After months of secretly sketching designs with shells, pebbles and sea glass we had collected together from beaches around the world, I settled on the form of a simple band, cast from a strip of kelp. Casting is a process in which plaster is used to surround an object. We love the sea, so I naturally found engagement-ring inspiration from the ocean. Kelp, Cast in Gold, and the Tangle of Our Lives She then said, “Now imagine a diamond in this setting, for your engagement ring.” That ring felt like an extension of my body when I put it on, and I could never imagine it other than the way it was intended to be, with a natural purple sapphire.ġ1. It’s extremely rare to find such a stunning natural gem that doesn’t need to be treated.” She handed it to me, and I put it on. It came out of the earth exactly as you see it. The woman helping me said: “Oh, that’s a very special ring. I noticed this gorgeous unique ring in the case and asked to try it on. I obliged and tried on diamonds, and while they were sparkly and stunning, none of them spoke to me. But of course, when looking at engagement rings you are ushered over to the diamonds. My husband (now) and I popped into a local jeweler, who coined themselves “jewelry architects.” I thought maybe their sense of design would speak to me. I knew I wanted something unique, but really had no clue what that meant. Now when I wear my engagement ring, I carry with me a constant reminder of our extraordinary bond, our affinity for nature, and our connection to the past. An emerald’s inclusions are called its “jardin,” French for garden. I have never seen another like it, although surely it was loved in an era long past. The ring we found was perfect: an Art Deco era piece with a large, deep green marquis cut emerald and small old cut diamonds on the band.
Once we settled at home in Atlanta, we searched for a ring that would reflect our unique bond, our love of nature and our appreciation for history. When Brandon proposed atop a sandstone cliff in Canyonlands National Park in Utah, my “ring” was the ancient rock formations that surrounded us. We grow our own food, hike through the North Georgia woods any chance we get, and fill our home with orchids of all varieties. We also share a deep appreciation for the natural world. My partner, Brandon, and I value the history and energy of objects we bring into our lives and our home.