(PRESS RELEASE) LEOMINSTER, MA – Chris Ploof, modern metals designer and founder of Chris Ploof Designs, announces his launch of the first made-in-USA carbon fiber and precious metal bridal bands that are fully sizable. The capsule collection of nine designs feature carbon fiber with 18K yellow or white gold, 14K rose gold, or palladium, and the rings are priced at retail from $2,100 and up. Ploof has plans to expand the assortment into other jewelry categories such as bracelets, earrings, pendants in 2024. The carbon fiber offers a unique look in a lightweight, durable style for jewelry lovers or bridal couples who are looking for distinctive new rings that can be sized.
“For me, the biggest benefit of carbon fiber is its cool color – a dark black hue with a lustrous sheen,” said Ploof. “What we are doing with it is really special. We are combining the heft, value, and beauty of precious metals like gold with the same excellent quality of luxury modern materials which our customers expect, while making sure to keep the rings sizable for life-long wear.”
Carbon fiber is a contemporary material composed mostly of carbon atoms that is used in aircraft and spacecraft parts, racing cars, and sporting equipment such as golf clubs and sailboat masts. Its high strength-to-weight ratio makes it attractive for long-term jewelry wear, given its durability. However, there are not many jewelers currently using the material. Most carbon fiber rings on the market today cannot be sized, or if they can, the size changes are extremely limited. Chris Ploof is designing and producing his carbon fiber wedding bands for size adjustments using the same components of precious metal and carbon fiber that the customer wore on their wedding day, with no need to start over and recreate the ring. This not only offers long-term cost savings, it also diminishes the environmental waste because carbon fiber is not easily recycled or biodegradable.
“Given our commitment to sustainability at our solar-powered studio, it was important for us to be able to recycle the carbon fiber back into the rings in the event of sizing,” says Ploof. “It just makes for a more sustainable choice, both in terms of long-term wear and environmental impact.”
To view the initial designs on the Chris Ploof website, click here. For more information on Chris Ploof and his modern metal designs, visit chrisploof.com or watch this video.
About Chris Ploof Designs
Chris Ploof Designs was founded by artist Chris Ploof in 2005. Born in Massachusetts, Chris is an award-winning master jeweler who understands and appreciates the slow, methodical process of creating beautiful jewelry. A twice winner of the prestigious Industry Leader Award, Chris loves the challenge of making customers’ visions come to life. You can learn more about Chris and his work at chrisploof.com.