About the project
Our task was to design a silver ring with a delicate black engraving that captured the spirit of Amsterdam through stylized line drawings of its iconic canal houses. The customer specified several buildings that must be stylized and included in the engraving. One of the key elements had to be a bicycle — as a symbol of the city’s spirit.
The goal was to convey a sense of clarity, rhythm, and understated beauty — to create a piece that feels both modern and timeless.
Concept Development
We began by identifying the emotions and visual elements we wanted this design to embody:
line drawings, iconic houses, a bicycle,
rhythm, lightness, clarity, balance,
modernity, freshness, airiness,
belonging, a personal small treasure.
This ring was designed to hold small fragments of a beloved place — a personal memory of Amsterdam. Its engraved skyline becomes a subtle reminder of home: the warmth of narrow streets, the calm rhythm of bicycles, the shimmer of canal reflections, and the city’s quiet romance. Wherever the wearer may go, this piece carries the gentle presence of the city — a sense of belonging, nostalgia, and freedom.
Visual Style & Materials
The visual language of the ring is defined by its balance between precision and softness. Clean, consistent engraving lines emphasize the architectural rhythm of Amsterdam’s façades, while the polished silver surface reflects light gently, adding a quiet sense of movement.
The contrast between the matte black engraving and the reflective silver surface enhances the depth of each line, creating a tactile dialogue between shadow and shine — echoing the graphic rhythm of Amsterdam’s black elements and façades.
This simplicity allows the emotional meaning of the piece to remain at the forefront — delicate, elegant, and deeply personal.
Design Solution
During the sketch development stage, the composition was refined by removing unnecessary small details to preserve clarity and visual lightness.
All engraving lines were kept at a uniform thickness to ensure consistency, while spacing between the houses was made more open to bring a feeling of airiness and space.
The composition is aligned along the bottom edge, with comfortable indentations from both sides of the ring, ensuring a neat and balanced appearance.
About the wearer
They value authenticity and the quiet poetry of everyday life: the sound of a bicycle passing by the canal, the rhythm of rain on the window, the light reflecting on old brick façades of Amsterdam. Their style is minimalistic yet full of meaning — drawn to details that hold stories.
For that person, jewelry becomes more than an accessory: a small, personal symbol of home, freedom, and mindful simplicity.
For that person, jewelry becomes more than an accessory: a small, personal symbol of home, freedom, and mindful simplicity.
This piece is designed to be gender-neutral, created for anyone who resonates with these same values and aesthetics — those who find beauty in quiet strength, in light, and in a sense of belonging.
