the e.g.etal ring

Here is your chance to commission a ring.

Well, in a way. We are commissioning a ring and would like you to help us write the brief. Visit the e.g.etal facebook page and answer six questions that can be found in the album titled the e.g.etal ring. By answering the questions you’ll be in with a chance to win a $250 e.g.etal voucher.

These are questions that we ask all clients in the initial consultation stage of having a ring made. They help us (and our artists) to determine the aesthetic, technical and practical considerations of the ring you will eventually wear. The formal qualities of the ring articulate a meaning that is original, beautiful and lasting—they are yours. Your individual responses will form a whole, a portrait of e.g.etal and a brief for our artists.

This brief, based on the collated responses, will be delivered to our artists who will each design a ring in response. We will bring a selection of these designs back to you and you will decide which ring will be commissioned and made by the artist in precious metals and gemstones. The ring will find a home at e.g.etal, becoming a quintessential piece in our collection and in the collection of the artist.

These questions will be open for all to answer until Tuesday 17 July. If you don’t have Facebook, then feel free to view the questions here and then send us an email (info@egetal.com.au) with your responses…

Metal (18ct yellow, white or rose gold or platinum)…
This precious metal will form the basis for the ring. Gold has a long and rich history in jewellery. 18ct gold and platinum are employed for their strength and beauty. When choosing the colour of the metal it’s important to consider how it will look against your skin tone and how it will relate to the colour of the gem/s that you have in mind. If there is other jewellery that you regularly wear it may also be a good idea to think about how it will sit with this jewellery. Metal can be polished or given a matte treatment. Polished gold is more traditional in its appearance, whereas a matte finish takes on a more natural and handmade look—be sure to let us know if you have a preference in this regard too.

Gemstones (choose any colour you like)…
Precious gemstones are mesmerising in their beauty. This image shows a few possibilities in terms of colour but don’t let this limit your imagination. Almost any colour that you can conceive has been replicated by nature over the course of millennia in the form of a gem. So when it comes to choosing a colour anything is possible. Be it a classic white diamond or an iridescent tourmaline, there are certain factors to consider. Think about how the colour of the stone/s will relate to the colour of the metal. If you have your heart set on multiple stones then think about the desired combination and how these will work together. A colour could also represent something personal or significant to you. Your choice may be determined by your birthstone. Or it could just be your favourite colour.

A large solitaire or a cluster of smaller stones…
A large solitaire (solitaire in jewellery terms refers to a ring with a single precious stone) can be a showstopper while a group of smaller stones set together will reveal an equal beauty as the eye slowly passes over them. A solitaire is generally a more traditional choice. Multiple, smaller stones can be chosen to represent something personal or significant and to tell a story. The number of stones could represent the number of years spent with a partner (with a new stone added each year) or different coloured stones could be chosen to represent kids or grandkids. And of course you could combine these choices and have your feature stone complimented or framed by a few smaller additions.

Simple and minimal or embellished and decorative…
The aesthetic considerations of your ring are up to you. Your personal style will often determine the level of detail included in the ring. Do you like understated and uncluttered design? Or are you more drawn to carefully considered and applied details? Sometimes it is a good exercise to think about the art, design, fashion and architecture that you find appealing—think about how a general style could be translated into a ring. Ultimately, techniques to embellish (such as engraving and inlaying metals) can be used heavily or in earnest to achieve a look that sits anywhere between.

Clean and ordered lines or organic and casual lines…
Straight lines in a ring can take on a structured and precise look while organic lines in a design can lend it a natural and relaxed profile. Organic designs often draw attention to the process of their making—and their handmade nature—whereas cleaner designs offer a more traditional ‘finished’ look. The design you are drawn to may be a reflection of your own style or it may simply speak to an aesthetic you are drawn to for some deeper reason that you can’t explain.

Delicate and fine or bold and chunky…
While this may seem like an aesthetic choice, it also raises practical considerations. If you will be wearing this ring every day and will be using your hands for considerable physical tasks that may result in the ring being knocked somewhat, then a more solid design may be necessary. More delicate designs often take on a more feminine appearance; however, the setting and contours of a physically bolder design can achieve a look that is as demure and feminine as a finer design.