JOURNAL

How to secretly determine your partner's ring size.

RUUSK Couples: Ilana & Des

Having known each other since grade two, Ilana and Des remained close friends until university, where they professed their love for each other on a busy highway on the way to UNSW Oktoberfest. As Ilana describes; it was the most unromantic, yet exhilarating first date of their lives! Fast forward to 22nd December 2019, Ilana and Des, tie the knot at Wallalong house in the Hunter Valley.  Ilana and Des' wedding rings are an ode to their beautiful souls with Des opting for the 5mm Square ring, while Ilana chose two special bands, a Diamond and Sapphire Moon & Stars ring and her Xs Organic Band.  What are your star signs? Cancer and Sagittarius Describe each other in three words: Ilana is bubbly, compassionate and fierce.  Des is considered, considerate and cheeky.  What did you love most about your wedding? It was really important to us that we could be fully present throughout the day and make sure we focused our attention on each other, never letting go of each other the entire day. We made a special effort to step back from the day every hour to check in with each other and observe the love and celebration around us. We have these lovely little memories of standing away from the dance floor and feeling so warm as our families and friends weaved and danced together, no longer strangers.  What do you love most about your rings, how did you find your experience with RUUSK? We made a decision at the beginning of our wedding planning to only collaborate with vendors/designers that we could imagine being friends with. As soon as we met Tania, she became a really important part of our wedding process, adding a beautifully soft and personal touch to our ring design. The experience with RUUSK was something we looked forward to, so much so that we are now getting more heirloom pieces designed by Tania. The pieces continue to bring so much joy!  Above: Des' 5mm Square wedding band with personalised hand engraving: with you, I am home 22.12.19 What excites you most about life together? We are such opposites that life together is full of discovery and exciting challenges.   Hair & Make up: Rhiannon Dimaria | @hairbyrhie Photographer: The Salty Shutter | @thesaltyshutter Flowers: The Wild Side |  @thewildside__ Wedding Venue: Wallaong House Hunter Valley    Shop wedding bands for him here and for her here. To enquire about creating your own special bespoke piece, contact us here.

RUUSK Couples: Morgan & Ned

Describing Ned as adventurous, creative and damn funny; Morgan married Ned at the Merewether Surfhouse in Newcastle, just a few hours drive from Sydney on the NSW coast. Surrounded by all those special to them, the pair were filled with joy as they spent the day with those that they love the most. Morgan & Ned’s rings were designed and chosen with individual style in mind. Neds in particular a bespoke design that features hand carved texture for added detail. Morgan wears the Square Diamond Stars Ring. A hand carved square style, cast in solid gold with star set and flush set clear diamonds.  What are your star signs? Morgs is a Libra and Ned a Sagittarius Where was your first date? The Butler in Potts Point  Describe Ned in three words: Three words never feels like enough, however I’ll go with Ned as adventurous, creative and so damn funny!  Where did you get married? Merewether Surfhouse in Newcastle  What did you love most about your wedding? Everything! It’s impossible to choose. It's an incredible experience being surrounded by so many people you love so much and all of our vendors were just amazing! What do you love most about your rings, how did you find your experience with RUUSK? We LOVE them! They’re the perfect set and having one of your closest friends design them for you is a very special experience. Neds ring is especially unique and it suits him perfectly!  What excites you most about life together? All the adventures we have ahead of us and knowing how much fun we will have taking it all on together. Photographer: Scott Lahiff | @scottlahiffWedding dress designer: Emmy Mae Bridal | @emmy_mae__bridalHair & Make up: Bonnie | @bonnielouise_stylingFlowers: Maia | @still.life.floral.artCelebrant: Sophie | @cest_la_sophie Shop wedding bands for him here and for her here. To enquire about creating your own special bespoke piece, contact us here.  

With These Hands: Imby from KARMME

Starting her Sydney-based, leather accessories brand KARMME came from a place of practicality for Imby Langenbach. Having founded the brand after an injury and wanting a well-designed yet beautiful bag to keep all her daily essentials, Imby has since come to design handmade leather pieces which are inspired by her travels, especially those with her family, 4-wheel driving through the unseen landscapes of Australia. Name: Imby Langenbach Location: South Coogee, NSW Profession/ Business / Passion / Creative Outlet: owner/designer for KARMME, a leather accessories business based in Sydney. Star sign: Sagittarius Quote/words to live by: “Loving kindness is a freedom of the heart, a luminous blazing radiance.”  - Itivuttaka (1st Century BC) Favourite places to visit: Coogee beach for a walk and swim, SugarCane for a great Asian feed, Little Kitchen for the best crumpets and coffee, my studio to potter, the movies, road trips anywhere with my family. Describe your typical day: I try to get up, wake my three daughters for school, go for a walk and dip in the ocean before getting back and see them all off to school. Breakfast, coffee and then to the studio which is next door to where I live, very lucky, no travel involved! Each day is quite varied but generally in the mornings I catch up on emails, wrap and send out orders, try not to waste too much time scrolling IG! Then I might need to see my makers, leather supplier, fabric supplier, dye fabric, work on a new design, update website or think about/organise a photoshoot. I work on our building business as well, which involves design and accounts all before I get ready for the girls to come home from school. I call it shift three of the day, afternoon tea, after school activities, dinner homework etc. I can’t work too much at night so it's usually catching up with my husband before bed! Is your design approach intuitive or measured? How so?: Very intuitive I think...I like to design things that I need, so they are practical but I try to make them beautiful. The business started when I wanted something to put my phone, keys and wallet in after I’d had neck surgery and didn’t want to carry a heavy shoulder bag anymore, I just wanted something simple, practical and beautiful so I made it. That’s how all the subsequent designs have happened, a need then fulfilling it with a beautifully designed and made product. Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?: I am inspired a lot by the colours I see particularly when we go on family holidays. We road trip often so I have experienced the vast land of Australia and seen a lot of its raw beauty. The colours are so mind blowing and I’m often dreaming up a collection as I stare out the window. I love exploring the texture of the leather, so the shapes are often inspired by the fall of the soft supple leather I use. What's your most memorable Australian location?: We have road tripped from Perth to Cape Leveque (West of Broome), Alice Springs to Darwin, Darwin to Cape Leveque  and recently Perth to Sydney with smaller road trips on the East Coast too. Cape Leveque which is about 250kms west of Broome in far North West Australia is one of the most magical place I’ve ever been and I’ve travelled extensively throughout the world. Its remote, a red dirt road that you bump along for 4 hours gets you there and then the colour of the water, the iron rich cliff faces and white sand make it seem almost unreal. The first time we stayed there we were in our 4WD tent on the cliff and woke to an incredible sunrise that I’ll never forget. I thought that was my favourite place until on our recent trip we went to far South West Australia, 100 kms or so further from Esperance to a place called Wharton Beach, this blew my mind. Turquoise/aqua water with the finest powdery, squeaky sand. We walked to some remote beaches from our caravan park and had the beach literally to ourselves, such a special place and time for us. Advice you would give to your younger self: It's ok not to be into music and stuff that your friends are into, one day you’ll know why you always need to create it's how you regenerate. With these hands I… make. I make things that I think are beautiful and that I want to use every day. I take care to make things that last well, are practical and versatile, do not follow trends or seasons. I share a little of me each time a piece of KARMME passes through my hands to those who choose to support my business. Website: www.karmme.com.au Instagram: @karmmehq Photos by: Kaitlyn Bosnjak Imby wears her True North Necklace, custom RUUSK Cuffs and Thin Organic ring throughout

Women In RUUSK: Madeleine Chard From Female Form

Ahead of Mother's Day this year, we had the opportunity to sit down with Madeleine Chard, founder of minimalist, organic underwear brand, Female Form. 

Amie and Shell's Double NYC Proposal

Amie and Shell's double NYC proposal is a story that we've been eagerly wanting to share, and definitely one that we'll be re-telling for years to come! Both Amie and Shell who have been longtime clients of ours, came to RUUSK (unbeknownst to each other), both wanting to create special engagement rings for their significant other. Not only that...they also individually wanted to surprise the other and propose on their upcoming Christmas trip to NYC. With such a big secret to keep, we worked with girls individually and  it was such a honour to be able to create such meaningful pieces for them, especially knowing what was going to unfold... What are your star signs? Libra and Aries   Who proposed first? Amie got in first with a proposal, but only by one day! Amie, tell us how you proposed to Shell? Where were you? What made you pick that moment? We had been planning to go overseas for Christmas and eventually decided on New York City for the bucket-list white Christmas we both wanted. Forsaking a big grand gesture, it meant more to me to create an intimate moment to ask her where it was just the two of us.  Our holiday was our Christmas gift to each other but to make it feel a little more festive we agreed to get each other a small surprise to open on Christmas day - a perfect solution to the issue of hiding the ring!  I set up a decoy present a couple of weeks earlier to make it less obvious and packed both it and the ring wrapped for Shell to open on Christmas morning. We were staying in an adorable apartment in the Meatpacking district and fatefully the owner had put up a small Christmas tree for us perfectly decorated with fairy lights, a single yellow taxi ornament and topped with a glittering unicorn. It was absolutely perfect! I barely slept a wink on Christmas Eve. I had written a short speech before we left that I had trying to memorise up until that day, so at 6am on Christmas morning I was wide awake with excitement and nervous anticipation trying to recite my speech in my head. Shell was fast asleep next to me for what felt like an eternity but eventually she woke up and we put on our tacky Christmas themed pyjamas we had bought specially for the trip and went to open the gifts under the tree. Shell had confessed the night before she didn’t have a gift ready for me to open on Christmas Day (all the while she had ring ready and waiting for her own proposal) so I said it’s okay, you open one and I will open one for us both.  Sitting on the floor under our little NY Christmas tree directly opposite her, I gave her the other present to open first, which she opened to find a NYC snow globe engraved reading “and so our biggest adventure begins” with the date 25.12.2019. Michelle burst into tears, making my heart temporarily stop with fear, when I asked her what/s wrong and she replied ‘nothing, I’m just happy’ I took a deep breath and nervously asked her if she wanted me to open the other present and she nodded. I fumbled open the wrapping paper to reveal the small white box, looked up at Shell and forgot everything I had prepared to say! I started to give a very jumbled, disjointed and teary version of it and eventually got the the point, opened the box and asked “Will you marry me and share forever with me?” To my relief and pure joy she said yes. In fact she took the ring herself and put it straight on her finger, and then said, “oh wait - you’re supposed to do that!” We both laughed and smiled and kissed to seal the deal. It’s safe to say it was the best Christmas ever. Shell, were you surprised when Amie proposed to you? How did you feel?  Christmas morning rolled around and Amie was so excited for me to open my present. I opened the snow Globe and read “and so our biggest adventure begins”. I burst into tears.. I think I scared Amie a bit. Until I could catch my breath,I was crying because I was so unbelievably happy as I knew that she was about to ask me to spend my life with her. My heart has never felt like it did in that moment. Amie unwrapped the ring and proposed... I just felt my body flood with joy, tears ran down my face, my heart was so content.  And how and where did you eventually propose to Amie? When thinking of proposing to Amie I had so many grand plans. The plan I had hoped for was that I could propose to Amie in the snow. She had never seen/experienced falling snow before. Knowing I wanted to spend my life with Amie, going forward I just wanted to experience every one of life's firsts with her. I made a plan that, if it didn’t snow before Christmas Eve, I would propose to her then - ironically thinking Christmas was too obvious in case she was onto me.  When Amie proposed to me on Christmas morning I was so confused and actually nearly out of pure joy got the ring and proposed to her right there and then, but I stopped myself thinking she deserved her day and a surprise of her own. In the morning I took Amie for a walk on the High Line, then we went to Central Park to explore. While walking through Central Park I took us away from the crowds and made Amie jump a fence “for a picture”.  In a grass field in the park I put the ring box up my sleeve while I set the camera up. I came over so confident, knowing what I had planned to say. We posed for a “picture” and I turned to Amie... all of the words I had prepared were gone, I did get out that I loved her and wanted to spend my whole life with her. I got down on one knee and asked Amie to marry me. I can confidently say she was surprised and had no idea that I also had a ring and a RUUSK ring at that. She burst out laughing and said “YES, OF COURSE I WILL MARRY YOU”. Amie, what did you think when Shell proposed to you and realised you both had been planning to propose to each other on the same trip? I was in total disbelief and shock when Shell proposed to me on boxing day - she didn’t give anything away! Although in hindsight she was a bit anxious and I did think it was weird that she wasn’t interested in looking at any of the main attractions in Central Park. When she asked me to go and pose for the photo, I was so clueless that I didn’t even realise she was proposing to me until half way through when she dropped down onto one knee and pulled out the ring - I  actually burst out laughing out of pure happiness. I have never smiled so much in my whole life!  We both found it hilarious that we had been planning to propose on the same trip, and each designed two very similar yet perfectly individual rings from RUUSK.  We remarked about how Tania must have felt keeping our rings a secret from each of us and knowing that both of us were planning to propose. When we finally ran out of laughter, we had to then deliberate about how we were going to announce our second engagement in two days!  All in all it couldn’t have gone better if we had planned it. It seemed tragically romantic but it was no doubt that we were both on the same page and both definitely ready for this huge commitment and next step in our relationship. It showed we are more in sync that we realised! Did either of you have an inkling about any of this? Amie: I personally had no idea whatsoever that Shell was going to propose to me. Maybe because I was so focused on my own proposal to her and trying to keep it a secret! Even when a friend had joked to me before the holiday “what if Shell is planning to propose as well?” I didn’t consider that was going to happen! Shell is typically terrible a keeping secrets - she is the kind of person who agonises and deliberates and has to talk about everything! I knew that she wanted to get married because naturally as two women we had talked about our dreams and plans for our future together a lot, but she had me tricked into believing that she wanted to buy me a ring that she couldn’t afford it at the time!  Shell: I had a sneaky suspicion that Amie may propose, knowing me too well she threw me off her tracks though. I was extremely surprised Amie had bought me a RUUSK ring. Probably because I couldn’t believe Tania had pulled off such a surprise with no hint or even slight slip up while she was working with both of us in secret, all the while knowing what each other was planning and working on. I must say I honestly had no idea, when Amie and I could both finally tell each other everything we both laughed thinking about how we both had no idea through the whole process. What do you both love about your rings? Amie: I’m absolutely in love with my ring, I don’t think I could have chosen anything more perfect than what Shell and Tania created. I love the brushed gold finish that makes it feel a little less ‘bling’ and makes the gold a perfect colour to perfectly compliment the warm and rustic tone of the champagne diamond Shell chose for me. The two tiny clear diamonds either side of the centre stone are such a nice, simple addition that makes it feel really bespoke and one of a kind. My band is perfectly thin and dainty and so unbelievably light I have to double check it is still on my finger at times! More than anything I love what it represents and its sentimental value. The thought and attention to detail that went into it makes it so special just like our love.  (Amie's Bespoke Engagement ring: Solitaire Champagne Diamond ring with flush-set Clear Diamonds in band, contact us to create your bespoke piece, shop similar engagement bands) Shell: I love my ring. Every part of it makes it special to me. The fact that Amie picked the details and designed it, the fact that Tania so carefully and wonderfully made it a reality. Amie picked a salt and pepper diamond for my ring. She said to me once when describing why she loved those diamonds - “they are perfectly, imperfect” She said when she proposed that she chose this stone because it reminded her of me as it is beautiful, rare and truly one of a kind, not in spite of its flaws, but because of them. I love that everyday my ring reminds me of my Amie. That in everything there is beauty and perfection in its own right. The True North cut into the front ties into the RUUSK necklace I bought for Amie on our first Christmas together as a couple. Everyday I look down to my ring and I smile, it’s perfect.  (Shell's bespoke Engagement ring; custom carved Salt and Pepper Solitaire Diamond with star-set Diamond in the bezel, contact us to create your bespoke piece, shop similar engagement bands)) How was your experience with RUUSK? We have had the best experience with RUUSK. We have both always adored and admired Tania’s work and all of her beautiful RUUSK pieces she has made that are distinctly different and unique from any other jeweller we have seen - which is probably why we both went to her to create our special rings. This is not the first time Tania has played a part in our love story either! We put Tania in the same position of having to keep a secret from the other but that time it was with necklaces! Christmas of 2018 unbeknownst to each other we both asked Tania to create a special necklace for the other which she pulled off perfectly - and I vaguely recall assuring her we wouldn’t do that to her again!   The thing we love most about RUUSK is that every single piece of jewellery has its own personal story and is made with love both from the customers purpose and Tania’s passion for her craft that is expressed so clearly in the details. We are certain this is not the last time RUUSK will feature in our story!

RUUSK Couples: Carmen & Gábor

Having met whilst they were in Budapest, Hungary, Carmen and Gábor celebrated their wedding festivities along the beautiful coast of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. The highlight of their day was celebrating amongst their closest family and friends at King Parrot Cottages, nestled in the bushlands of the Otway Ranges. Gábor and Carmen's wedding bands represented their own individual styles, with Gábor opting for a Round yellow gold band featuring a flush-set Sapphire, while Carmen's white gold Wave Band with flush-set diamonds paired perfectly with her engagement ring. What are your star signs? Aquarius and Gemini Where was your first date? A little restaurant in Budapest, Hungary (city we first met). Describe each other in three words. Gábor is funny, affectionate, supportive. Carmen is spontaneous, beautiful, considerate. Where did you get married? We fell in love with our venue, King Parrot Cottages. It’s close to one of our favourite coastal towns along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. There are multiple cottages scattered around the huge property that we had our close friends and family stay in. We had the whole venue to ourselves for a few days, so the celebrations lasted all weekend! What did you love most about your wedding? We enjoyed having a small and intimate setting with our closest friends and family, but honestly we loved everyone who was there, from the caterers to the guys behind the cameras and DJ - they all made it so much fun and we had a ball! The food was pretty amazing too! What do you love most about your rings, how did you find your experience with RUUSK? We were looking around for rings for a while and just never found anything that we both really loved. Gabor was the one who found RUUSK. From the very beginning, once we got in touch with Tania, it was such an easy process to design the rings and overall was such a pleasant experience that made it all the more special. We received two stunning pieces that we both could not wait to wear! Carmen's wave ring fits perfectly with her engagement ring and Gabor loves the weight of his and the sapphire gem. Featuring Gábor's 5mm Round Band customised with a Sapphire and Carmen's Wave Band. What excites you most about life together?  All the adventures! We love living life together and just excited to be creating so many new memories.  Photographer: Nic Stephens | @nicstephensphotography Wedding dress designer: Spell and the Gypsy | @spell_bride Hair & Make up: Genna Nelson and Jenna Keast |  @makeupbygennanelson and Jenna Keast Flowers: Thistle Flower Studio |  @thistleflowerstudio              Celebrant (and DJ!):  Sean Whelan @marrymesean_celebrant Shop wedding bands for him here and for her here. To enquire about creating your own special bespoke piece, contact us here.

With These Hands: Tara From Provider Store

For Tara Bennett, Designer and Founder of design hub, Provider Store in Surry Hills - she finds she's most inspired when she is travelling. Either sourcing pieces from craftsmen through her travels around the world or handcrafting her own range of candles and ceramics, all of the pieces found in Tara's store are made with intent and care. Tara shares her story with us, including how Japanese culture and design has come to inspire her. Name: Tara Bennett Location: Surry Hills, Sydney Profession/ Business / Passion / Creative Outlet: Provider Store  Star sign: Aquarius Quote/words to live by: “Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today” Favourite places to visit: Japan is my favourite country to visit and get inspiration. Paris is my favourite city to admire the buildings, see amazing art and fashion. In Sydney, I love drinking coffee at Artificer, having an afternoon beer at The Rose in Erskineville, eating at Cairo Takeway or Taste of Turkey on Enmore Road and walking Pocari (her adorable Shiba!) in Sydney Park. Describe your typical day: I am in the studio around 8.30 each day but it’s always different. Sometimes it’s making candles, sometimes it’s taking photos, teaching workshops or serving people… Unfortunately the bigger you get the more boring things you have to do like accounting. Is your design approach intuitive or measured?: Intuitive for sure. I just follow what I love and roll with it. I have a very organised chaos personality so I struggle with structured processes. Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?: Travel. When I think about when I am most motivated and inspired it’s either while I am travelling or as soon as I get back. Whenever I am in Japan I always make a little trip into the supermarkets and drift around the aisles looking for interesting labels. I always walk out feeling inspired… weird I know but you should see my cool collection of mackerel cans. Tara wears; Organic Bangle, Peak Ring & Onda Band Advice you would give to your younger self: You should have quit for your day job sooner. With these hands I… Source one-off hand made pieces, meet craftsmen from around the world and hand make reusable homewares.  Website: providerstore.com.au Store address : 381b Riley St, Surry Hills Instagram: @theproviderstore Photography: Kaitlyn Bosnjak | @justfilm_

RUUSK Couples: Bri & Theo

Bri and Theo exchanged vows under the backdrop of Theo's childhood home, surrounded by beautiful gumtrees in the bushlands of Forcett, south-east of Tasmania. They celebrated their special day amongst their nearest and dearest (pets included), and with the surprise of rain, their plans of an outdoor wedding were diverted into the beautiful and intimate walls of the local town hall. Having commemorated Theo's family roots, Bri commemorated hers with an heirloom passed down to her from her late grandmother. The heirloom eternity ring was given new life through the creation of their wedding bands, both featuring diamonds from the original piece, commemorating the past, present and the future of their family. Describe each other in three words. Theo to Bri: Supportive, loving and loyal.  Bri to Theo: Inspiring, inquisitive and calming.  Where did you get married? We got married in bushland around Theo’s childhood home in Forcett, Tasmania. Our closest friends and family gathered under gumtrees in an intimate ceremony to watch us tie the knot.  What did you love most about your wedding?  We loved being able to have all our family and friends (and pets!) together in one place to celebrate and party with us! What do you love most about your rings?  We love the heirloom diamonds in both of our rings. Bri’s late grandmother’s eternity ring was passed on to her from one of her aunties. We knew immediately we wanted to incorporate some of the tiny diamonds from her ring into our wedding bands.   Featuring Rose Gold Thin New Moon Ring &  Rose Gold 6.5mm Round Ring (customised with heirloom diamond) What excites you most about life together?   Being able to work towards building our forever home and starting our family together. It’s nice to know that whatever life throws at us, good and bad, we’ll always have each other to lean on.   Photographer: Jon Gazzignato Wedding dress designer: Spell Bride Shop wedding bands for her and him. To customise your wedding band, contact us.