Day of the Dead ring- Recycled 100 year old silver coins

Day of the Dead ring (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is an ancient Aztec celebration some believe dates back over 3000 years. Today it is a fabulous Mexican holiday celebrated around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.

The calaca is a figure of a skull or skeleton (usually human) commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round. Tracing their origins from Aztec imagery, calacas are frequently shown with marigold flowers and foliage. As with other aspects of the Day of the Dead festival, calacas are generally depicted as joyous rather than mournful figures. They are often shown wearing festive clothing, dancing, and playing musical instruments to indicate a happy afterlife.

This draws on the Mexican belief that no dead soul likes to be thought of sadly, and that death should be a celebrated occasion. This goes back to Aztec beliefs, one of the few traditions to remain after the Spanish conquest. Calacas used in the festival include carved skull masks worn by revelers, small figures made out of carved wood or fired clay, and sweet treats in the form of skulls or skeletons. Calacas are sometimes made of wood, stone, or even candy. In this case recycled silver sixpence and shilling coins!

On each ring the calaca is cut from one of the silver coins and the band of the ring from the other coin. Throughout the band the details of the original coin are visible. The bands edges also show the hammer facets and marks left during its creation. On the other coin, a marker pen a quick inspired calaca sugar skull sketch is dropped on to the surface. I then meticulously carve away the design with a traditional hand engraving tool, and cut details using a traditional jewellers saw. Once the details are cut the calaca is joined to the band to form the ring.

As I hand-cut each coin individually to order, every one is completely unique and unusual. Smaller sizes are made from a pair of lucky sixpences. Medium sizes are made from silver shillings and larger sizes silver Florins. Handcrafted and recycled in Cambridge, UK. While you’re here, why not order a matching necklace and full get into celebrating Dia de Muertos?

Now complete with a solid 24ct gold tooth inlaid into the skull!

Sizes (Approx) 

Sixpences : 4 mm wide band – with 17 mm * 15 mm skull

Shillings :  7mm wide band – with 20 mm * 18 mm skull

Florins : 9mm – 10mm wide – band with 23 * 20 mm skull

Halfcrowns : 10mm – 12mm wide band – with 23 * 20 skull

These rings also make tremendous alternative, original wedding bands. Two coins turned into a lovely, original ring. ♻✄➷♥ℋℊ