Juliane Van Buskirk - Pearls of Wisdom

Artist: Juliane Van Buskirk, Colorado
Materials: recycled sterling silver, tourmaline, natural pearls, topaz, apatite
Size: 8
Dimensions: 30mm x 25mm, 13mm height, 10mm band width

Artist Statement: The design for this ring came to me as I reflected on my learning in the previous year. Many of the lessons I encountered were ones I had faced before (and thought, perhaps, that I had mastered though maybe with a twist or in a new context. As I stepped into these learning opportunities, often the learning was different; the challenges were easier to navigate, my tool box more full, and I was a quicker study. Why was that? The familiarity of the lessons? The tricks- pearls of wisdom- gleaned from prior efforts? A heart more open to the experiences? Maybe some of each. My ruminations formed as a visual- a spiral path ascending and continuous. This manifested in this pearl-studded spiral (those bits of wisdom we carry with us) tipped by an arrow of green tourmaline pointing the way forward. Green for new growth. Green - the color of the heart chakra- as a reminder to step forward in love.

Artist Bio: My story as a jeweler is a short one. My husband brought with him to our marriage (22 years ago) basic and old silversmithing tools. Of course, I wanted to learn how to use them. For years I dabbled. After leaving a career as a Montessori teacher about 10 years ago to follow my passion for making, I had time to immerse myself in learning jewelry making through the guidance and example of others, experimentation and play. My learning is constant and continuous, as I continue to shape my life as a artist-jeweler.


Watch a video of this ring HERE!


This ring is part of Battle of the Rings: Ring Smackdown 2022, an online exhibition and competition. Shop the entire collection HERE, view the matches HERE, and learn more HERE.

Rings from this collection will ship or be available for pick up after the competition concludes on April 29.