Artist: Danielle Cadef, North Carolina
Materials: sterling and fine silver, recycled 14k gold, lodolite, aquamarine, tourmaline, sunstone, sapphire, topaz, Mexican fire opal
Size: 8.5

Artist Statement: What started out as an impulse buy of a handful of lodolite quartz, sparked the inspiration for my battle ring this year. They reminded me of algae covered rivers and sargassum choked beaches. I wanted to create a little aquatic world around the lodolite, selected one of my favorites out of the bunch and started sketching. With the ocean always at the forefront of my mind, I wanted to make something that was a little bit of sea treasure, a little mermaid’s talisman, and a reminder of the worlds within. The biggest challenge was to create a removable setting at the top (that could be worn as a pendant) and still have a wearable ring without the top stone. Inside the setting are topaz and sapphire embedded in a pebbly silver cave. The outside of the ring is textured and encrusted with various stones, silver and gold pebbles and barnacles.

Artist Bio: Danielle Cadef Designs is committed to the adornment of those that appreciate individualism. Each piece is created to be an extension of the wearer. Every jewelry collection utilizes recycled metals (when possible), stones, fossils, recycled gemstones and found objects, in interesting ways. Her designs are inspired by the ocean, birds- their colors, textures, shapes, calls and habits, and the flora and fauna of the southeastern US. All jewelry is handmade in her home studio in Durham, NC.

This ring was part of Battle of the Rings: Ring Smackdown 2024, an online exhibition and competition. View the entire collection , view the matches , and learn more .