Horsebit Ring
The Brief
Inspired by the hardware of Western tack and memories of Tennessee summers spent horseback riding, this ring explores the intersection of personal narrative and craftsmanship. To fully realize the design, I enrolled in a jewelry fabrication course and learned the lost-wax casting process, sculpting the piece in wax before casting it in sterling silver and hand-setting the stone. By guiding the project through every stage of making, I gained a deeper understanding of form, material, and the precision required to transform an idea into a finished piece.
Development
The ring was developed through a hands-on, iterative process that combined sketching with physical prototyping in wax. Each revision refined the proportions, comfort, and visual balance between the sculptural metal form and the stone setting while ensuring the design remained manufacturable through lost-wax casting. Completing every stage of the fabrication process - from wax carving and casting to finishing and stone setting - provided valuable insight into jewelry construction and reinforced the importance of designing with both craftsmanship and production in mind.
The Final Product
The final ring transforms a personal memory into a sculptural piece of wearable design. Drawing inspiration from the hardware and functional details of Western tack, the finished form captures a sense of strength, movement, and craftsmanship through its bold silhouette and refined materiality.
Cast in sterling silver and finished by hand, the ring balances substantial volume with organic curves, creating a piece that feels both expressive and timeless. Every detail reflects the intimate process of making, from the original wax sculpture to the final polished surface, resulting in a one-of-a-kind object that celebrates the connection between design, storytelling, and skilled craftsmanship.