Love Eternity Cercei by Kaining Wang and Shao-Hsuan Hou

Love Eternity Cercei by Kaining Wang and Shao-Hsuan Hou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award de Argint in Design de Bijuterii Competition Category.

ArgintBijuterii· 2022

Love Eternity Cercei

by Kaining Wang and Shao-Hsuan Hou

Client: HanJi Jewelry

A' Design Award de Argint Winner in Bijuterii Category

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The Design

About Love Eternity Cercei

Love Eternity este o pereche de cercei concepuți pentru a exprima natura durabilă a iubirii. Fiecare cercel este format din două părți, o montură care susține un rubin și un element pandantiv în spirală. Montura are un canal din care atârnă spirala, permițând o mișcare de pendul atunci când sunt purtați. Rânduri alternante de diamante și aur formează două fire care se împletesc într-unul singur și curg pe un traseu în spirală. Cerceii sunt realizați din aur galben masiv de 14K, două rubine rotunde create în laborator, de câte 3 milimetri fiecare, și aproximativ 558 de diamante rotunde. Producția a inclus modelare pe calculator, imprimare 3D, turnare prin metoda cerii pierdute și montarea pietrelor.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Argint

Love Eternity Cercei a câștigat A' Design Award de Argint, o recunoaștere extraordinar de prestigioasă acordată designurilor de top, superbe și impresionante. Câștigătorii Argintului sunt lucrări extraordinar de strălucite și extrem de creative, care ilustrează expertiza, talentul și perspicacitatea remarcabile ale designerilor lor. Se așteaptă ca Love Eternity Cercei să fie o lucrare minunată, de referință, remarcabil de profesionistă și profund inovatoare. Acest design câștigător al A' Design Award de Argint este o invenție foarte notabilă și admirată, care aduce beneficii și împinge limitele artei, științei, designului și tehnologiei. Love Eternity Cercei este o creație extrem de invidiată, care trezește dorințe, aduce sentimente pozitive și stârnește uimire și mirare.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Each earring consists of two parts, a bezel holding a ruby and a spiral drop element. The bezel has a channel, from which the spiral hangs and moves in a pendulum motion. The alternating rows of diamonds and gold illustrate two strands giving and receiving as equals as they wind into one and flow in a spiral course. The eyes would read a circular dynamic that symbolizes the perpetual nature and the power of love - the central idea of the design.
Dimensions & Packaging: Earring Dimension: Width 2cm x Depth 2cm x Height 8cm
Tags: Earrings, Hanji, Hanji Jewelry, Luxury, Jewelry, Designer, Fine Jewelry, Gold, Diamonds, Ruby
Production Technology: This pair of earrings is made from 14K solid yellow gold, a matching pair of 3.0mm round lab-grown rubies (total weight approx. 0.32 carat), and about 558 round diamonds (total weight approx. 4.19 carat). All diamonds are sourced from suppliers participating in the System of Warranties and following the Kimberley Process guidelines.

The production technology included computer modeling, 3D printing, lost-wax casting, stone setting, etc. It was manufactured entirely in the USA.
Design Challenge: One of the creative challenges was attempting to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing version of the spiral element. Aspects considered included the number of turns, the amount of space between the turns, and how the spiral should end. Next was deciding on the best hanging mechanism that would allow pendulum motion of the earrings when worn, the arrangement of gemstones on the spiral structures, and the placement of prongs that would secure the gemstones.
Research: The research objective was to determine responsibly sourced materials that would be used for manufacturing the earrings. We read reports from trusted organizations, such as The World Jewellery Confederation, participated in live discussions with ethical jewelry communities, including webinars hosted by Ethical Metalsmiths.

Sourcing responsibly was challenging due to the long, complex supply chains of gold, diamonds and gemstones. There have been controversies around gold certificates and the definition of 'conflict-free diamonds', etc. Nevertheless, we believe we would be able to realize our design using materials sourced in ways that have a minimal impact on the environment and were not involved in conflict by doing research and asking suppliers questions. Eventually, we chose to use 14K recycled gold from a US manufacturer MKM Jewelry, Inc., lab-created rubies sourced from Stuller, Inc., and natural diamonds sourced from Hoover & Strong, Inc. Stuller is a leading manufacturer and jewelry supply distributor in the US that adheres to strict protocols in regards to the sourcing of both lab-grown and mined gemstones. Hoover & Strong source from diamond suppliers who participate in the System of Warranties and follow the guidelines of the Kimberley Process. These diamonds are guaranteed to have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations resolutions. The goal was a design that is not only aesthetically pleasing and innovative but also sustainably made.
Inspiration: We wanted to create a piece of jewelry that illustrates ‘love’ and arrived at spirals as a perfect depiction of the perpetual nature of love. The inspiration came unexpectedly when a scribble among other design concept drawings caught our eyes. We designed the spiral to have two strands that emanate from a shared center - a rich red ruby. From there they entwine and are able to craft a way forward stronger than they ever could be alone.
Project Duration: The design process started in August 2020. Conceptualization, 3D modeling, prototyping, selection of materials and manufacturing were completed in January 2021.
Operation Flow: They are to be worn on ears. The spiral drop elements hang from the top round bezels holding the pair of rubies. When worn, the spiral elements may move, swinging left and right.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Hanji Design, 2021.
Brand name: HanJi Jewelry
Team Members: Kaining Wang
Shao-Hsuan Hou
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Kaining Wang, Love Eternity, 2021
Optional Image #1: Photographer Kaining Wang, Photo Editor/Graphic Artist Shihab Sumom, Love Eternity, 2021
Optional Image #2: Photographer Shao-Hsuan Hou, Love Entwine, 2021
Optional Image #3: Model Kaining Wang, Photographer Shao-Hsuan Hou, Lifestyle, 2021