PLEASE NOTE: This presale collection will close on October 29th and products will ship by the 16th of December if not sooner to arrive before Christmas . If you need to cancel an order you can do so before the 29th of October. After that date all sales are FINAL and we cannot accept order cancellations or returns. By placing an order in this collection you agree to these terms.

Take advantage of 30% off and claim your unique Christmas gifts from our collection of products that have not been restocked in 2+ years! Every item is proudly handmade in the USA from our small casting team in Seattle. 

ALL SALES FINAL. Please size accurately before ordering. Read Details tab for sizing help.

Hand-casted in the USA, this solid .925 sterling silver signet-style ring features an hourglass, with a skull in the top bell of the hourglass dissolving into sand in the bottom bell of the hourglass. The letters MM and MV are on the sides of the ring, representing the dual mentality of MEMENTO MORI and MEMENTO VIVERE.

The hourglass and skull imagery has been around since the medieval period with roots in classical antiquity and Christianity. These symbols are often paired with the Latin phrase MEMENTO MORI, which means "remember that you will die." In older pieces of art, a skull and an hourglass were pictured as individual items in a still-life painting, juxtaposed to convey the inevitability of death and the fleetingness of time in a very concrete manner. This was not meant as a morbid message then, nor is it now. Instead, it is a positive reminder to recognize the opportunity in every day we wake up and keep breathing. Will you let the sands of time drain away, or will you make the most of every second you have with appreciation and intention?

MEMENTO VIVERE means “Remember to live.” This phrase originated in the mid 19th century, supposedly created from classical Latin as a direct counterpart to MEMENTO MORI as a reminder of life and the pleasure of living. While MEMENTO VIVERE is less common than its mirror phrase, we believe that both phrases can impart a positive outlook. It's easy to allow the tides of life to carry us along into passivity or to succumb to an unhealthy preoccupation with mortality. We have to fight this tendency and remember that we have lives left to live, and to live them to the fullest. For anyone struggling with a dark period or mental health issues, this phrase can help you see the beauty and light around you - the things worth living for. Make the most of every day with this ring as a reminder to take some risks, take some rest, and appreciate every piece of joy that life has to offer.

We appreciate the dual nature of this juxtaposition of ideals, and enjoy the contrast that the images of life and death create. Let this ring be your talisman for action, resilience in the face of obstacles, and a constant beacon guiding you towards a life of meaning.

Pair with any of our Memento Mori necklaces to create a special set!