Jewelry Inspired by the Maine Coast                                                                          Collection Index        Previous        Next

The Sea Rose Ring

  It was a simple cottage built by my grandfather among the dunes on a white sand beach here in Maine. It had a large stone fireplace to keep the chill away during summer storms. It had seasonal running water and electricity which came on a single wire strung on wooden poles. When the wind blew, the wires whistled, making ghostly sea music on gray windy days. My grandfather brought in many rich loads of brown topsoil and my grandmother planted flowers, thousands of flowers in an amazing profusion of color which she tended daily. The yard was surrounded by a white picket fence. On three sides, dune grass came up to the edge of the fence. In the front the Atlantic Ocean swept in on a smooth flat beach. Each spring she replaced her annuals. Every summer the sea roses came to life in white and pink nestled among green leaves that grew along the outside of the fence. They were tenacious happy flowers, that loved the sandy soils, wanting more than anything else to be allowed to come inside the fence, but were convinced twice a week by a push-reel lawn mower to stay on their side.

  In memory of my grandmother’s garden and life among the flowers we created the Sea Rose Ring. She would have loved this ring.

  The detail of Sea Rose Ring is carved in deep relief. There is one large Rosa Rugosa (sea rose) in full bloom and five delicate buds partially open on each side. The ring is made to have the lowest possible profile, where the arc of the shoulders of the ring continues in an almost unbroken line into the curvature of the low profile bufftop gem. We made our Sea Rose Ring with stones in shades of green, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, pastel pink, sky blue, heather gray, and black. Each gem is a specially cut double-sided cabochon set so low within its setting the finger actually touches the polished underside of the gem. A nice feature which creates a bond of intimacy between the wearer and gem.

  The low profile also accomplishes another important part of the desire equation, which is comfort. The ring becomes part of you, part of your life without interfering or complicating. You can put it on and wear it*, accept the compliments, enjoy it while never having to worry about it again. Enduring…like a sea rose.

*You may wear it in almost all situations. With normal wear scratching and abrasions can be anticipated.

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Cross Jewelers - Portland, Maine

sard onyx, lapis, lapis lazuli, peruvian opal, chrysoprase, turquoise, chalcedony, signet ring, beach rose, sea rose ring, cottage