Ancient Silver Drachm Zeus/Heracles Coin in 18 Karat Gold "Papier Mâché" Ring

This delicious ring by Eytan Brandes was actually completed back in 2019, but it was originally set with an opaque green stone. We liked the way it looked, but the stone was problematic since we weren't sure if it was green agate, jadeite or nephrite and once it was set, we couldn't test it (oops). After a lot of backy forthy, Eytan decided it was too weird to be listing a ring with an unidentified "green stone," so he popped it out* and decided it would be fun to contrast the top quality, sparkling pink rubies with their cousin from the wrong side of the tracks: a rough ruby. This kind of ruby is completely natural and completely loaded with every flaw under the sun: silk, uneven color, spider veins, milky streaks, fissures, fractures, you name it. We love rough rubies (and rough sapphires too). Yes, they can be hard to cut (our gemcutter does NOT love them) because you have to find enough material that isn't threatened by internal fractures, but once they're successfully cut into cabochons, they polish up beautifully and, like all rubies, they are reliably durable. Even though they're effectively opaque (because they're so chock full o'flaws), they have a lustrous depth and character that you just won't find with either naturally opaque OR transparent stones. So, having said all that, we reintroduce the Marquee Ring...

Eytan Brandes cast one of his old silver coins in 22 karat gold. It shows a beardless youth, possibly an early emperor (most of them wore beards after 117AD), as suggested by the diadem tied at the back of his neck. No clue about the image on the back. With the lettering oriented north (and upside down), you can maybe see the neck of a horned animal, but that might just be us seeing things in a Rorschach test. To frame this little homage to ancient commerce, Eytan crafted a platinum frame with four prongs on each side. The pyrite chain, which we made specifically for this pendant, has a 14 karat white gold lobster closure.* Weights & Measurements: Coin diameter: 17mm Coin thickness: varies from 1.7mm to 2.2mm Pendant total length (including top loop & bale): 32mm (1-1/4") Pendant width: 20.5mm Chain length: 16" Chain (i.e. bead) thickness: 3mm Coin weight...

A gorgeous Ethiopian opal with yellow and blue body color shows fiery sparks of red and green and, like all good opals, looks different from every angle. Eytan set it horizontally i...

This bold new 18 karat gold ring by Eytan Brandes features a custom-cut lapis in an inverted rectangular bezel. A recessed channel on each shoulder holds five bright white diamonds....

This DUBINI coin ring from the 'Empires' collection features an authentic silver coin from Thessaly, Larissa dating circa 356-342 B.C. set in 18kt yellow gold. DEPICTED ON COIN Obverse - Head of the nymph Larissa facing slighly left, hair in ampyx, wearing plain necklace...

This DUBINI coin ring from the 'Empires' collection features authentic Persepolis coins minted circa 1st century B.C. set in 18K yellow gold. The rin...

This DUBINI coin ring from the 'Empires' collection features authentic Thracian silver coin minted circa 4th century B.C. set in 18K yellow gold. The ring may be ordered in any size...

This DUBINI coin ring from the 'Empires' collection features an authentic silver coin from Mysia, Lampsakos dating circa 4th-3rd Century B.C. set in 18K yellow gold. DEPICTED ON COI...