Throughout most of Europe, there flourished an art form of graceful interlace that was to adorn everything from standing stones in sacred places to personal adornment and jewelry.

     The Celts drew mesmeric spirals and swirls, envisioning the world as a series of cycles passing from one to the other. Originally, the knot work appeared in ancient Scandinavia and was introduced to the Celts through raids and cultural interchange.

     However, it was the Celts that truly made this motif a work of art. Their vision of the world flowed from spiral to knot, both representing interconnectedness of all life, and the cyclical nature of the world.

     Like a spider's web, no part can be touched without affecting the whole. Tapping into the Great Spirit, the One, and the incredible potential that is yours. Just as the single strands of the cord are somewhat fragile, when woven together, the rope is far stronger than all of its individual parts.

     These unique designs symbolize Love in the form of the heart, the hands speak of the friendship cradling it, and the crown of fidelity (The crown was added much later by Queen Victoria to mean loyalty to one’s love… and most probably the British Imperial crown). 

     Legend has it that a young man named Richard Joyce was captured just prior to his wedding, sold into slavery by pirates, and wound up in the Algeria and learned goldsmithing. He fashioned this design for his beloved. When he finally returned to Ireland, he gave this ring to his betrothed.

     Wear this on your right hand with the heart turned outwards and you are demonstrating to the world that your heart is not yet won. Worn on the left hand with heart turned inwards, it means two loves joined in matrimony. This finger has a vein that goes directly to the heart.

     Enjoy this unique design, and may you add more color to it's meaning by your own appreciation, personal symbolism and further adventures!

     From ancient Greece comes the reverence for one path to Divinity, it is the path of Ecstasy, joy, frolic and fun. The God of this path is Dionysus, and his vehicle to seek this ecstatic state was that of the fruit of the vine, wine. Not particularly interested in moderation, this path may lead towards a hangover, but if properly administered, a divine state of faux-bliss is reached, as close as us mortals are allowed to reach on this path. Dionysus ascended to Olympus with the great gods when Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth, retired. His dedication of the art of the vintner.

     The story of Grapes reveal that a relationship is like fine wine, for as your relationship gets closer it's like brandy, which becomes better with age. This ring is one for celebration, congratulation, and success. What better way to celebrate than the symbol of the merriment of the Gods?

     The Art Nouveau movement is a major inspirational motif for Da’oud. It was an art movement during the later decades of the 19th century. A classic late-Victorian motif, it casted off the rigid designs of the earlier Neo-Gothic movement. Smooth lines and sudden curves, almost like trailing smoke, was its defining feature. Nature themes, with plants and flowers, were a popular things to be represented in this art form.

     A rediscovered interest in Egyptian and Celtic art were also nurtured during this period, motifs you can clearly see in Da’oud’s style. Many of his rings are inspired by the art of the greats like Mucha, Klimt, Beardsley, and Larche. He is particularly drawn to inspiration from Art Nouveau jewelers like Aucoc and Lalique.

     Three was a very powerful number to the Celts throughout Europe. This talisman shows the interaction of the threefold path. Whichever way you want to see things, it can be divided into three's. The three of Cups, Father Son and Holy Ghost; Maid Mother Crone; Past present, and future; me, my wife, and our dog, or any way you cut it, they all fold together in the Cosmos to express the whole.  

     Although many knots could be termed an "Eternity Knot", any knot that has a closed path, with no beginning or end may be symbolic of continuum or eternity. Since knot work is often used as an emblem of heritage, the symbolism of "continuum" reinforces the endurance of the tradition.

     The Tri-fold structure of the triscalia /triskalia/trefoil/triquetra knot is universal in Celtic cultures across Europe. The three points suggest the coming together of past, present, and future.

     These bands are composed of intertwining ivy and forget-me-nots, both of which have symbolic meaning going back to ancient times. Ivy, in Greek mythology was associated with the Dionysian cult of wine and worldly pleasures, unrestrained joy give or take a few hangovers. The Romans used a draft of ivy leaves boiled in wine as a "hair of the dog" remedy for hangover. Later, Ivy's tenacious ability to hang in there made it a fitting symbol for a strong relationship in medieval symbolism.

     The flowers of the Forget-me-not symbolize true love and remembrance. They have a long history in Pharmacopeia, the petals, stems and leaves being used to treat illness and injury for millennia. Truly, a flower not to be forgotten.

     This design was inspired by an experience on a canoe one night. The clouds parted to allow moonlight to reveal the swirls from the paddle on the lake's surface. The paddle dipped in the water and the water swirled about it. It is from this psyche-Celtic frame of mind Da’oud created the Celtic Swirl designs.

     The waves resembled the interweaving nature of the Celtic knot, both representing eternity and the cycle of life. It encompasses both the connectivity of life in the knot work, but also the ever flowing, ever changing nature of that same life in the water.

     Gurus and Spiritual teachers are often depicted residing on a mountain peak. A mountain peak is as close as man can get to the heavens with his clothes on. Geologically, mountains are an expression of the Earth's dynamic orogenic up thrusting. A volcano is in full eruption, symbolizing passion and energy. Deep seated and enduring, yet dynamic and hot, yours is a living and vital relationship meant to go places. Mountain peaks represent strength, endurance, and the pinnacle of human expectations and endeavors.

     Along with all of the symbolism of the very grounded and enduring Mountains, this design has a lively white water river to symbolize the aspect of water, flowing with change, and of the journey of love. The Mountain Rivers Band has a river coming from a cleft in the mountain range, the river winds around the band to pass next to the mountains. The Sun in the waves symbolizes optimism, hope and the qualities of radiant light, a force that illuminates all it touches.

     Diamonds may be forever, but the romantic significance of the Rose goes back much further than the popular gemstone. Roses have been attributed to goddess like Isis and Aphrodite, showing their link with passion and love goes back millennia. The Rose is a symbol of passion, love, affection and beauty.

     The Victorians added meaning to the colors of the rose. This can be represented by the stone chosen within the setting. Red is for passion, Yellow is for friendship and Purple is for enchantment. The thorns pointing down towards the earth symbolize protection against the earthly temptations, advocating fidelity.

     Two Mighty Oaks being firmly planted, grounded in their strength and majesty are gently embracing, and becoming united at the furthermost reaches of their branches where they merge and become one.

     The Oak is an ancient symbol of strength, longevity, and wisdom. The ancient Celts deified the Oak, and worshipped in its shade and groves. Oaks live for many generations and were held as a key to obtaining the favor of departed relatives, their wisdom and almost mythological strength.

     Whether worshipped as a god or simply as symbolic of our ancestors, the Oak and its propensity to live for many generations gives a timeless, deeply rooted and very grounded feeling. In this design the two oaks reach out for each other, merging together, and representing that of two ancestral trees coming together in celebration of new love.

     These bands are individually sculpted out of wax sheet which is hand formed and painstakingly detailed, then cast to bring forth the rippled look of water flowing in a stream. Others see a similarity to the bark of an Oak Tree.

     The stream flows carelessly and effortlessly following its course in a light and free manner. Obstacles are treated as opportunities for growth and advancement, and dealt with not by resistance but by flowing around, embracing the change they afford.    

     These bands are created so that they are wider and of a higher dome than my other rings, yet are hollowed out to a degree so that they aren't solid, the inside mimics the outer surface, with a rippled surface hidden beneath the surface. The overall effect is one of a rich and full-bodied band with an interesting textured surface.

     Where would we, humans, be without wheat!?! We domesticated this plant thousands of years ago and it has come to sustain and revive us time and time again. It is baked in our bread, brewed in our beer, and feeds our livestock! It is so integral to the human experience we have idolized its plant cycle in a variety of ways. It is the symbol of the seasons, the spring, summer and the fall. It represents the harvest cycle, the planting the sowing and the reaping pattern we all have in some way in all of our lives.

     When you see wheat in your dreams, it is said to bring success and money, and it also stands for the wonder of charity. This beautiful design represents the reaping of plans and ideas and even love. Celebrate the harvest, you deserve it!

     Porpoises may represent mankind's evolution towards a utopian peaceful coexistence with the earth and each other. Despite our being cursed with opposable thumbs (the source of much techno- mischief that has led to the soiling our ecological bed), we may eventually achieve the high state of joy exemplified by these happy go lucky, sexually uninhibited and playful creatures.

     An artist friend of Da’oud’s lived alone on a desert tropical isle for many years and came to a sort of mental melding with dolphins,. The relationship enriched his art and understanding of our link to these intelligent creatures. He said our interest in dolphins is a response to a psychic plea from their collective mind to pay attention to the damage done to their environment.

     Playful, intelligent, mischievous, and gregarious with not much to worry about except our meddling in their lives, these creatures may indeed be trying to communicate with us.

     These knots encompass two parts which symbolize the maintenance of individuality in a relationship. The mandala is the dance of two who help each other to grow by being there to reflect as a mirror, the cords left free symbolize that individuality is not lost but enhanced by this union.

    The image of a knot has been found in places as ancient as the Indus Valley Civilization. It represents the intertwining of wisdom and compassion, the ever-cycling birth, death, and rebirth, and the wisdom of the Buddha.

     Da’oud’s interpretation shows two pieces dancing together to create a whole. They never fully connect, but the ends are left free to demonstrate the freedom of the individuals in this engaging dance.

      The symbol of eternity is a fitting theme for any wedding band. The subtle helix of the dancing knot strands weave around the rings and the ends are left free to demonstrate the freedom of the individuals in this engaging dance. The Knot is dancing in that it is fluid, not constricting but organic, alive and in motion, in tune with the forces of life, adaptable to new circumstances.

     The thistle was the flower that saved Scotland. Legend says that in the 13th century a Norse king tried to invade Scotland. The arrived at night and tried to take the coastal town of Lagos by stealth, which required the troops to advance barefoot. Of course, the first soldier who put his bare foot down on this prickly plant, which grows all over the country, cried out. This woke all of the Scottish soldiers stationed in the village, leading to the Scottish winning victory over the invading Vikings.

    This design truly represents the national flower, the stems growing along the sides of the bands with the spines of the flowering bud creating the prongs to hold in the gemstone. Celebrate the tenacity of both the Scots and their thistle with this wonderful band. 

     The Art Deco movement in the early 20th century quickly replaced the Art Nouveau movement of the late Victorian era. The swirling lines and flowing motifs were replaced by inspiration from the mad-made world, with sharp edges and angular designs.

      Da’oud’s individual style still comes forth in his Art Deco inspired pieces. He found inspiration from vintage furniture and the old Movie Palaces from his native southern California.

      This period was also saw the rise of the use of Platinum, a metal with which Da’oud also casts his pieces. The beginning of minimalism can be seen in this design movement, reflected in some of Da’oud’s simpler designs. Erotic designs are also a source of inspiration with wonderful images from the Ballet Russe and Erte influencing his designs in this collection.

     The Lotus is a sacred flower among many cultures, ancient and modern. It lives in the water, and from the water it seems to be reborn. The Hindu Goddesses Lakshmi and Sarasvati are depicted riding them, a source of truly divine beauty! The layered petals are said to represent the expanding soul, and Buddhist have high regard for the plant as well.

     The Ancient Egyptians also revered this plant, though today we know the Egyptians actually revered the water lily, mistaking it for the same type of plants. But both flowers symbolize the beauty of birth, rebirth and how we all come from water.

     In a modern sense, the Lotus is a wonderfully unique plant in that it has thermoregulation, meaning it can create heat, might like us, warm-blooded mammals! A truly magical flower. 

     The cycle of water on our planet includes the path of the river. Water flows, swirling and melodiously, to the ocean. Water can teach us the great lesson of flowing with change. The river is a journey; it flows in the path of least resistance. Obstacles are gently moved around, dealt with in the least stressful manner. A relationship that embraces change is one that is empowered to change with all it encounters, thus having access to the deeper power of love that underlies what could be considered chaos.

     Water teaches us the way to deal with obstacles, having fun surfing this great power and not concerned with resistance to its flow. Yet the river's commitment to gravity is relentless. Rapids happen, they can be terrifying or fun, or perhaps both. The River doesn't care. Flow with it, baby.