The Ring of Protection

The Ring of Protection, also known as the Valoring, is the twelfth ring of the first cycle of the series This Too Shall Break. This ring marks both a beginning and an ending, conceived at the start of the series and realized only after the knowledge gained from completing the eleven rings before it. It is devoted to protection as an act of care, renewal, and continuity, honoring the role of steadfast presence during moments of transition. The ring exists as a reminder that protection is not only about defense, but about offering grounding, acceptance, and a place of return shaped by shared history and trust.

The ring is carved from a found piece of black marble and formed with a multisided structure that presents varying degrees of polished surface. This faceted quality allows the ring to meet different conditions, both smooth and rough, through its form. Carved into the ring is the Elhaz rune, also known as Algiz, a symbol associated with protection, resilience, and spiritual growth. The rune’s presence reinforces the ring’s role as a guide and stabilizing force shaped through experience and refinement.

This Too Shall Break is a series of thirteen cycles of thirteen stone rings. The project brings our idea of stone sculpture as large immutable things only to be shared in museums and public spaces down to earth. Each ring is small, delicate, and personal. It is a piece of wearable art which requires mindfulness for the wearer, changing the relationship between collector and art. These rings are not meant to be owned, but to be experienced, to grow with, and to take care of.