Barbara Cohen / Lina Hernandez

Like all cocoons, this "cocoon" ring terrifies me. What's it made of? Is there something inside? Are those airholes? Eep. I just have to picture it scaled down to human hand-size to see it for what it really is: a gorgeous ring by Vancouver's Barbara Cohen.

You know what else terrifies me? Red starbursts. No, not really. Above: "Estrella" ring by Colombia's Lina Hernandez.

Bonus link: Australian jeweller Shauna Mayben Swanson shows us another great example of disctinctive simplicity with this twisted ring.

Even more jewellery:

• Stellanova Jewelry (San Francisco) - naturalist curios


• Leoworks (Brooklyn) - boldly delicate


• Purple Pomegranate (UK) - vintage buttons


• Diane Allison (Australia) - pills & pearls


• Kacey K (New York) - matte gold