Rings of The Lord

As you may know, I am a well established jeweller based in Oakham, Rutland. I handmake fine jewellery using Diamonds, gemstones, pearls and my own handmade Murano Glass. If you would like a closer look then my website is www. heidikjeldsen.com.

Recently, I have been very busy working on a commission to make a gold ring for the new Bishop of Bedford, the Venerable Richard Atkinson who was consecrated last Thursday in St. Pauls Cathedral, London http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-richard-consecrated-at-st-pauls-cathedral. I was thrilled to be asked to make such an important piece of jewellery which will stand forever as an historical piece.

The first step was talking to Richard over delicious tea and cake at Launde Abbey www.laundeabbey.org.uk where I listened to exactly what he had in mind. Richard wanted the symbol known as the Chi-Rho. This is the oldest known monogram (or letter symbol) for Christ. Some call this symbol the “Christogram” and it dates back to the second century Roman Emperor Constantine who adopted the symbol for his army. Chi (x =ch) and Rho (p = r) and are the first three letters of “Christ” or “Christos” in the Greek language. I then took these ideas and we developed the CAD CAM pictures of what the ring might look like (insert just one probably top right picture). Once Richard had approved the design, it was then handmade in gold in our specialist workshop, and then hand engraved by our own in house engraver. In the meantime I had a special box made for the ring by the wonderful Peter Lloyd www.finehardwoodboxes.com in walnut, lined in blue velvet, and he personally hand engraved Richard’s initials, RA, onto the front.

Creating handmae jewellery is always a special experience, both for me and customers who commission bespoke pieces.

Whether I’m using diamonds or gemstones, pearls or my own handmade Murano glass, I take time to ensure every piece is exactly what the client envisaged. 

In fact, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a jeweller is to handcraft something unique, something that means so much to people.

Recently, for example, I was thrilled to be commissioned to create a special gold ring for the new Bishop of Bedford – the Venerable Richard Atkinson – who was consecrated in St. Pauls Cathedral, London on May 17th. 

Read about the ceremony here. I was thrilled to be asked to make such an important piece of jewellery which will stand forever as an historical piece.

From concept to creation

The first step was meeting Richard over delicious tea and cake at Launde Abbey to discuss exactly what he had in mind.

Richard wanted the symbol known as Chi-Rho, the oldest known monogram (or letter symbol) for Christ, to be embodied within the design 

Often referred to as Christogram, the symbol dates back to the second century Roman Emperor Constantine who adopted it for his army. Chi (x =ch) and Rho (p = r) are the first three letters of “Christ” or “Christos” in the Greek language. Inspired by these ideas, we first developed CAD CAM pictures of what the ring might look like.

Once Richard approved the design, it was handmade in gold in our specialist workshop, and then hand engraved by our own in-house engraver.

Presenting the finished product

Meanwhile, to mark the special occasion, I arranged an exclusive ring box made by the wonderful Peter Lloyd. Handcrafted in walnut, lined in elegant blue velvet, and hand engraved with Richard’s initials, it gave the ring a mark of distinction it truly deserved.

When you’re visiting Rutland, do pop into the shop in Oakham for a chat. Take a peek at a host of other jewellery designs on my website.