Botanical Rings
The natural world around us offers so much design inspiration, from graphic patterns to flowing leaves. This collection of jewelry highlights works that celebrate trees, plants, leaves, and seeds found in the great outdoors. These ring motifs are perfect for nature lovers, biologists, botanists, horticulturalists, farmers, landscape designers, and even historians!
Many of these plants already have historical precedence and prominence in jewelry design, so we’ve included background on their symbolism and cultural meaning.
-Acanthus Ring-
Originating as a motif in ancient Greek and Roman times, the acanthus leaf has been an important element of architectural columns and decorative arts throughout the ages. An acanthus ring would be the perfect jewelry element for an architect or lover of ancient ruins.
-Acorn Rings-
Acorns contain a single seed from an oak tree and have are a dietary staple for wildlife and early humans. As an artistic element, they are present in Roman architecture, as well as Celtic and Scandinavian art.
-Aspen Leaf Ring-
A tree of the northern hemisphere, Aspens start as a single seed and can grow and multiply into a clonal colony with their rhizomatic roots. The oldest cluster of Aspens, called Pando in Utah, is thought to be 80,000 years old. Aspens are known to “tremble” in the wind, this is due to their aerodynamic
-Banyan Tree Roots Rings-
Well known for their very visible Aerial roots, banyan trees are beautiful sculptural inspiration for a ring design. For this couple in Hawaii, their complementary wedding rings represent a bit of home wherever they go.
-Bonsai Tree Jewelry-
The Japanese art of growing trees in miniature dates back over 1,000 years. Like a bonsai, jewelry can be small symbolic representations of a larger story and history captured in a tiny object.
-Clover Rings and Jewelry-
Including this traditional Irish symbol in your rings is a wonderful way to always keep a lucky four-leaf clover in sight!
-Douglas Fir Tree Ring-
Native to North America, Douglas Fir trees are a prominent symbol of the Pacific Northwest and a great addition to the ring of a hiker or backpacker.
-Douglas Fir Cone Ring-
All parts of a plant can be used as inspiration for jewelry design, from leaves to seeds. We think engraving the pattern of a douglas fir cone is a fun take on interpreting a natural element in jewelry!
-Eucalyptus Ring-
Most species of the Eucalyptus plant are native to Australia and make up 3/4 of the continent’s forests. We love how one side of this ring references the leaf and gum nut of eucalyptus and the other side references PNW botanicals. Jewelry can tell a story of where you have been and where you are going.
-Fern Ring-
Ferns are a beautiful plant that can be traced back to fossils formed 360 million years ago. This carved fern pattern would make a wonderful ring for an archaeologist or conservationist!
-Fiddlehead Fern Ring-
Fiddleheads are the new growth of a fern plant spring from the center of the plant as tightly curled fronds that then unfurl. In jewelry, filigree curls are a lovely way to represent the new growth of a fern plant. These two beautiful designs look light they came straight from the forest.
-Fruits & Vegetables-
Fruit and vegetables are lovely details to include in rings for gardeners, farmers, and horticulturists. There’s lots of historical precedence including fruits and vegetables in jewelry design, so updating the genre with a brussel sprout ring or starfruit wedding set is right on trend!
-Brussels Sprout Ring-
-Grape Rings-
The perfect ring design for a vintner or wine enthusiast, a grape pattern is a classic motif to add to a wedding band. Purple diamonds make the grape motif stand out more in this wine lover’s engagement ring.
Peach Ring
Starfruit
-Gingko Rings & Necklace-
Considered a Living Fossil, with specimens found dating back 270 million years, ginko leaves are an iconic botanical specimen. Translating a ginko leaf to jewelry results in delicate fans of metal carefully engraved with linear veins.
-Grains-
Grains have been a popular motif for jewelry starting in the 19th century when they often adorned the wedding ring of a farmer’s wife to symbolize a bountiful harvest. Today, we most often see running wheat pattern or a wheat engraving as a pattern that completes an accurate recreation of antique jewelry. If you feel at home when you see a field of grain, then a unique wheat or barley engraving pattern would be a lovely addition to your wedding jewelry.
-Barley Ring-
-Oat Rings-
-Wheat Rings-
-Hop Ring-
If you’re an IPA beer lover, then you’ll this green gold inlaid hop engraved wedding band was made for you. Though not technically a vine (Humulus are bines), their height range from 15-20 ft tall with proper trellis support. It is the female plants that are cultivated to produce the cones harvested to make beer, and are what make this leaf and vine pattern extra special. This hop motif is a fresh take on a classic engraving pattern!
-Ivy Rings-
A notable evergreen, ivy plants were found remarkable by many European cultures for their ability to survive the winter and to grow in such a clinging fashion. For this reason, ivy represented love, friendship, and eternal life. Historically, young newlyweds were often gifted ivy by their priest, and the plant was often brought into the home to expel wicked spirits.
-Japanese Maple Leaf Ring-
Cultivated in Japan for centuries, Japanese Maples are a beautiful part of any garden and are well known for their fiery variety of colors and diverse range of leaf shapes.
-Juniper Necklace-
Most well known for being a culinary spice and ingredient in gin, juniper was traditionally used in Scottish and Gaelic blessings of the New Year to protect a household and bless their inhabitants.
-Kelp Ring-
A forest of kelp is an enchanting sight to see floating across the water. This unique kelp patterned band would make a lovely wedding ring for a marine biologist or someone fascinated with ocean life.
-Maple Leaf Rings-
The most iconic symbol of Canada, the maple leaf has a history as “the king of our forest; … the symbol of the Canadian people.” according to the first Mayor of Montreal. Golden maple leaves were the symbol of Ontario, while green leaves represented Montreal. In 1965 the Canadian flag we know today was created with a graphic leaf that does not reference any particular species of maple.
-Monstera Ring-
-Mushroom Rings-
-Oak Tree Ring-
-Palm Tree Rings-
-Pine Tree Ring-
There are 126 recognized species of pine trees in the Pinus genus, and we could say there are at least that many ways to include these coniferous plants in a ring design. A wonderful symbol of the Pacific Northwest, we include many pine trees in our local ring designs.
-Pine Cone Ring-
-Succulent Ring-
There are so many gorgeous succulents with unique textures and shapes. This halo design is a unique way to pay homage to these desert plants and is perfect for someone who loves tending to their indoor succulent collection.
-Western Red Cedar Rings-
-Willow Tree Ring-
One of the first remedies for aches and fever, Willow bark was widely used by ancient Civilizations and Native Americans as a medical treatment before the use of aspirin. Willow trees are well know for their very slender branches that can even be woven into living sculptures: a very artistic plant, perfect for a custom design.
