Woven Stories: Ribbon Ring
A rare form of horse-hair artistry, horse tail hair woven entirely by hand and captured in a sterling silver ring.
The Woven Stories Ribbon Ring showcases one of the most intricate and unusual techniques in horse-hair jewellery. Practised by very few makers, individual strands of horse hair are woven by hand into a miniature textile before being permanently inlaid into a substantial solid sterling silver ring.
At approximately 8 mm wide, the ring gives the weave enough presence for the remarkable detail of the handwoven horse hair to be appreciated, while the softly burnished silver and smooth, comfort-fit interior create a clean, contemporary setting.
Choose from four distinctive interpretations of the weave — Plain, Patterned, Brocade Lines and Racing Silk Lines — each offering a different way to celebrate the natural colours and character of your horse’s hair.
Each ring is individually made to order using your own horse’s tail hair, or horse hair selected from our collection. Natural variations in colour and tone become part of the finished weave, ensuring that no two pieces are ever quite alike.
Personal engraving can be added to the inside of the band.
- Solid sterling silver
- Approximately 8 mm wide with a comfort-fit interior
- Horse hair woven entirely by hand
- Made using your horse’s tail hair or our horse hair
- Plain, Patterned, Brocade Lines or Racing Silk Lines
- Optional personalised engraving
- Hallmarked by the London Assay Office
- Beautifully gift boxed
The Weave Styles
Plain Crinoline — an understated weave that allows the natural colour and character of the horse hair to take centre stage.
The Plain Crinoline is plain with no pattern and can be made either from single hair colour or by blending different hair colours which gives a repeating, mottled effect. "Crin" is of course French for "horse hair" and traditionally horse hair was woven into a stiff fabric, called "crinoline", which was used to stiffen ladies' underskirts and dress linings.
Patterned — contrasting horse hair colours are combined to create remarkably intricate miniature designs, from traditional tweeds and tiny motifs to stripes with a nod to British tailoring fabrics and Argentinian Gaucho belt-inspired geometric patterns.
Brocade Lines — fine strands of real silver bullion thread are woven through the horse hair, introducing a subtle flash of precious metal into the weave.
Brocade is a richly decorative, luxury fabric often woven with metallic thread. We incorporate into the woven horse hair band real silver bullion thread * spun for us by Benton & Johnson, one of the last traditional bullion thread suppliers in the UK.
Choose from:
925 (Silver, single), a single central thread
925 (Silver, double), double central threads
Racing Silk Lines — add a dash of colour to plain horse hair. Coloured silk is woven through the horse hair, allowing you to introduce a favourite colour, echo your racing or competition colours, or to create a striking contrast.
Ring Size
This ring is 8 mm wide and has a comfort-fit interior. Wider rings can fit differently from narrower rings, so please don't rely on the size of a narrow ring you already own.
If you know your size from an existing ring of a similar width, or have had your finger professionally measured using an appropriate wide-band sizer, you can specify your size when ordering.
If you're unsure, select “Please send me a ring sizer” when ordering. We'll send you a Wheatsheaf sizing set with rings of a similar width to this design so that you can establish the most comfortable fit at home.
Once you've chosen your size, return the sizers to us together with your horse hair and we'll begin making your ring.
As each ring is individually cast to the size ordered and the horse-hair inlay is permanently fitted, it cannot subsequently be resized. Please take particular care to establish the correct size before your ring is made.
Sending your horse hair
For all our handwoven designs, we require full-length tail hairs, ideally at least 40–45 cm long. Although the finished piece may be small, the hairs must be set up on the loom, so shorter cut lengths cannot be used.
Please send the hairs at their full length without trimming the ends. A small bundle is plenty—approximately the thickness of a fat pencil. Any unused hair will be returned with your finished jewellery.
Because horse hair naturally tapers, the strands must be woven with half running in each direction. Please secure the hair at the top with a rubber plaiting band or similar, leaving the full length loose. Send it clean, completely dry and free of tangles.
Making & Delivery
Each piece is individually handmade to order and commissions are completed in the order they are received.
If you have a particular date in mind, please tell us when ordering and we will do our best to accommodate it. If your date is essential, please contact us before placing your order.
Care & Longevity
The woven horse hair in your ring is made to be worn and enjoyed, but rings are naturally exposed to more wear than other pieces of jewellery and a little extra care will help preserve the inlay.
Avoid prolonged soaking and remove your ring before bathing, swimming, washing up or using household cleaning products. We also recommend removing it when applying hand creams, lotions or other products that may build up within the weave.
Take care to avoid snagging or abrading the woven surface. In particular, we recommend that you do not wear your woven ring directly alongside another ring with stones, settings or sharp edges that could rub against the inlay.
Racing Silk Lines require particular care, as the fine silk threads are more delicate than horse hair and can be damaged by repeated abrasion.
Please follow the care instructions supplied with your jewellery.
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