Gold Jewelry Design · 2020
Ohgi Ring
by Mimaya Dale
- A' Design Award 2020 Gold Winner in Jewelry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Mimidale Designs
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 80,428
- Verification code ED3C6DA28F · Verify this award
About Ohgi Ring
Mimaya Dale, the designer of the Ohgi ring has delivered a symbolic message with this ring. Her inspiration of the ring came from positive meanings that Japanese folding fans have and how much they are loved in the Japanese culture. She uses 18K Yellow gold and a sapphire for the material and they bring out luxurious aura. Moreover, the folding fan sits on a ring in an angle which give a unique beauty. Her design is a unity between East and West.
Mimidale Designs's Ohgi Ring, captured in this contemplative presentation, represents a distinguished achievement in contemporary jewelry design that draws upon the rich visual vocabulary of traditional fan forms while translating these historical references into a thoroughly modern sculptural statement. The piece demonstrates remarkable sensitivity to the interplay between geometric precision and organic gesture, its radiating golden ribs expanding upward from a centered dark gemstone in a manner that evokes both the mechanical elegance of an opening fan and the natural radiance of solar rays at dawn. The technical accomplishment evident in the metalwork reveals sophisticated craftsmanship, with each rib maintaining consistent proportional relationships while exhibiting subtle surface variations that animate the form under changing light conditions. The choice of warm gold creates a sumptuous material presence that honors historical associations between precious metals and ceremonial or celebratory objects, while the contemporary silhouette positions the work firmly within current design discourse around statement jewelry that functions simultaneously as personal adornment and wearable sculpture. The photographic presentation itself merits attention for its role in articulating the design's intentions, the tender gesture of overlapping hands suggesting both the intimate relationship between jewelry and wearer and the protective reverence appropriate to precious objects. The atmospheric background, rendered in soft blue-gray tones, provides visual quietude that allows the ring's warm chromatic presence to command attention without competition. One might consider how the fan motif carries associations across cultures with grace, ceremony, transformation, and the revelation of hidden beauty, themes that resonate with jewelry's traditional role in marking significant moments and expressing personal identity. The work invites extended contemplation of how historical forms might be reinterpreted through contemporary design sensibilities while maintaining connection to enduring human experiences of beauty, craft, and meaningful adornment.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This is an 18 K, Yellow gold ring with a round sapphire. Ohgi (Japanese Folding Fan) symbolizes prosperity as it spreads out when we open it. The Japanese folding fan played such an important role in Japanese culture, and it was considered an essential tool to send off and welcome good spirits. This ring is different from regular jewelry because of the symbolic meanings it has, and also the unique eye-catching nature. This ring is also wearable in both directions and it gives a different unique look either way.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 26mm X Depth 23 mm X Height 22mm
- Tags
- Ohgi, Japanese Folding Fan, Ring, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Japanese inspired, Symbolic jewelry, Jewelry with meanings
- Production Technology
- I used 3D Jewelry software to design this ring, then it was printed with a 3D printer. Then it was cast with 18K Yellow gold. The Folding Fan has a texture mat finish, the rest of the ring is mirror polished. Lastly a round sapphire was set.
- Design Challenge
- I believe jewelry should be beautiful but also comfortable to wear. I tried and failed many times to create the right measurements and angle of the Ohgi ( Japanese Folding Fan) in order to perfect the right balance. Because the ring has some weight on it, it required the right measurements for how it sits on the finger, otherwise it would not be wearable.
- Project Duration
- The project started in June 2019 in Vancouver and finished in December 2019 in Vancouver.
- Operation Flow
- This ring is wearable in two directions and it gives a distinct beauty in either way. It creates its own attraction, is different from ordinary rings because it tells a meaningful story.
- Research
- I first started from understanding the meanings and history behind Japanese Folding Fans through books and the web. I also consulted with my mother who is a kimono stylist which also let me discover about my late grandmother who was a kimono fanatic. This project has opened up so many opportunities and also let me rediscover my roots and ambition. I know what I want to express through my jewelry designing and I am content to know that people appreciate my unique, meaningful jewelry.
- Inspiration
- I have always been a Japanese folding Fan fanatic and always will be. The beautiful shape of the Japanese Folding Fan, the graceful meanings behind it and its practical use, are my inspirations to design this jewelry.
- Image Credits
- Main Image: Mimaya Dale( Designer/ Founder)/Tracy Moromisato( Photographer )Sara Borowski( Model)
Imgae #1,3,4: Mimaya Dale (Designer, Founder)Tracy Moromisato(Photographer) Sara Borowski(Model), Aoi Tsujiguchi ( Make up artist) Kyoko Kamei( Kimono Stylist)
Image #2: Mimaya Dale( Designer, Photographer, and Founder)
Colors of Ohgi Ring
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Design Interview about Ohgi Ring
The biggest inspiration of my design came from the divine meanings behind the Japanese folding fans. The shape of the fan opens 180 degrees and the shape is considered to bring endless luck. I believe in designing jewelry that have meanings and that is my principle. Therefore the ring is not only unique but also to bring graceful luck to people who wear it.
My concept of jewelry is East meets West. My inspiration obviously came from the traditional Japanese culture and arts, but I also am deeply focused on integrating the culture into the western style, and that was my main focus on designing this ring.
I would love to start designing in other fashion fields, such as clothing, shoes, and accessories that can open up more opportunities.
The concept has been on my mind for a long time, maybe a few years.
It was totally my inspiration. From this concept I became more certain what my style really is.
I intend to produce my work myself and it is available to order on my website.
My Japanese heritage and the history of the Japanese fan, it's beauty and for all its uses.
The target for this jewelry is people who are interested in unique and meaningful artistic pieces of jewelry. Particularly people who love the Japanese culture and oriental fashion are the target customers.
There are many pieces of Japanese inspired designed jewelry I believe, but it is not that easy to convey the meanings and messages into designing. I believe my designs convey in depth meanings and collaborate the idea with my style of designing.
Ohgi means Japanese folding fans. It is a graceful word in the Japanese language and brings an elegant emotion when I hear it.
Drawing on a sketch book, water color pencils, caliper, gemstones, carving wax, computer software.
My designs represent who I am.
There was no collaboration at all, purely a solo project.
3D computer software and printing play the most important role in this design.
Studying the history of the Japanese Fan.
Time, frustration with weight and measurements.
People who know me well, kept on telling me "you should enter a design competition" . I never really saw my potentials before but I am glad I listened to them, Sometimes people know you better that you do!
What I learned from this designing experience was that there is no right or wrong in designing, and there is not a set process in designing either. What matters the most is to believe in your own intuition, be persistent and keep pushing your limits. Because when you keep challenging yourself your designs get better and better, and you become a better designer.