Iron Jewelry Design · 2025
Connection Ring
by Elisa Pozza
- A' Design Award 2025 Iron Winner in Jewelry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Petronilla
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 12,881
- Verification code E504871E19 · Verify this award
About Connection Ring
A band ring in 18Kt yellow gold and white diamonds, inspired by the timeless elegance of medieval jewelry with clean geometric lines. Now reinterpreted with a modern touch, its deconstructed design creates a light, airy effect, allowing light to pass through and enhance the brilliance of the diamonds, the true protagonists of the composition. Perfect for both men and women, it is a refined alternative to the traditional wedding band. Customizable with engravings on the outer surface with a phrase, a motto, initials, or an acronym to make this symbol of style and eternal elegance truly unique.
Elisa Pozza's Connection Ring participates in a distinguished lineage of contemporary jewelry design that seeks to reconcile geometric abstraction with symbolic resonance, crafting personal adornments that function simultaneously as wearable sculpture and meaningful artifact, the work engaging modernist design principles that privilege formal clarity, structural logic, and material integrity while remaining deeply rooted in ancient symbolic vocabularies surrounding the circle, the sun, and the mandala as archetypal forms carrying universal human significance across cultures and epochs, the compositional achievement of the piece rests substantially in its successful navigation of multiple formal tensions, balancing bold architectural projection with refined restraint, mathematical precision with organic warmth, contemporary minimalism with traditional luxury, and pure abstraction with rich symbolic potential, the technical execution demonstrates sophisticated metalsmithing facility in the creation of ten identical trapezoidal projections that extend radially from the central band with perfect equidistant spacing, each element exhibiting crisp geometric definition while maintaining smooth transitions that prevent the design from reading as harsh or aggressive despite its angular vocabulary, the integration of ten brilliant-cut diamonds nestled between the major structural elements represents a particularly successful chromatic and compositional decision, the colorless gemstones providing punctuation and rhythm while their cool white fire creates essential contrast against the warm gold continuum, preventing monotony and activating the negative spaces between projections as compositionally meaningful zones rather than residual voids, the material choice of yellow gold in a high-polish finish maximizes light interaction across the complex faceted surfaces, the reflective quality transforming ambient illumination into dynamic modeling that changes continuously with viewing angle and lighting conditions, rendering the object visually alive and responsive to its environment rather than static, the ten-fold radial symmetry establishes a meditative regularity that invites contemplation while the dimensional relief and play of light across angles and curves maintains visual interest and prevents the geometric order from becoming predictable or rigid, thematically the work appears to explore concepts of connection, unity, and centering, the title suggesting relationships, bonds, and the joining of separate entities into unified wholes, the circular form carrying ancient associations with eternity, perfection, and cyclical continuity across countless cultural traditions from the ouroboros to the wedding band to the Buddhist wheel to the solar disk revered by civilizations worldwide, the radiating projections potentially evoking solar imagery with its connotations of life-giving energy, warmth, illumination, and vital force, or alternatively suggesting the petals of a lotus or other mandala-like configurations used across spiritual traditions as tools for meditation and representations of cosmic order, the geometric precision and mathematical regularity may reference platonic ideals of perfect forms existing beyond the material world while simultaneously celebrating the material itself, the noble metal and precious stones transformed through human skill and intention into objects of beauty that dignify daily life and mark significant moments and relationships, the work positions itself within contemporary discourse around jewelry as art rather than mere accessory, claiming aesthetic autonomy while maintaining functional wearability, the scale appearing substantial enough to make a confident visual statement while remaining proportionate to human anatomy and comfortable for extended wear, the interior band thoughtfully curved to accommodate the finger while the exterior geometry achieves sculptural presence, demonstrating sensitivity to the dual nature of jewelry as both object and interface, thing and experience, form and function integrated rather than opposed, one might observe how the piece invites questions about the relationship between personal adornment and self-expression, between inherited symbolic languages and contemporary formal innovation, between the intimate scale of jewelry and the monumental ambitions of sculpture and architecture, suggesting that meaning and significance need not correlate with physical scale, that the miniature can contain the cosmic, that what we choose to place on our bodies participates in the ongoing human project of investing the material world with significance, creating through design and craft tangible anchors for intangible feelings, relationships, commitments, and aspirations, the work ultimately proposing that contemporary jewelry design at its most successful achieves a synthesis of aesthetic achievement and symbolic resonance, formal innovation and cultural continuity, precious materiality and conceptual depth, offering wearers not merely beautiful objects but meaningful companions in the ongoing negotiation between self and world, private feeling and public presentation, momentary experience and enduring value.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This 18Kt gold ring, adorned with natural diamonds on the sides, is the perfect blend of modernity and tradition. Its sleek and lightweight design, despite its bold volumes, makes it a versatile accessory that complements any look—ideal for any occasion, including as a reimagined wedding band. Its wide, polished surface, elegantly divided into ten concave sections, offers the possibility of customization with engraved initials, an acronym, or a personal motto, turning it into a unique and deeply meaningful symbol.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The width of the band is 7 mm, its thickness at the highest point is 4 mm and at the lowest point 2 mm. The finger size is 14 IT - 54 FR.
The 20 diamonds distributed on the sides of the ring, are in total ct 0.31. - Tags
- Band ring, Wedding ring, 18Kt gold ring, Medieval inspiration, Stylized shapes
- Production Technology
- I chose to create this ring in 18Kt gold and natural white diamonds, starting from a meticulously crafted 3D design. The design was deconstructed into three main elements: the inner circle, the outer part divided into ten concave sections, and 20 settings (10 on each side). After the gold casting process, these components are precisely assembled with the inner and outer elements, bringing the final structure to life.
This project is perfectly suited for modeling with Rhinoceros and printing with specialized resins, ideal for lost-wax casting. The ring is then meticulously finished by hand using traditional goldsmithing tools, ensuring impeccable details. The final stage of craftsmanship is the diamond setting, followed by the final polishing, which enhances the brilliance and elegance of the piece. - Design Challenge
- The challenge was to reinvent a piece of jewelry with a simple and essential design, transforming it into something new and captivating. During the production phase, I developed a solution to make its construction feasible, breaking it down into multiple parts to ensure a flawless finish.
- Project Duration
- Italy
- Research
- Inspired by a captivating exploration of medieval jewelry, I conceived this ring as a modern bridge capable of uniting people. In the Middle Ages, rings were much more than mere ornaments—they were powerful symbols of gratitude, esteem, and love, often embellished with inscriptions that told unique stories. At the heart of this project lies the goal of creating authentic connections by transforming a piece of jewelry into a personal communication vehicle, one that holds a special message speaking directly to the heart.
- Inspiration
- For me, a piece of jewelry is the perfect synthesis of values, history, harmony, and uniqueness. What inspires me is not just aesthetics, but the idea of creating original pieces that forge a genuine connection between the jewel and its wearer.
In this project, I chose to explore the allure of ancient rings, passed down through time as keepers of meaningful stories. Some of these, similar to polygonal wedding bands, featured inscriptions on their sides—messages dedicated to their recipient. My reinterpretation of this tradition takes shape in a stylized, lightweight design that embodies a new concept of jewelry, meant to celebrate the value of relationships and personal connections.
Colors of Connection Ring
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G0E9 ShopGrand Interview about Connection Ring
When I began designing the Connection Ring, my goal was to create a ring capable of evoking the charm of the past while simultaneously speaking the language of the present. Studying medieval jewelry, I was struck by the purity of the most essential forms and the symbolic power of inscriptions, which transformed the object into a personal, intimate, and lasting message. The fusion of simplicity and meaning seemed to me a contemporary necessity, a way to restore value to the act of giving and the connection between the giver and the receiver. I therefore wanted to preserve this essential quality in the outer form, as a timeless value, because I recognize in it an elegance that remains modern and universal. The design intervention focuses on the interior of the ring: the outer silhouette remains intact, while the inner part opens into a refined play of deconstructed shapes. Here, reflections of light are created, enhanced by white diamonds that harmoniously connect the inner and outer elements. This generates lightness, dynamism, and visual depth. In this way, tradition and modernity meet in a delicate balance, transforming the ring into not just an ornament, but also a symbol of relationship, sharing, and authentic connection between people.
The decision to divide the Connection Ring into ten concave sections was born from the desire to transform a simple geometric form into a dynamic, living structure capable of conversing with light and reflecting its many nuances. The concave surfaces allow reflections to glide along the ring’s profile like a subtle dance, creating an ever-changing visual rhythm that invites the eye to follow its movement and perceive its depth and volume. Each section can also hold an engraving — a number, a letter, a name, or a word — becoming a personal message between giver and receiver, in continuity with the medieval tradition of inscribed rings as bearers of meaning.The choice of ten sections is not only an aesthetic one, offering balance and harmony, but it also carries profound symbolic value. In Pythagorean philosophy, ten represented the perfect sum (1+2+3+4), a symbol of completeness; in biblical and medieval numerology, it united the divine (3) with the earthly (7), recalling the moral law of the Ten Commandments. In Connection, this ancient symbolism is renewed in a contemporary key, blending light, form, and meaning into a single sensory and spiritual experience — where beauty becomes the expression of inner harmony and balance.
My collaboration with Maison Boucheron was a pivotal moment in my professional and personal growth. It allowed me to engage with highly complex projects, where three-dimensionality and movement were central elements, particularly in the animalier collections, where volume, proportion, and harmony of forms are essential to bring creations to life as if they were breathing. Working with such prestigious brands elevated my standards, refining my attention to detail, technical precision, and aesthetic judgment, while deepening my passion for meticulous craftsmanship and the pursuit of perfection.At the time of our collaboration, every piece of jewelry was entirely handcrafted, as the available technologies did not offer alternatives. This experience inspired me to develop a line of jewels designed to be truly one-of-a-kind, achievable only through the artisan’s manual skill, where each piece is inherently unique. I strongly believe that artisanal work should coexist with modern technologies: by integrating tradition and innovation, new creative possibilities can emerge.This philosophy directly influenced the design of the Connection Ring, a piece that combines elegance, movement, and technical precision. It embodies a balance between art, technique, and contemporary sensibility, achieved through the seamless fusion of cutting-edge technology and handcrafted expertise, ensuring that each ring is both innovative and deeply personal.
The traditional wedding ring is usually circular, a symbol of perfection and continuity, even though in past eras marriage often represented a simple contract, lacking genuine emotional connection. Today, love forms the core of a relationship, and the ongoing choice to commit to one another, through life’s highs and lows, allows couples to grow and build a bond that becomes ever deeper, grounded in respect, trust, and understanding. The Connection Ring interprets this concept in a contemporary key: I see it as the decomposition of two individuals into distinct elements that seek each other, meet, and then separate again in a continuous, harmonious movement. It is not intended solely for couples; it can also symbolize the bond between friends, an intimate connection of thoughts, souls, and mutual appreciation, expressing deep and meaningful relationships beyond romantic love. At the moment of encounter, a diamond emerges—the most precious and pure of gems—symbolizing perfection born from union, sharing, and emotional communion. In this way, the ring becomes a universal symbol of connection, loyalty, and harmony between people, conveying values that transcend aesthetics and speak directly to the heart of the wearer.
From the very beginning, it was clear that 3D design would be an essential and indispensable tool for the Connection Ring. The ring, with its geometric forms deconstructed into multiple parts, required an extremely precise assembly to create a harmonious rhythm between the concave sections that follow one another along the profile and the light modules on the sides, generated by the settings in contact with the base. The digital design also allowed for a highly accurate evaluation of the jewelry’s ergonomics, which proved perfect in reality and comfortable to wear. After casting, the assembly proceeded smoothly thanks to the craftsmanship and experience developed over the years, which made it possible to manage every detail with precision. The diamond setting was carefully designed to enhance the distinctive shape of the sides without exceeding the thickness of the profiles, preserving the design with balance, lightness, and harmony. In this way, the innovative design was transformed from concept to reality with elegance and precision, maintaining the original vision while integrating advanced technology and artisanal skill, resulting in a unique, sophisticated, and harmonious piece of jewelry.
In my study of medieval rings, beyond appreciating the formal purity and simplicity of their lines, I was particularly fascinated by the possibility of personalizing them, turning them into carriers of intimate and symbolic messages. In an era dominated by standardization, I believe that personalization represents the true soul of a piece of jewelry, what makes it unique and able to tell a personal story. The power of engraved words creates an invisible bond between the giver and the receiver, transforming the ring into a tangible sign of connection and affection. The Connection Ring is born from this very idea: its structure allows a message to be engraved exclusively for the wearer, making it personal and meaningful. Each ring is made to order, both because its particular design does not allow standard resizing and to ensure the piece is as unique as possible. It can be crafted in white, yellow, or rose gold, set with white or black diamonds, or other precious stones. There is also a slimmer version, designed to be worn alone or combined with multiple rings, possibly in all three gold colors, creating an elegant, versatile, and personalized ensemble.
In recent years, the world of jewelry has undergone profound changes: pieces that were once conceived exclusively for women now find their place in the male universe as well, and vice versa. This return to freedom of expression echoes, in a way, past eras when ladies and noblemen wore jewelry rich in meaning and personality—not merely ornaments, but true symbols of identity and status. The Connection Ring was born from this contemporary vision, with an authentically unisex design, a meeting point between masculine and feminine sensibilities, capable of resonating with the wearer regardless of gender. Its clean and essential form expresses both strength and refinement, playing on a harmonious balance between straight and curved lines in a three-dimensional way, which coexist within the same geometric figure, creating dynamism and lightness. The choice to subtly embellish the sides of the ring reflects a timeless and understated elegance, suitable for any age or style, making it a versatile, sophisticated, and deeply personal piece. It is a jewelry design that expresses values, identity, and aesthetic taste in an authentic and universal manner, bridging tradition and contemporary sensibility in a single, elegant creation.
The arrangement of the twenty diamonds along the sides of the Connection Ring was designed to create a harmonious and coherent dialogue between the ten outer concave sections and the inner one, giving the ring a unique and dynamic visual rhythm. In their movement, these gems outline, when viewed in profile, the shape of a sun, infusing energy and vitality into the structure. When light filters from behind the ring, its elegant and delicate silhouette stands out clearly, evoking the image of a partially obscured sun, as during an eclipse. The diamonds, allowing a subtle luminosity to pass through, compensate for the hidden portion of light and poetically suggest that even in the darkest moments, an inner light always shines. This combination of movement, light, and visual rhythm not only enhances the ring’s geometry but also amplifies its symbolic meaning, making every gesture and detail a reminder of hope, continuity, and the connection between giver and receiver. In this way, the ring becomes both a sensory and symbolic experience, uniting aesthetics and emotion into a single harmonious expression.
The Connection Ring, also recognized by the A’ Design Award, has the potential to significantly influence contemporary jewelry design by emphasizing human connections, the value of giving, and authentic relationships between people. It brings both the wearer and the act of giving to the forefront, celebrating not only personal bonds but also craftsmanship, skill, and the heritage of Made in Italy, elements that make each creation unique and one-of-a-kind. In today’s fast-paced world, distracted by countless stimuli, paying attention to details and embracing the “slowness” required to achieve true quality — known as slow luxury — becomes a guiding philosophy, a way to rediscover the value of time and intentionality behind every creative gesture. This approach encourages both designers and wearers to look beyond mere aesthetics, appreciating the meaning, story, and emotion that each piece can convey. The Connection Ring thus represents a future in which jewelry is not only beautiful but also deeply personal, symbolic, and emotionally significant.
To answer this question, I would like to share something deeply personal, which represents the truest essence of the Connection Ring. I chose to create this piece for myself—not as a symbol of union with my husband or my children, but as an expression of a higher connection: my relationship with God. The division into ten elements, beyond recalling the harmony of a perfect number, can also be interpreted as a reference to the ten beads of the Holy Rosary, marking a rhythm of prayer, reflection, and meditation. In this special version, I replaced one of the diamonds with a sapphire to indicate the starting point of the prayer, and engraved a small stylized cross inspired by medieval art, together with the acronym of the spiritual group I belong to, rendered in a Gothic-style script. This intimate and symbolic gesture transforms the jewel into a bridge between matter and spirit, between earth and sky, reminding me each day that the most authentic connection is the one that unites the soul with the divine—with humility, love, and awareness.