• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

  • HOME
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • FAQ
  • CONTACT

Jewel of the Month: Chunky Juana Skull Ring

September 14, 2012 by WendyB

A couple of years ago, I gave gorgeous blogger/designer Stacy Lomman one of my sterling-silver Juana skull necklaces as a birthday gift.  The eyes are white sapphires.

My Juana skull necklace in silver. Click to purchase.

I have a number of Juana pieces. They are named after Juana “la Loca,” the 16th-century queen of Castile and a daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand, the “Catholic Monarchs” who united the Spanish kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. Legend has it that after her husband’s death, Juana refused to be parted from him and, while traveling through Spain, frequently opened the coffin to kiss the deceased. I question the veracity of that story, but it still inspired my first Juana piece — the 18K gold, diamond and white sapphire Juana peekaboo skull ring that I made in 2006.

The Juana peekaboo skull ring, closed. Click to purchase.

The Spanish-inspired Juana designs have a Mexican accent, because the skull is modeled after Mexican Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls.

The Juana peekaboo skull ring, open. Click to purchase.

Dia de los Muertos has nothing to do with the Juana story, but I like the cuteness of the big-eyed sugar skulls and I was in the mood for a cute skull. I figured the story of Juana was scary enough without a scary skull. I like mixing up influences in my jewelry. Even though I’m often inspired by history, I’m not doing historical reproductions, so I let my imagination run wild.

Since making the original peekaboo ring, I’ve done Juana lockets, necklaces and skinny rings. But my favorite kind of jewelry to wear is a big ring. I noticed that was Stacy’s preference too, so I borrowed the Juana necklace back from her in order to turn it into a chunky ring. Here is the result — September’s Jewel of the Month.

Chunky Juana skull ring in sterling silver with white sapphire eyes. $800. Made to order. Click to purchase.

The diameter of the ring’s top is about 7/8″. I made sure the base of the ring was a shape that I’d want to use again. I can put anything on top of that base — a heart, an initial, gemstones, you name it.

Another view of the ring. Photo by SquareMoose. Click to purchase.

The silver has been hammered to get the texture you see in the photos.

Here’s how the ring looks on Stacy.

She has nice long fingers!

I can make the chunky Juana skull ring — as seen above, in sterling-silver with white sapphire eyes — in your size for $800. I can also do it in 18K white, rose or yellow gold with the gem of your choice for eyes. Holla at me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com to place a custom order.

You might also like
The Sulky Necklace in Action; Gangsta Boo's Nameplate
We Have a Winner!
Photo Flashback to Zang Toi's Showroom

Filed Under: jewel of the month, my designs, rings, silver, skulls

Previous Post: « A Mustache’s Passing
Next Post: Shontelle Shows Two Clemence Rings Are Even Better Than One »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristin says

    September 14, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    That piece is perfection!

    • WendyB says

      September 14, 2012 at 9:33 pm

      Thank you!

  2. Audi says

    September 14, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    Wow, what a great design! I love my Juana necklace, it’s one of the staples of my jewelry collection.

    • WendyB says

      September 14, 2012 at 9:33 pm

      I’m so glad!

  3. Desiree says

    September 15, 2012 at 4:28 am

    Woah I kinda hope Juana’s creepy story is true, coz your ring design is incredible and it would be an amazing story to tell:)

    • WendyB says

      September 15, 2012 at 5:21 pm

      You can still tell the Juana story even if it’s a myth! I authorize that. 🙂

  4. oxinsocks says

    September 15, 2012 at 7:58 am

    Great ring! Reminds me that I never, never want to be a princess, not even for the princess’ jewels.

  5. Christine says

    September 15, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Wow, that is so cool!

  6. Amber of Butane Anvil says

    September 15, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    What a wonderful mix of cute and creepy, and your original Juana blog post was fantastic. I especially love big rings too, and the peekaboo pieces make my heart go pitter-pat.

  7. Larissa Landinez says

    September 16, 2012 at 7:18 am

    Ciao Wendy! You’re skull collection is fantastic and very unique! Love it. stands out from the rest of skull collection.
    I am a jewelry designer as well and have my skull collection too! Have a look and would love to hear opinions!

  8. Couture Carrie says

    September 16, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Amazing rings!

    xoxox,
    CC

  9. stacy says

    September 17, 2012 at 9:30 am

    Yay!! I’m the jewel of the month! How lucky am I to have such a wonderful friend like you?? I need to say thank you every day 🙂

    PS — I will get a manicure for a better photo!

Primary Sidebar

MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ARCHIVES

CATEGORIES

Facebook Pagelike Widget

POPULAR TOPICS

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe for Email updates.
* indicates required

Original jewelry designs, photos and text are © Wendy Brandes 2007-2016. All rights reserved.

© 2016 · FOODIE PRO THEME COPYRIGHT BY · SHAY BOCKS GENESIS FRAMEWORK · BUILT ON THE WORDPRESS