Big bad rings. Lazy but effective.

Despite our relentless love of jewels we are sometimes very lazy when it comes to accessorising. Those days when all you want to do is wear a tshirt/jeans/trainers and still look remotely interesting? The solution is in the chunky bulky hardnut option of a huge, minimal stone ring (preferably articulated, i.e. with mechanic style moving parts; hinges, springs etc).

It confirms you still know what you're doing fashion-wise, you just can't really be bothered to construct a whole outfit.

The three current favourites include the horse-head 'Armour' rings (above) from label Matina Amanita, available from the increasingly good Kabiri for £375.

Although - we slightly suspect that designer was ever-so-slightly influenced by the mighty Vivienne Westwood: see below for Viv's 'Armour' ring. Yes - they didn't even bother changing the name. Yikes. Brave.


Vivienne's design (£175 in gold plated silver from here) has been around for years and also comes in a smaller version where you can open up the ring into 3 hinged rings and wear as a proper knuckle-duster. N.B: Ms Westwood does license out her jewellery designs - which means she doesn't actually design the pieces herself - so be aware that this is pretty much the only decent thing in the jewellery collection these days. No offence, Viv...

Finally, in a post on hardcore hardware, it wouldn't be right for us not to mention our beloved mens/womens/whatever designer Hannah Martin. Her men's 'Spur' ring in 18k yellow gold with minimal black diamonds can be sized to fit women - phew - costs £1750.

Yes, it may cost 10 times as much as Viv's but there will only be a limited run of 100 ever made, and it's solid 18k yellow gold. Worth every penny, we say.

Images copyright Matina Amanita 2009, Vivienne Westwood 2009 and Hannah Martin London 2009.