A Token of Their Love

When done right, a custom piece of jewelry tells a story through unique beauty and thoughtful design. For one Honest Hands customer, this meant creating a custom wedding band for her fiancée that captured their love story right from the very beginning. The design incorporated an arcade token saved from the couple's first date and a collection of shells and stones gathered from their favorite beaches. Together, these elements created a ring as meaningful as it was beautiful.

Every element of this ring carried a piece of the couple's love story. Working with unconventional and deeply sentimental materials required great attention and care to guarantee every detail of the couple's special memories was preserved in the ring-making process.

The plan for the design began with the arcade token, beautifully vintage and tarnished, which would become the ring's inner liner. Transforming the token into a durable, functional piece was an exciting challenge. First, we annealed the token, carefully heating the metal to soften it and make it pliable. This step made it possible to shape the token without the risk of cracking or warping under pressure.

The shells and stones were used for the outer inlay to capture the couple's adventurous spirit. These delicate souvenirs were crushed by hand and then artfully arranged to achieve the right balance of texture and color, creating a dynamic mosaic design. A resin coating was applied to protect the inlay and give the ring a smooth, polished finish.

To complete the design, we needed a sturdy base to support the token and the intricate inlay. The finished token was too thin to support the shell and stone design on its own, so a titanium band was handcrafted using Honest Hands' vintage Logan lathe. The titanium provided the strength and sleek foundation needed to bring all the elements together. Finally, the ring was buffed and polished to be worn confidently and comfortably.

Bringing all of these unique elements together, the ring is a symbol of love, memories, and craftsmanship. The proof is in the customer’s fiancée’s reaction, exclaiming “It’s beyond what I could have asked for or imagined. Absolute perfection.”

At Honest Hands, we believe every ring should reflect the unique paths of the people who wear them. Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind heirloom or a memento from your favorite place, we’re here to help you create something truly yours. If you’ve got an idea, let’s make it happen together.