leaf motifs made by Gary. He loves an elegant, artistic design challenge.

Yeah Tolkien’s original sketches are quite generic, might have to go creative. I imagine Mr Roe is in USA, I am in Australia, that’s why I thought I should refer to renditions from different media for inspirations. I will check him out.

 

[Starstruck8]

You can ask Gary Roe to design you something carved and engraved with leaves and cool motifs. He worked wonders for me on a project with Inken (can search spinel dragonfly ring). I know @Starstruck8 also had rings with leaf motifs made by Gary. He loves an elegant, artistic design challenge.

Hmm,,, You must be thinking of someone else. I'd love a piece from Gary Roe - his combination of creative design, 3D sculpting and hand carving is unbeatable - but I don't have one. Your dragonfly ring is one of my all-time favourites. This may be the ring you are thinking of. Not mine, alas.

There is no "classical" Elven style to refer to (at least not at Lang ).

Ha ha - very good.

@SydneyPhoenix. Yes, Gary Roe is in the USA. All my rings are from local, or at least Aussie, jewellers.

 

[LilAlex]

Hmm,,, You must be thinking of someone else. I'd love a piece from Gary Roe - his combination of creative design, 3D sculpting and hand carving is unbeatable - but I don't have one. Your dragonfly ring is one of my all-time favourites. This may be the ring you are thinking of. Not mine, alas.

Yes, that's the one! (Or at least that "botanical" style.) Why did I think that was yours? I love all of your rings so I guess you get credit for all men's rings. Not many of us here. I'll check my original thread since I think they came on at some point.

Another thing that puts me in the mind of Elven (and I am far from an expert but read all the books as a kid and tried to sleep through the booming-crescendo soundtracks as my kids watched the movies over and over during sleepovers) are the incised Deco-era geometric motifs. There were a handful from Tiffany. I am thinking of one that is more angular but this is all I can find right now:

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Yes, that's the one! (Or at least that "botanical" style.) Why did I think that was yours? I love all of your rings so I guess you get credit for all men's rings. Not many of us here. I'll check my original thread since I think they came on at some point.

Another thing that puts me in the mind of Elven (and I am far from an expert but read all the books as a kid and tried to sleep through the booming-crescendo soundtracks as my kids watched the movies over and over during sleepovers) are the incised Deco-era geometric motifs. There were a handful from Tiffany. I am thinking of one that is more angular but this is all I can find right now:

That looks quite elegant. Just wonder how my oval 1.85ct sapphire would go with the design.

 

[LilAlex]

Or these. Can look for Gustav Manz or Paul Lantuch who have done period-revival carved rings (long ago). First one of these is a Tiffany + Kashmir but still not the one I'm looking for:

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Or these. Can look for Gustav Manz or Paul Lantuch who have done period-revival carved rings (long ago). First one of these is a Tiffany + Kashmir but still not the one I'm looking for:

I like the second picture alot!

 

[LilAlex]

I like the second picture alot!

Actually I think the 2nd 4th are the same ring -- I must have screwed up when I was uploading. Reminds me a teeny bit of the au jus well on an old cutting board .

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Actually I think the 2nd 4th are the same ring -- I must have screwed up when I was uploading. Reminds me a teeny bit of the au jus well on an old cutting board .

I think you are right.