Xiao Chuan Zhang / Su Kroker

Colourful, soft and organic...

...or stark, sharp and cool, Chinese artist Xiao Chuan Zhang can do it all. To view more of her work, visit her portfolio blog (click the 1, 2 and 3 links at the bottom of each page to navigate).

Bonus link:
For beaded rings crocheted with silver and gold rather than thread, visit the Netherlands' Su Kroker. You can also see her work on her other site, Schmuckvirus.

Even more jewellery:

• Annabelle Jones (Texas) - silver crochet


• Beth Morris (California) - hollow dots


• Stefan Witjes (Netherlands) - stainless steel

Cast of Vices / Atelier Vieux Carré

If you pop one of these (on your finger) and go numb, well, maybe you need a bigger size. For a safe dose of benzodiazepines, nicotine and other substances, check out L.A.'s Cast of Vices.

Bonus link:
Florida's Atelier Vieux Carré has a modernized version of the poison ring in 14k gold, with a well-hidden hinge that hides a compartment roomy enough for most pills.

Even more jewellery:

• Colleen Wolstenholme (Nova Scotia) - metal pills


• Aline Berdichevsky (Spain) - cool slabs


• Real Fake Watches (Germany) - leather bracelets

Jade Mellor / Qeelin

Spend your day getting jaded. Jade Mellor creates sculptural resin rings, inspired by fossils, minerals, geometry and more.

Above, some atypical button rings from the UK jeweller.

Bonus link: for actual jade, Paris-based Qeelin has this dragon ring. The brand, co-founded by Hong Kong designer Dennis Chan, aims to blend the "essence of China's cultural heritage with the excellence of French craftsmanship."

Even more jewellery:

• Laura Jayne Strand (UK) - modern & sculptural


• Yi Liu (China) - mourning brooches


• Margareta Niel (Italy) - moons & spirals

Liron Braker / Donna Penoyer

While this month's events have made us all too familiar with the destructive forces of nature, Israel's Liron Braker focusses on a positive natural force: wind energy. Inspired by the principles of sailing, these rings evoke travel and motion in leather printed with cartographic designs.

Bonus link: speaking of sailing, this piece by Pennsylvania's Donna Penoyer depicts a "water journey" that represents her creative process. What's especially cool is that the ring is also a wearable whistle!

Even more jewellery:

• Stefan Wiessmeyer (Germany) - marine animals


• Uni.co (Japan) - dog charms


• Jay Brigland (California) - glass balls

Sanna Svedestedt / Marcel van Kan

Anyone who's ever twirled her hair around a finger has worn a version of these at some point. Sanna Svedestedt's hair rings are a nod to a 19th century craft that has since faded; this modern version is actually made of synthetic fibers and laquer.

Above, the Gothenburg designer's "wood diamonds."

Bonus link:
Here's a couple more faux diamonds from Dutch product and accessories designer Marcel van Kan. Word geeks should be sure to check out his crossword brooch!

Even more jewellery:

• Rebekah Vinyard (Texas) - metal & mustaches


• FAUX/real (New York) - modern deco


• Johanne Riss (Belgium) - sleek bars

Cata Cruz / Sara Weinstock

I've posted alphabet rings before — but never in Sanskrit. Chile's Cata Cruz based these rings on the seven major chakras, which are wheel-like energy centres in the body, according to Hindu belief. The rings are embedded with gemstones in the colour associated with that particular chakra.

Bonus link:
For more symbolic rings with South Asian motifs, like hamsas and Buddha and this golden "om" ring, see California's Sara Weinstock.

Even more jewellery:

• Prana Jewelry (Texas) - spiritual symbols


• PHILOS-o-FACE (Australia) - philosophers' faces


• Kyoko Honda (New York) - gold & briolettes

O-shan (Shelley Leemor) / Rachel Dorris

You can stop saving up for that tropical vacation. Israel's O-shan (Shelley Leemor) brings paradise to you with these beguiling blossom rings.

Bonus link: on the opposite end of the petal spectrum is this ring by UK jeweller Rachel Dorris, featuring tiny, demure, "interleaved hollow silver vessels" that "represent the pleasing shape of a tulip flower."

Even more jewellery:

• Mana Kawasaki (Australia) - flowers & birds


• Erin Daly (Scotland) - modern leaves


• Julie Sanford (Michigan) - metal & stone

Elizabeth and James / Nissa Wegienek

Ring-lovers have the advantage — we can wear two-finger rings, like these beauties by Elizabeth and James. Do you see necklace-lovers wearing two-neck necklaces? That's what I thought. Then again, if anybody could wear a two-neck necklace, it might be twins and former child stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who are the designers behind this New York label. You've come a long way, Michelle Tanner.

Bonus link: speaking of twins, here's another New York designer and her "twin ring." Wear it twisted or straight, stretched across a single finger or several. By Nissa Wegienek.

Even more jewellery:

• Parliament of Two (Australia) - vintage illustrations


• Emilie Morris (UK) - skulls & shields


• Michele Berman (New York) - classical gold

Marcella Ferretti / O.T.T. by Lia T / BBJUD

Germany's Marcella Ferretti plays with the familiar and utilitarian texture of reflector lights, accentuating their jewel-like properties.

This similar, flashlight-esque ring gets its sparkle from synthetic topaz; meanwhile, the pink and white ones lose their sparkle in a powder coating. Rings by Lia Tabrah of O.T.T. by Lia T.

Bonus link: Israeli jeweller Yehudith (or Judith) Ben Bag of BBJUD has recycled reflector rings in numerous colours set in both gold and silver. I love the vibrant green of the one pictured here.

Even more jewellery:

• Amuck Design (Missouri) - recycled signs


• Nicola Bannerman (Australia) - clean & contemporary


• Gauvreau (Quebec) - textured twotone

Joanna Nealey / ASL

More fingers, you say? Yes, just a pinch more. "Pinch" and "hand-in-hand" rings by Maryland jeweller Joanna Nealey. Be sure to visit her production portfolio for gorgeous work in enamel!

Bonus link: want to learn the word "jewellery" in American Sign Language? Visit this ASL dictionary! Note what she points at and what comes first — whoever invented this sign had his or her priorities straight.

Even more jewellery:

• Rejoice the Hands (California) - metal & stone


• Meow Girl (Australia) - charming animals


• Kidnap / AHKAH (Japan) - dainty gold

Avril O'Neil / David H. Clemons

Maybe it's because she's plastered but Avril O'Neil gives us the finger...

... as well as some knuckledusters. Visit the UK artist's site for many interesting conceptual pieces, not all jewellery.

Bonus link: finger-like in itself is this ring, titled "A Measure of Balance," from Arkansas metalsmith David H. Clemons' "Finger Devices" series (you'll find it under "devices" on his site, not under "jewellery").

Even more jewellery:

• Inca Starzinsky (UK) - hand shadows


• Erica Huuva (Sweden) - modern silver


• Melissa Huff (Illinois) - organic enamel

Stefania Lucchetta / Korčula (Lindley Bertin)

Set fingers to stun(ning). Italy's Stefania Lucchetta turns tubes and lattices into jewellery fit for the space age. Rings in titanium and bio-compatible resin from her "Sponges" and "Crystal" collections.

Bonus link:
For more of an everyday lattice ring, check out Texas jeweller Lindley Bertin and her "Laura" ring in yellow or rose gold. Available in her shop, Korčula.

Even more jewellery:

• Yoolhee Ko (Belgium) - cool & futuristic


• Gretta Hazel (Australia) - lace imprints


• Brandon Knaster (Colorado) - sleek rings

Orotrasparente (Paola Mirai) / O.R.B. Ring

Orotrasparente is a collection borne of four years of research. Italian artist Paola Mirai (who takes part of her identity, mirai, from the Japanese word for "future") fused traditional goldsmithing techniques with modern industrial materials to create this "totally hypoallergenic jewellery with two distinct souls, one classical and the other technological."

Bonus link: for another marriage of jewellery and tech, Michigan's Hybra has this "O.R.B." ring that flips into a wireless headset.

Even more jewellery:

• Judith Hender (California) - clear lucite


• Mihaela Zvinca (Romania) - photos & paint


• Short Story (Australia) - Japanese paper

Charlotte Kimber / Carrie Haase / Noritamy

My math teacher for grades 8 and 9 (maybe the best I ever had) had his class in room 314. In honour of him and Pi Day (3.14), here's a cluster of circles from UK jeweller Charlotte Kimber's "Tentacles" series.

Above, more circles from Chicago's Carrie Haase.

Bonus link:
A ring with nested circles from Israel's Noritamy, aka design duo Elinor Avni (who trained as an architect) and Tammar Edelman (who studied art and jewellery).

Even more jewellery:

• Dianne Saad (UK) - circles & curves


• Vivi Touloumidi (Greece) - organic & sculptural


• Pazit Keidar (Israel) - modern gold

István Böjte / Johanna Brierley

These days, I can't seem to remember anything unless I leave myself a note. Yes. Now... why did I bring that up? While I try to remember, check out these awesome sticky-note rings by Hungarian designer István Böjte.

Bonus link: here's a stick-y ring of a different sort. "Stick" ring by Winnipeg's Johanna Brierley, who was inspired by the scrap metal on a jeweller's bench.

Even more jewellery:

• LJLH Designs (Michigan) - paper & beads


• Reiko Ishiyama (New York) - fragile silver


• Marc Alary (France) - monkeys & panthers

Ludivine Huteau / Victoria Buckley

In her "Sensations" series, French artist Ludivine Huteau tries to capture the essence of the haiku by creating minimalist work that focuses on a single detail or technique while provoking surprise.

   I tried to say that

in the form of a haiku

   but, alas, I failed.

Bonus link:
Australian jeweller Victoria Buckley's "Posie Rings" are inscribed with bits of poetry or quotes or whatever words you may like.

Even more jewellery:

• Victoria Contreras Flores (Spain) - poetry necklaces


• Coccola (Germany) - personalized text


• Josie Adele (California) - fluid metal

Joanne Huang / Anna Frohn

Despite being comprised of hundreds of black holes, these rings are not from this jeweller's "Black Hole" collection. Instead, you'll find these silver, silk and PVC mesh sheet creations in "Cover & Discover."

This particular hole looks like a whole lotta hurt. For many more interesting pieces, visit Australia's Joanne Huang.

Bonus link:
This ring from German artist Anna Frohn's "tube" series also celebrates the hole. Her site is still in mid-construction but there are several pieces available for viewing right now.

Even more jewellery:

• Kate Smith (UK) - craters & blossoms


• Ai Kawauchi (Japan) - translucent pods


• Podbielscy-Kowalscy (Poland) - metal & mesh

Angela O'Keefe / Adreani

After a dip in the Dead Sea, Angela O'Keefe was inspired by how the salt crystals dried on her skin and sparkled like gems. Thus was born this collection featuring real salt crystals, resin, pigment and silver.

Above, rings from the Scottish jeweller's "sculptural" series. I wonder if it's just a coincidence that they look like salt and pepper shakers.

Bonus link: for more crystals and resin, check out Italy's Adreani Gioielli, who are all about glam, Swarovsvki-studded jewellery in black, white and clear (and the occasional spot of colour).

Even more jewellery:

• Helena Lindholm (Sweden) - salt & hair


• Dinosaur Toes (Virginia) - quartz & brass


• Marinoni (Italy) - beads & crystals