ZOË

For years I've admired my father's signet ring emblazoned with our family crest and the family ties it represents. Given to him by my grandfather, it is meaningful both to him and to me. A few years ago, An remade my father's ring with a care and precision that completely transformed it, and since then I have dreamed of having a ring of my own. For my college graduation, my grandparents gave me the gift of my family ring crafted by An, an addition to our family of rings.

‘the gift of my own family ring crafted by An, an addition to our family of rings.’

I was able to meet with An for a conversation about my ring, and seeing his process was amazing; every decision is intentional, constructed with form, function, and me in mind. I love that my ring started as the same shape as my father's, with pieces cut away to reveal the structure of the ring. He kept the yellow gold to tie in with my family's rings, and incorporated white gold upon my request. Its shape and surface pay homage to its origins, and the two-toned metals and the elegant structure make it unique to me. An crafted a piece unlike anything I've ever seen: singular, beautiful, and personal.

 I am honored to have this expression and reminder of my family history with me always.

• Zoë, Durham, NC