Claudio Pino

Tactus 925 Silver, copper, brass, moonstones, pink tourmaline.

3.4 x 1.26 x 1.62 inches

I always have been fascinated by design and architecture; colors and shapes. At night, in my childhood, I have the memory of standing for hours looking at my father who was making wooden ship models. He was curving the wood patiently, piece by piece. Each miniscule part was meticulously painted by hand with so many details. I remember my amazement as I watched each ship slowly take form over months of painstaking work. When I told my father I wanted to study art, he said to do anything I wanted, as long as I did my best and with passion.

Since that day, I have wanted to transform raw materials into precious objects. Like day and night, sun and moon, Yin and Yang, hot and cold colors complement one another. I am always searching for balance and equilibrium in my jewelry designs.

When I make jewelry, I am constantly confronted with new challenges. In the beginning of my career, I was experimenting with many different techniques, such as construction with wires only, wax and casting, as well as piece by piece construction.

Now, as I create my rings, I try to focus on the emotion that the design invokes, rather than the technique. While the sculptural aspect of my jewelry is important, I never forget during the creative process that someone will eventually be wearing the ring. A ring must first be very comfortable and belong to the hand.

My rings come alive only when they find their owners.

The Kinetic Ring - MYSTICAL FLOWERING Always inspired by the importance of each element of our surrounding and their interaction between each other, Mystical Flowering was designed to represents the rare Night-Blooming Cereus. A magical plant that once a year, it revives as it from trance, for only the duration of the evening.

Attracted by its sublime aroma, the Sphinx moths pollinate them, giving them life. The two fingers ring portrays the shape of that butterfly and this unique flower that communicate the continuous cycle of life.

Mystical Flowering 14k gold, opal, diamonds, moonstone, ruby, pearls, sleeping beauty turquoise.

1.96 x 1.83 x 0.88 inches

The Kinetic Ring – MAGNIFICENCE STELLAIRE The concept behind this kinetic ring, named Magnificence Stellaire, was inspired by the immensity of the starry sky in the farthest reaches of the northern hemisphere, a sky that unifies us.

The central stone, a black opal, portrays the aurora borealis with colorful and turbulent wisps of air in the vibrant darkness of the night. The stone rotates 360 degrees in four directions (South, North, West, East), thanks to a carefully designed and complex mechanism.

This system consists of various elements, including eight white freshwater pearls, which symbolize the lunar phases. On the sides of the ring, several golden drops shimmer tracing the magnificence of the Milky Way. It also features moonstones that epitomize the black holes of our universe.

It represents not only the magnitude of the sky but also the importance of each different element in our system. A vast sky that unites us all despite the great distances that separate us.

SELECTED DESIGN: The Canadian Crafts Federation organized and executed the Canadian programming at the Canada Guest Pavilion during the Cheongju International Craft Biennale 2009 in South Korea and for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games exhibition at the MOV, Museum of Vancouver.

It was a great honor to have the ring selected for two such important events and to represent Canada internationally.

Magnificence Stellaire 14k gold, 925 silver, black opal, chrome diopsides, emerald, moonstones, pearls.

1.85 x 1.75 x 1 inches KINETIC RINGS COOLLECTION

The Kinetic Ring - INFINITY Infinity is a kinetic ring that represents the unique sensation of weightlessness. A moonstone attached to the center of a mechanism, portrays a drop of water floating freely in space. Even though the stone is fixed in the middle, it is able to pivot 360 degrees in all 6 possible directions, which is represented by each movable ring.

Awarded with the Steel Trophy “Best in the Show�

Infinity 14k gold, 925 silver, moonstone, diamonds, ruby.

1.75 x 1.5 x 1 inches KINETIC RINGS COLLECTION

Black Velvet - 2 14k gold, 925 silver, onyx.

1.46 x 0.8 x 1.45 inches VENA AMORIS COLLECTION

What makes a ring powerful?

Is it the interplay of shifting light, the shadow and depth created through the unique combination of metallic, matched colors or is it the vintage surface that recall memories and projects this unmistakable power?

I always have been inspired by the ancient art of jewelry, and more specially, the history of rings.

Moonlight 925 Silver, 14k gold, yellow sapphire, onyx.

1.45 x 0.86 x 0.49 inches CLASSICAL BEAUTY COLLECTION

In 2008, I received a Research and Creation grant from the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du QuĂŠbec to study the origin of the ring for men within the First Nations in North America and to create a collection that melds traditional craftsmanship in jewelry to the technique and aesthetic of modern time. This research allowed me to deepen my artistic process, to broaden the market for jewelry for men, to study the traditional techniques with the Naskapi, Innu-Montagnais in Quebec, as well as with the Navajos in Arizona.

Interactive Ring 14k gold, 925 silver, mirror, carnelians, pearls.

1.76 x 0.95 x 0.66 inches KINETIC RINGS COLLECTION

Cereus 14k gold, opal, tanzanite, blue diamonds, pearls.

1.86 x 1.35 x 0.95 inches KINETIC RINGS COLLECTION

ÉlÊgence 925 Silver, amethyst.

0.99 x 0.65 x 0.3 inches CLASSICAL BEAUTY COLLECTION

In 2009, I received another Research and Creation Grant from the CALQ to deepen my knowledge about the history of engagement rings and to create a new collection using stones from Quebec. I visited the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the National Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria, which contains the largest collection of Egyptian jewelry in the world, as well as one of the first engagement rings, belonging to Queen Aah-Hotep, mother of Ahmose.

Vena Amoris 14k gold, 925 silver, amethysts, fire opal, pearls.

1.5 x 0.875 x 0.5 inches VENA AMORIS COLLECTION

Seeing the pharaohs’ jewelry and meeting with specialists allowed me to better understand the ancestral techniques and family customs while learning more about the symbolic importance and origin of the engagement ring. I then focused on the conceptualization and creation, searching for shapes and colors, innovation and integrity of expression, merging with the rhythm and poetry of modern times with a touch inspiration from the engagement ring’s history and its millennium origins.

Golden Mirage 14k gold, emerald, sleeping beauty turquoise.

0.75 x 1.25 x 0.54 inches VENA AMORIS COLLECTION

Classical Beauty (Topaze) 18k gold, 925 silver, topaze.

1.75 x 0.75 x 1 inches CLASSICAL BEAUTY COLLECTION

Eternal Ring 950 Platinum, diamonds 1.07 x 0.85 x 0.25 inches CLASSICAL BEAUTY COLLECTION

My artistic interests have been drawn to the personal relationship people have with the jewelry they wear. Sometimes, I had meticulous mechanisms that gave the stone-set the freedom to follow the owner’s movements, reflecting them in many small, intricate ways.

Each of my design represents a different thematic system, a mirror to multiple metaphors. Whether exploring systems in motion, metamorphosis of insects, or the pace of urban life, my passion awakens first in the transformation of the raw material.

Glorious 18k gold, 925 silver, amethyst.

0.5 x 0.85 x 1.25 inches CLASSICAL BEAUTY COLLECTION

Black Velvet - 1 925 silver, onyx.

1.46 x 0.9 x 0.33 inches VENA AMORIS COLLECTION

From conception to completion, each ring is handmade piece by piece, evoking new challenges and a continuous search for innovation and elegance while bridging to the aesthetics and the history of current times.

Since 1999, I have been devoted to creating exclusive jewelry designs, seeking to convey various emotions and themes while at the same time making them really comfortable for the wearer.

Innovation novation & Craftsmanship in Me Metal Exhibition & Trunk Show

I never forget during the creative process that someone will eventually be wearing the ring. A ring must first be very comfortable and belong to the hand.

Opening May 3, 2012 Aaron Faber Gallery 666 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10103 http://jewelryofquebec.lmrpr.com email: jewelryquebec@lmrpr.com

My rings come alive only when they find their owners.