Fall of Icarus

4/11/2022: The Fall of Icarus V2 is released.

I said a while ago that I wasn’t super happy with the state of this ring. I still think it was a good concept but the execution was messy and feels flawed to me (See last 4 images for the old version). So I’ve revisited the year old design with new techniques and skills and remade it into something much cleaner and more readable. 

About the Piece:

The Fall of Icarus is a vertical rectangle signet ring engraved with a depiction of Icarus’s fall from ancient Greek mythology. The piece is crafted in such a way that it works as a canvas for precise and detailed engraving. On the inside of the ring, the name of the piece is engraved, surrounded by a laurel wreathe. The face of the ring is pretty thin, so it won’t be too noticeable on your finger despite the large face.

The myth of Icarus’s Fall is an ancient story, written to serve as a warning on the dangers of hubris. Key elements of the story are reflected in the design of the piece, including the sun, ocean, olive branches, and Icarus himself. The story is as follows: Icarus’ father, Daedalus, crafts them wings made of feathers and wax, so that they may both fly away and escape the island of Crete, where they are held captive by King Midas. Before they take flight, Daedalus tells his son “Let me warn you, Icarus, to take the middle way, in case the moisture weighs down your wings, if you fly too low, or if you go too high, the sun scorches them. Travel between the extremes.” However, Icarus is so awestruck by being able to fly that he does not heed his father’s advice. He flies too high, and the sun melts the wax holding together his wings, causing him to fall to his death. Let this piece serve as a reminder to always stay vigilant, especially in new situations, and always heed the advice of those more experienced than you. 

The Fall of Icarus is forged from 935 Argentium using techniques dating back over 6,000 years. Each piece is made to order and handcrafted by me. The ring comes with a certificate of authenticity in a wax-sealed envelope so you know it’s the real deal. 

Made to Order:

Do you really want a ring off some dusty shelf in a stock cupboard? I know I don’t. That’s why I ensure all Urban Sterling products are made to order, just for you. Here’s how I run things: when I see that you’ve just placed an order, I immediately notify my casting house in Sydney so they can get your ring started ASAP. Within a week the raw-cast will arrive at my studio, where I’ll start work on it. After I cut, sand, buff, emery, polish, and clean it by hand, it gets placed into a box with your order number in it. I pack the documentation for the piece into an envelope, sign the certificate of authenticity, and wax seal it shut. Then it goes from my studio straight to your home (or nearby post office knowing AusPost). My jewellery is made to reflect your personality and go with you everywhere, so it just wouldn’t feel right keeping it in a plastic bag in a dark cupboard.

Ethical Practices:

All US Co. rings are made from 100% sustainably sourced precious metals. I personally guarantee the Argentium silver I use does not cause, support or benefit unlawful conflict, or contribute to human rights abuses or breaches of international law. You can read more about Urban Sterling ethical practices here. As well as on the Argentium website here.

Sizing:

I produce rings using US sizing because it just makes more sense. Please make sure you have the correct size since it is very difficult to resize a ring like this due to the flat face, which can be warped during resizing. I’ve provided some sizing charts here for your convenience. Also note you can order using “Buy now, size later” and I’ll express post you a ring sizer free of charge! Usually this sizer will arrive the next business day. After you’ve found your perfect size, simply DM me on Instagram or send me an email (contact@urbansterling.co) and I’ll get it immediately into production.

Lifetime Warranty:

Every Urban Sterling ring is covered by my lifetime warranty guarantee. Your piece will be free from scratches, chips, tarnish, poor finishing, manufacturing faults and breaks, in other words it’ll be perfect. Note that some of my rings may have very slight distressing incorporated into the design, as is typical for handmade products. I personally make every ring by hand and check them thoroughly so it’s unlikely you’ll ever need this warranty, but it’s there for your peace of mind. Also! If you manage to scratch / chip the ring yourself, I offer a free restoration service in-house.

After your order is placed expect to wait around 1-2 weeks for your Fall of Icarus to arrive as all Urban Sterling products are handcrafted and made to order. The ring you receive will be polished 935 Argentium Silver.

The large jump between prices for a size 11 and 11.5 is due to 11.5+ not being in the size range for the original mould. Instead of making these sizes unavailable, I’ve decided to custom make them on request for a higher price to reflect the much more expensive production process.