Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Deconstructing Siobhan

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I told the story of my Siobhan Perma-Stacked Stacking Ring here. Feel free to go read that old post now. I’ll put up pictures of the ring while I await your return. I might sing to myself too.

The Siobhan Ring, shown front and back.
La la la la la la la.
© Wendy Brandes 2007-2009

As you can see/have read, the Siobhan Ring is a single ring made up of 10 skinny stacking rings, attached at the back. With the Siobhan Ring, you don’t have to worry about keeping track of 10 skinny rings, plus you have a conversation piece. If someone admires your “stacking rings,” take the ring off carefully, as if it were really separate rings, and then hold it up by one band to maximize the surprise element. People jump when I do that. Well, I pinch them really hard at the same time. That might also cause jumping. I kid about the pinching! Maybe.

From a conceptual standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to deconstruct the Siobhan Ring and sell the teeny rings separately. Defeats the whole purpose of “they’re stacking rings, but not really!”, doesn’t it? But I did deconstruct it for y’all because I know that some of you would like a piece of WendyB jewelry and just can’t afford the big pieces. And we all know I like big pieces! There were absolutely no sexual overtones in that last sentence, by the way.

A lot of my big pieces (heh) use 1/2 an ounce to a full ounce of gold and are set with over 100 stones. I might as well give you a little jewelry education here. Doing a one-off, handmade piece in the U.S. is anywhere from 2 to 10 times as expensive as stamping out the same piece by the hundreds or thousands in an Asian factory. The same price difference applies to setting stones. For some reason, folks are shocked when I explain that I pay to set each stone. I buy the stones and then I pay to have them set. Two steps. The stones don’t jump on the piece by themselves. It’s not like one two-millimeter-wide diamond says to the other 199 diamonds of assorted sizes: “This ring is a go. Take your proper places. Hey! You one-millimeters! Stop goofing around. Okay! We’re going in!” Or maybe people think I sprinkle the stones on like salt, and whatever sticks, sticks. Doesn’t happen that way. Pieces like this 140-stone Cleves Ring are set by a guy who uses a magnifying glass to see what he’s doing, while he handles one-millimeter-wide stones with tweezers. Don’t get me wrong. If you want to order 500 Cleves Rings, I will happily — and by necessity — use inexpensive overseas labor. Just let me know when you’re ready to place that order. In the meantime, you’ll have to live with spectacular, handmade jewelry that is limited edition, locally made and personally approved by me.

Going back to the rings — I’ve seen other gold stacking rings that I believe could be crunched up into a ball without much effort. My rings are superior. That’s the truth. They feel good on your hand, because I make sure all my rings have a pleasant heft to them. The lowest priced one is going to be $200. How much are the others? I’m still figuring it out. I just got them in! You can email me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com and ask. I have eight styles available — only one of each for now. If rings aren’t your thing, I have other pieces for under $500 on my site, especially in silver. You can sort any collection or category by lowest-to-highest price. Try it, you’ll like it.

Siobhan Stacking Ring with six diamonds
Siobhan Stacking Ring with six tsavorites (green garnets)

Siobhan Stacking Ring with ruby

The plain gold ones can all be purchased separately.
Click to enlarge and see the different shapes and engravings.
© Wendy Brandes 2007-2009

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Comments

  3. I hoping to try on some of your pieces while I’m there so I know what I’m saving up for!

    Luv
    Poochie

  4. You have the most beautiful jewelry, Wendy. When I win the lottery, I am buying a sh*tload.

  6. I sat down and went through your store a few days ago and was blown away. Not only are a talented at spinning a yarn, you’re not so bad with gold and diamonds as well! In all seriousness, your jewelry is totally beautiful. I may have to take up stripping and purchase some.

  9. oooo lovely delicate baubles. me likey very much, even though a grad student’s gotta just dream from afar 😉

  12. Hi there-they are soo fabulously unique, its a great pleasure and privilege to own one of your pieces!

  15. what an interesting post. i actually had no idea how fine jewellery is made.
    also, love that I might be able to afford some WB in a few paycheques time!!
    Make a ring with some Sapphires! Also, you might love that my two sisters are called Ruby and Emerald…
    xx

  17. I love rings made up of lots of slim bands – but I normally only see them in silver. I love this one.

  19. It’s always interesting to learn details about what someone does for a living. Jewelry design and manufacturing fascinate me, so this post was really a great read.

    I love those Siobhan rings.

  20. Miss J thinks its too bad WendyB can’t sprinkle diamonds like salt. That would be fun and magical, like fairy dust for gazillionaires.

    Lovely rings, stacked or deconstructed.

  24. The Siobhan ring is gorge! love the first two images of post. that ring is so me! Wendy you are so talented and love the names you pick for each piece.They really suit the designs.
    Muah x
    Marian

  25. What–no WendyB for Target anytime soon? 😛

    I started my utmost respect for craftsmen when I pathetically attempted to make jewelry. All I can say is you’re brave. All of those machines scare me.

    P.S. Those rings are GORGEOUS. STUNNING. MAGNIFICIENT.