Portrait Projecting Wedding Ring Draws on Lost 19th Century Gadgets

Few people would take off a ring and place it next to a light, even fewer brides would remove their wedding ring so you could look not at the big stone on top of it but rather through it - to see a surprising image. But that is the kind of ring a British artist made, creating what most brides want - a conversation piece.

Inspired by 19th century Standhopes, Luke Jerram's Portrait Projecting Ring was a one off bridal ring he created for his wife. The bottom part of the ring has room for a few small slides. When light from a candle or LED passes through the ring, the portraits of the couple that appear on the slide are projected, using the center stone as a lens.

"The ring was my first prototype and was made by hacking apart disposal cameras to find the right lens I needed,” he said.

The bridal ring was preceded by a unique engagement ring, this time taking his inspiration from Thomas Edison.

The Talking Ring has a 20 second recording of his marriage proposal etched onto the ring's surface and can be played back with a miniature record player. Etched with a vibrating diamond stylus, the ring is also a homage to Thomas Edison who made the first sound recording machine, the phonograph, in 1877.