A Ring Thing

.... if Gollum had a blog, what would he blog about?...

source: http://abowlofstupid.com/wp-content/2007/09/gollum-precious.jpg
..... why rings, of course! What better way to celebrate one's own personal style and taste than a favorite ring?What could be more glorious than a celebration of all things ring-related? Elated by finger jewelry: definitely something we have in common, my precious. Friends, do you feel the same?

This is a post I hope to run more often as a feature, and I hope some of you would be willing to share some pictures and stories about your most treasured digital decorations or other joyful jewels. Here, just to get things started, are some of the rings I keep in regular rotation. Some are antique and special, others mass-produced chain knockoffs, but all of them work for my personal life and style.

The two striped rings on the top row (black and white with gold tone) are ForLove 21 finds under $10. They're rounded, solid baubles that liven up a plain ensemble and stand against my legendary clumsiness. (You've likely encountered a girl like me - you know, tripping over her own pointy-toed stilettoes that she loves but can't quite handle, falling *up* the stairs, bashing her hand against the next step, recovering to find that she's broken her necklace with her elbow and dropped her work papers down to the bottom floor, then looking up and seeing her boss smirking with delight and, worse, pity.)

Between those is a huge faux pearl edged by thick columns crusted with hematite crystals, set in sterling silver. It lends a kind of throwback Hepburn opulence to black clothes and a clear manicure. The dark steel-colored flower is a brooch and isn't often broken out, but I see potential, maybe worn in the hair or on the lapel of a blazer.

The next ring is a great find from C'est Magnifique near Washington Square Park in Manhattan. The picture leaves something to be desired ... but it's a fierce piece that begs that question, Are you tough enough?? (Some days I'm definitely not!) It is a super-realistic glass brown eye set in partially oxidized sterling silver with a bulbous little spider curled possessively around it. I believe the shop is a family business, and the gentleman who helped me with the ring really took the time to figure out what the right piece for me might be. In the end, this won out because it reminded me of the Greek allegory of Arachne. This boastful young weaver declared that she could weave better than Athena herself. The goddess of wisdom and innovation challenged the wretched girl to a weaving contest and summarily kicked her booty, using fleece of cloudwool and colors from the sunset. Arachne, struck by shame and terror, hung herself - but Athena took pity on her and gave her new life as a spider, free to weave beautiful webs for all time. The ring and the story always somehow fill me with a creepy, portentous sense that creativity is vital to fulfillment, and that art is crucial to human life. Pretty good reminder on a mundane Monday. Stories of some of the others to come ....

What are some of your most treasured trinkets? As I get everything up and running, I'd love to feature some of your jewels and share stories of how they found their way into - and jazz up - your life.

And Frodo Baggins can just back off.

xo MSW