Famous Jewelry Collections: THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Sunday, February 27, 2011

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Posted: 27 Feb 2011 04:55 AM PST

This projector ring is super cool! Miniature slides are incorporated into the ring so that the images can be projected onto a wall in a darkened room using a light source. This ring was created by Luke Jerram and jeweler Tamrakar for Jerram's wedding to Shelina Nanji.

His ring is so unique he has been asked to make more for other people. His reply, "Congratulations on your engagement! I'm afraid this ring was a one off, made for my wife. I'm afraid you'll have to make your own unique ring for your own unique partner!"

This ring was inspired by 19th century Stanhopes. If you click on the link, you will find fascinating historical information on these novelty souvenir items (now collectables) which were also called "peeps". The souvenirs were sewing accessories, letter openers, cigarette and cigar holders as well as jewelry items such as pendants, charms, rings, watch fobs and so on. They had miniature microphotographic lenses incorporated into them.

French inventor, Ren Prudent Patrice Dagron, combined the original Stanhope lens (a larger hand held viewer) with a microphotograph and produced a single miniature magnifying unit. He also had the business acumen to make the items wildly popular in his day.

Below is an example of a modern Stanhope jewelry piece which is available from the Stanhope Jewelry company.