Lois Hill

Sterling Silver Granulated and Scroll Stacking Bands Ring by Lois Hill, Size 5

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Transport yourself to the South Pacific with this set of three sterling silver stacking rings, each with their own unique design and feel. The set includes a rounded cut-out ring featuring unique, hand-carved indentations that look like inverse, black clouds set against a silvery sky. It's joined by another rounded band with etched lines that look like ancient Asian script. Both rings are smooth to the touch as you languorously run your fingers over them. The third band offers a black background punctuated by silver swirls of paisley-like filigree that are accented by small granulated beads. Stack the three of them together for a mysterious look, or wear them individually for a contemporary feel. The rings are imported from Indonesia.

Sterling silver, the industry standard for jewelry, is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper (which helps to toughen the silver). Silver jewelry has been associated through the ages with healing powers as well as bringing the wearer good luck.

Working with precious metals in the tradition of old-world metal smiths, Lois Hill imbues her jewelry with the designs she unearths on her travels around the world and a craftsmanship that elevates a piece of jewelry from bauble to heirloom.

About the Designer

For an artist, choosing the world as one’s canvas is a romantic proposition not often realized. For jewelry designer Lois Hill, traveling overseas from America’s Midwest at the age of 23 was only the first step in what would become an international odyssey to fulfill this dream.

Stimulated by the intricacy of traditional silver and metal handicraft methods, Hill delved into her study of the forgotten arts. Traversing the globe on a quest to unearth ancient jewelry procedures, she explored exotic lands such as Israel, India, Indonesia, and Egypt.

After much research, what Hill found most artistically challenging was the supposition that all textile methods can be executed in metal. However when it came to guidance, she was on her own. While Hill was able to locate many rare examples of ancient adornment, discovering how they were actually constructed was a challenge--some pieces, once deconstructed, took months to reconstruct. Hill was able to use the artifacts she found in her travels and combine them with her own designs to create a classic, yet contemporary, collection of handcrafted sterling silver jewelry.

One of her signature weaves is the 18th century continuous wire weave. Hand woven from a single strand of silver, this unique art can yield anything from a tiny cufflink to a belt that takes over a month to complete. The most precious weave, comprised of tiny jump rings woven like a textile, originates from the Hill Tribes in Northern Thailand. This pattern is so intricate that only about one inch per day can be hand-woven.

Adding a final decorative touch, Lois Hill incorporates the skills of granulation and metal piercing into her designs. Used as early as 3000 B.C., granulation is a method of applying tiny beads of metal onto a smooth surface. While it has been widely used throughout antiquity--including King Tut’s tomb--Hill’s application is unique in that she uses beads in a graduation of sizes and integrates wire filigree-inspired designs to create an entirely new landscape. Piercing is an equally ancient method of working with assorted metals, dating back to prehistoric times. Using a set of handmade tools, patterns are cut out through the silver, creating an elaborate contrast of negative and positive.

Resurrecting ancient procedures, Lois Hill revives the distant past. Unlike many designs indigenous to a geographical area, Hill fuses a mélange of older techniques with a contemporary sensibility. The result is an anthology of jewelry that is both a collector’s item and an extraordinary example of modern art.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 0.6 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000C887A
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this ring , Designer is Great !, February 24, 2005

By 

Lisa Hightower (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sterling Silver Granulated and Scroll Stacking Bands Ring by Lois Hill (Jewelry)

This ring to be honest , I was scared to buy -- but it turned out to be one of the best of the Best> It was like the item you wanted but was scared to buy, and when you finally did it - you did not know why you were scared to buy it ! And you loved it.
That is this ring. I purchased this item on the super saver delivery, so I was anxious till I recieved today. And let me tell you, I am thrilled with this product.! I do think this desginer, is the the Next Diane Malouf, or Konstantio.
So In my small review , I am going to try and buy all I can from this desginer before it hits Neimans.!!!!!!

Sincerly
Lisa Hightower