Disneyland debut for North ring

Two pieces of Northland will glint on the red carpet in Los Angeles this weekend at the world premiere of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.
Ngunguru jewellers Steve Gillespie and Mark Eston have created two of their customised rings - one a skull ring, the other featuring a snake pattern - which will be worn when the movie premieres at Disneyland.
Wearing skull rings is something Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones - who has a cameo in Pirates - is known for, but Steve is quick to point out the ring isn't for Richards.
"I wish! It would be awesome to make a ring for Keith Richards or Johnny Depp (Pirates star)."
Mark agrees, saying rock star Iggy Pop would be another they would love to make a ring for - "He even made an album called Skull Ring."
The two rings they have made are for a Disney executive, who ordered them through the men's website, www.jewelersinc.net
"e rang up about it, because he wanted something to wear on the red carpet at the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere," Mark said.
Mark and Steve both have backgrounds in commercial jewellery and worked at the Michael Hill workshop before being made redundant several years ago.
They started their company, Dead Ringers, more than two years ago and are solely internet-based.
Initially the pair began targeting the motorcycling "biker" scene in America, and while they had success there, pins on a map on the workshop wall show they have had orders from Japan to Sweden.
Mark says their sole focus on internet ordering has its challenges: "The customer has to have complete confidence in you, which is a big responsibility when someone on the other side of the world is asking you to create them a ring."
Their newly purchased digital camera lets the customer view the ring-making process.
One of their current projects is a version of their "Classic" skull ring, for a man in the Netherlands. "He's been very particular about wanting to see progress on it, so we've been emailing him photos almost every day."
The rings - made from sterling silver, 18ct gold and platinum - range in price from about $US400 to over $US1000. Each ring is crafted to size in wax, and moulded in Auckland. It is then individually finished by Steve, which takes around eight hours each.
Mark and Steve hope the Disney executive's finger points more work their way.
"I'm not really fussed about him wearing it on the red carpet, but I just hope he goes to the right after-party, flashes it around, and people ask him `Wow, where did you get that ring'?"