Hero Talisman: My Bespoke Superwoman Ring by Sabine Roemer and Minehaus

In the summer of 2024, I met with German-born artist jeweller Sabine Roemer to discuss an exciting collaboration centred on her powerful and uplifting Superwoman series of bespoke rings. These one-of-a-kind pieces demand two purposeful gemstones, chosen for their relationship to the client, their goals, ambitions and inner values. Sabine has known me for many years; she has witnessed me grow and develop as a writer and a key opinion leader (KOL), so she felt that I deserve my own ring – an exquisite reminder of who I am. 

To give you a little background, the Superwoman collection is rooted in the strength and resilience of women and how we can have so many dualities: wife and mother, professional and personal, friend and colleague. The offering started with seven rings, each anchored by a pair of gemstones, such as pink morganite and electric blue zircon or white sapphire and Burmese spinel. Sabine crafts the setting for each ring personally, making her that rare combination of designer and bench jeweller that I so admire. Her designs also eschew traditional gemstone cuts in favour of fancy shapes, including hearts, shields, trapezoids, and kites, which add to the sense of uniqueness. 

When you see the designs, it appears that the process of matching the two gemstones together comes with no effort at all. However, last February, I witnessed the reality when I saw Sabine spend several days at Inhorgenta going to a variety of gem dealers. She was handpicking stone after stone and then trying to match her findings from different dealers in a perfect pair. I didn’t want to put her through that pain and suggested we go to a gem cutting company that specialises in fancy cut gemstones – Jaipur-based Minehaus – who could cut exactly what we need.

Now back to the hotel terrace in London! We were discussing ring concepts and spoke about the journey I had been on. At the time, I was focusing on relaunching KaterinaPerez.com, and perhaps I was in need of extra motivation. We also spoke about some of our shared values as businesswomen, including a fixation on high-quality, never lowering our standards, and striving to do the best we can, no matter the strains posed by being a working mother. She saw this Superwoman ring as a route towards empowering this next phase of the KaterinaPerez.com journey and, so, a plan was set in motion to create something truly special. 

When you have jewellery made especially for you, it is no longer just an adornment. It gets elevated to the next level and becomes a kind of talisman that can enhance your mood and remind you of the important things in life. – Katerina Perez

We started by discussing gemstones, specifically a combination of coloured gems with the right meanings and compatible energies, followed by what shape they should be cut into. Sabine sees minerals as storytellers, each with their own symbolism, energy and character. She explains: “I carefully choose gemstones that resonate with a person’s individuality. For example, if you’re someone who exudes calm strength, we might explore serene aquamarines or grounding garnets. If vibrancy and joy define you, citrines or rubies could be perfect companions. Sometimes, it’s about finding a stone that reflects a meaningful connection, like a sapphire for loyalty or an opal for creativity and transformation.”

We both felt it was crucial to bring in a specialist gem-cutting business that could not only source the correct minerals but cut them into perfectly proportioned sizes to suit Sabine’s Superwoman setting. Minehauss felt like the perfect company, this family-owned business really celebrates the artistry of gemstone cutting, with a leaning towards fancy-shapes, and has a particular passion and expertise for ruby beads. Minehaus director Harsh Chhabra agreed to participate in the project and produce two exceptional five-sided gemstones (one a kite shape and the other a squat pentagon) that fit her 18k rose gold setting. 

Harsh says: “We regularly collaborate with designers worldwide to create bespoke special cuts. However, we face numerous challenges, starting with sourcing the right rough material in the desired shape for the custom design. In this instance, both stones (about 3 carats each) were mined in India and cut by our specialist cutters in the Minehaus workshop”.

So, I know what you’re thinking. What gemstones did you choose? I told Sabine that I wanted a piece that would remind me to follow my heart, seek out the good, and feel empowered. I also wanted something chunky and statement, which meant we had to consider value and accessibility. Keping it all in mind, Sabine proposer a special combination for me. The first stone is a beautiful heliodor – a member of the beryl family of gemstones – with a deep yellow hue that screams happiness and sunny days. In fact, the name heliodor derives from the Greek words ‘helios’ and ‘doron’, meaning ‘gifts from the sun’ and it has long been associated with the eternal power of our star. For the second and more elongated, kite-shaped gem, we opted for a rhodolite garnet, sometimes referred to as ‘Rose Stone’, with all the fire and brilliance you’d expect from this type of pyrope. Rhodolite is also known as the ‘Stone of Inspiration’, and it’s connected to love and affairs of the heart. Together, heliodor and rhodolite are the perfect pairing. 

When it comes to fashioning fancy cut gemstones, there are many possibilities in terms of shapes. However, we need to consider the best cut that allows for the light to enter the stone and bounce off its facets as if illuminating the gem from within. This is what will allow for the colour to really come out. We also ensure that the gems we produce have excellent symmetry and precise proportions, shares Harsh about the cutting process.

When Sabine presented me with the final sketch of the design, she paired it with the mantra “Follow your heart and the sun shines”. Her accompanying handwritten note said: “In the intricate tapestry of life, a woman’s strength shines through like the radiant hues of rhodolite and the golden glow of heliodor. Rhodolite, with its rich purples and reds, symbolises passion and determination, reflecting the fire within her soul. Heliodor, with its sunny warmth, embodies courage and clarity, illuminating her path even in the darkest of times. Together, these gemstones encapsulate the innate intuition that guides her, helping her navigate through challenges with grace and resilience.”

Creating a bespoke ring is an intimate and rewarding process that starts with understanding the wearer on a deeply personal level. By the end, the ring isn’t just jewellery—it’s a wearable expression of who you are and the emotions you hold dear or want to embody at the time. – Sabine Roemer

This was a very personal project and served as yet another reminder of the power of bespoke jewellery. It can serve as a guide – a reminder in difficult times – of all the qualities that we hope to find in ourselves and see reflected in the outside world. In this case, light, sunshine, warmth, inspiration, courage and ideas. Historically, jewels were more than adornments, they were talismans of great powers and forces beyond our control. This is my small way of returning to that time and place, when jewels were about so much more than decoration. 

Whenever I wear this Superwoman ring, crafted with such care by Sabine Roemer and Minehaus, I will think about the mantra of following my heart and know, deep down, that “I am in the right direction”. The fact that it also looks beautiful is the icing on the cake. 

For commissioning your own ring, you can contact Sabine directly, I am sure she will be happy to turn your story into wearable art.