Magic of OZ: A Ring Inspired by Ziggurats

Designing a Wearable Piece of History

In western Asian civilization, the greatest temple of gods is called ziggurats. This structure, with its terraced compound of successively receding stories or levels in the shape of pyramids, conveys the meaning of separation from disparate space on earth and reaching the skies. Inspired by this piece of Iranian architecture, designer Negar Atae created the Magic of OZ ring. By placing thin plates of gold like successively receding stories, the ring eventually reaches an opal stone, symbolizing spirituality.

The Magic of OZ ring stands out with its unique properties. The ability to rotate the gold plates 360 degrees gives the user the possibility of having various forms of the ziggurat. Another distinctive feature of this design is the use of an opal stone, which adds an element of elegance and symbolism.

The realization of this design involves a combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. The ring's mold is modeled using printing technology, and after going through stages such as wax injecting, making a wax tree, creating a plaster mold, and removing the wax, the golden parts are cut. In the final stage, the ring is coated with a champagne color through electroplating to achieve a shimmering effect. The ring also features four square-shaped plates that can rotate, allowing users to create different designs inspired by the ziggurat.

The Magic of OZ ring is meticulously crafted, with a green opal stone weighing approximately 1 gram and 18 grams of gold used in its production. The ring's specifications include a size of 54EU, with the four square-shaped plates measuring 12mm in length and width, and a total weight of 14 grams.

This ring is not just a piece of jewelry; it is a fusion of nature and history. The opal stone stabilizes energy in the chakras, improves blood flow, and offers potential therapeutic properties. By rotating the golden plates, users can enjoy different forms of the ring and contemplate the meaning of the ziggurat, which represents a journey from the corporeal world to reaching God.

The Magic of OZ ring was designed by Negar Atae and her team, including Hanieh Forootanmaram and Fatemeh Hatami. The project was initiated in September 2018 and finalized in February 2019 after building the prototype. Extensive research on temples and sanctums, particularly ziggurats, served as the foundation for this design. Ziggurats are solid structures made of sun-baked bricks, resembling stairs and symbolizing the connection between earth and the heavens.

Despite the challenges of capturing people's attention in a fast-paced world, the Magic of OZ ring aims to remind wearers of spirituality, peace, and the beauty of nature. By wearing this unique piece of history, individuals can carry a symbol of tranquility and calmness with them throughout their daily lives.

The Magic of OZ ring, with its exquisite design and meaningful inspiration, was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Jewelry, Eyewear, and Watch Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Magic of OZ ring stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Negar Atae,Hanieh Foroutan,Fateme Hatami
Image Credits: #1,2,3,4,5: Negar Ataee/Hanieh Forootanmaram/Fatemeh Hatami
Project Team Members: Negar Ataee,Hanieh ForootanMaram,Fatemeh Hatami
Project Name: Magic of OZ
Project Client: Negar Atae,Hanieh Foroutan,Fateme Hatami


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