Interview about Golden Sunflower Ring, winner of the A' Jewelry Design Award 2025
The Golden Sunflower is a statement ring with a flower-shaped design featuring an Amethyst crafted in yellow and white gold. The design was inspired by natural flowers. The artist wanted to create a flower-like ring without prongs. Instead, the little petals were used to hold the central stone. Each one of the petals was individually installed and had a diamond set in it. The petals of the ring appear to be emerging from the flower, creating a realistic and elegant design. Because of the by-pass shank style, the leaves help to complete the shank to provide a comfortable fit.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe vision for the Golden Sunflower Ring was always to create something that felt organically alive, capturing the true spirit of a blooming flower rather than relying on conventional techniques. I knew from the start that using traditional prongs would break the natural flow I wanted to achieve. Through careful experimentation and design development, I came up with the idea of supporting the central stone using a series of inner petals crafted in white gold. Each petal was meticulously shaped and positioned to gently embrace the Amethyst, much like real petals cradle a flower’s seeds. This approach not only secures the stone but transforms the setting into an integral part of the design’s narrative. The process required great technical precision and patience, yet the result embodies my belief that functionality should enhance the beauty and symbolism of the piece.
Nature never uses just one shade of color, and I wanted the ring to echo that subtle complexity. The decision to blend yellow and white gold stemmed from my vision to recreate the true spirit of a sunflower’s layers and textures. Yellow gold embodies the warmth and optimism of sunlight, which sunflowers naturally follow, while white gold brings contrast, highlighting the delicate inner petals and the Amethyst they hold. This duality gives the ring depth and visual interest from every angle. The combination also symbolizes balance — the harmony of boldness and subtlety. For me, this mix of metals elevates the piece from a simple floral motif to a sophisticated, wearable sculpture that celebrates both the strength and elegance of nature.
. When I started working on this ring, my goal was to create a flower-shaped piece that felt real and alive. I designed many different versions but couldn’t find one that truly satisfied me. After a long stretch of work, I took a short nap, and in that moment, I clearly saw the version I had been searching for. That vision brought everything together — the shape, the flow, and the meaning behind it. The sunflower’s symbolism of resilience and growth really spoke to me. It reminds us that we can push through challenges, adapt, and stay positive no matter what. I brought that spirit into the ring by designing the petals to support the Amethyst, showing how life’s difficulties can actually help us grow stronger and shine brighter.
One of the biggest challenges was designing tiny petals that could actually hold the central Amethyst stone securely. Each petal had to be strong enough to support the stone yet delicate enough to keep the look organic and light. Before installing the Amethyst and positioning the petals around it, each petal had to have its diamond set first — working at this tiny scale required extreme precision and patience. Another challenge was that each petal had to go into its own designated spot only; they couldn’t be mixed and matched. This is because every petal had to be individually shaped by hand to fit perfectly and make proper contact with the edges of the concave-cut Amethyst. After shaping, setting, and polishing, they were carefully installed one by one in the exact order to maintain the natural flow and symmetry. This level of detail is what makes the ring feel truly alive, like a real flower blooming on the finger.
I have always been drawn to the mystical qualities of Amethyst — its association with spiritual growth, protection, and transformation resonates deeply with the ring’s core message. I chose an African Amethyst for its rich, vibrant purple hue and ethical sourcing. The concave cut, while less conventional, adds a sense of movement and depth to the stone, much like the spiraling seeds at the heart of a real sunflower. Light plays within the facets, creating a dynamic visual effect that changes with every glance. This echoes the idea that growth and resilience are ever-changing, adapting to the light around them. The stone’s energy, combined with its unique cut, makes the ring not only beautiful but also symbolically powerful.
From the beginning, I knew the design had to feel as good as it looked. The by-pass shank creates an elegant, flowing line that mirrors the natural curves of a flower’s stem. However, without careful engineering, such a shape can cause instability, allowing the ring to twist uncomfortably. To solve this, I integrated the leaves not only as decorative elements but also as functional stabilizers. They help balance the weight and keep the ring centered on the finger. This balance of art and function required several prototypes and refinements, but the result is a ring that feels secure and comfortable while staying true to the floral story. It’s a reminder that great design is always about harmony between beauty and wearability.
Being recognized by the A' Design Award has been incredibly rewarding because it reaffirms my belief that design should be both meaningful and technically innovative. This honor motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and experimenting with new ideas while holding onto the values that define my work: authenticity, symbolism, and masterful execution. It reminds me that every piece has the potential to connect with people on an emotional level. Moving forward, I want to continue creating jewelry that is not just visually stunning but also tells a story that empowers the wearer. This recognition has given me renewed confidence to pursue bolder, more ambitious projects for G&D Unique Designs.
I see myself as both a guardian of tradition and an explorer of modern possibilities. Mastering classical techniques like precise stone-setting and hand-finishing allows me to bring a sense of authenticity and quality to every piece. At the same time, I embrace 3D modeling as an essential tool that opens up new creative opportunities. For the Golden Sunflower Ring, 3D modeling helped me experiment with different shapes, angles, and how each petal would interact with the concave-cut Amethyst — all before moving to the hands-on craftsmanship stage. This combination of technology and traditional skills makes it possible to achieve designs that would be extremely challenging by hand alone. For me, blending these approaches creates pieces that are not only timeless but also fresh, showing how the past and future can work together in beautiful harmony.
I hope that wearing the Golden Sunflower Ring feels like carrying a daily reminder of hope and resilience. The sunflower has long been a symbol of positivity and growth, and the Amethyst brings an added dimension of spiritual transformation and protection. I envision this ring connecting deeply with people who are on their own journey of overcoming challenges and blossoming into their full potential. It’s a piece that speaks quietly but powerfully, offering warmth, light, and an emotional bond that goes beyond adornment. When someone wears it, I want them to feel that they have a small, beautiful talisman that reminds them to always turn towards the sun.
My advice is to trust your vision and respect your craft equally. Never be afraid to question traditional solutions if they don’t serve your design’s story. It’s important to learn the fundamentals thoroughly — they are your toolkit for realizing ambitious ideas. But remember that true innovation happens when you allow your imagination to guide you past what seems possible. Stay patient with the challenges and persistent through setbacks; they often lead to breakthroughs. Above all, stay authentic. Your work should always reflect your values and artistic integrity, because that’s what will resonate most with people and make your creations timeless.
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