June 2013
18 karat white gold

These exquisite rings are packed with meaning and represent the couple and their relationship as well as anything I've ever done—in the generous words of the bride, the design "couldn't be more perfect or more personal."

The two major motifs on the rings are four plant species and four phases of the moon (new, one-quarter/crescent, three-quarter and full). Each plant represents the season when it blooms or fruits—acacia for spring, pomegranate for summer, elder for autumn and mistletoe for winter. Note as you hover over the detail links above that the groom's ring (pictured) is only 6mm wide, and that the bride's ring (also pictured in the main image) is only 4mm wide.

The plants pictured all have symbolic ties to matrimony and togetherness in the Kabbalistic and Druidic traditions. The groom comes by the former due to his rank in the Masonic Order, and the bride comes by the latter thanks to her Celtic heritage. More importantly, though, the plants also represent important aspects of a healthy relationship; grouped together here they represent the cycle of life, death and rebirth—much like the phases of the moon.

In addition to the cyclical import of the moon motif, the yin/yang nature of the different phases also represents the different personalities of the couple. The groom is the the darker, new phase of the moon, introspective and quiet; the more extroverted bride is the bright, full phase—the sun reflected. The couple frequently talks about how similar they are and yet so different, like two versions of the same moon. The mixture of light and dark in the crescent and three-quarter phases represent how well they understand each other and compliment one another's strengths.

Finally, the combination of the four seasons and four phases indicates the complete unending lunar and solar cycles, representing their eternal commitment to each other. Because there are twelve lunar cycles to one solar, the two motifs together serve as a reminder for the couple to not only pay attention to the day-to-day details of their relationship but also to always keep the big picture in mind. They are the passage of time and they are renewal, an excellent metaphor for a heathy and non-static relationship.

Rings