Small Factory Ring - Material Studies

Precision, Materials and New Possibilities

Designed by Japanese contemporary artist Kaori Tazoe, Small Factory Ring is a modular jewellery system in which interchangeable ornamental Heads are screwed onto a Base Ring, allowing the wearer to continually reconfigure the ring's appearance.

Tazoe collaborates with specialised, small-scale precision metal-processing factories in Tokyo, originally producing tiny components for medical equipment. Each piece is produced in small batches by skilled craftspeople using precision machinery.

This presentation introduces new Heads made from Jade, mother-of-pearl, abalone shell, Moss Agate, and Lapis Lazuli in three distinct cuts, as well as white enamel. Each material contributes its own colour, texture, and character while expanding the possibilities for personal expression.

By combining industrial precision with natural materials, Material Studies explores how a single jewellery system can offer both a clear design concept and the freedom to create a ring that reflects the wearer's own style.