We give you the details on a ring that tells you what you need to know plus a new polishing system.
WHO, WHAT, WEARABLE
Ringly
Of all the wearables we’ve test-driven here at JCK over the last year, Ringly—a notification device embedded in a classic cocktail ring that buzzes or blinks to show when calls, texts, and emails come in—feels the least tech-y, and the most effortless. That’s because it looks and wears exactly like a cocktail ring, as opposed to a device.
What we liked: It’s real jewelry—not a plastic or rubber facsimile. At press time, there were five models available: a rhodium-plated ring with a tourmilated quartz stone, and four 18k matte gold–plated models with a center stone in moonstone, pink sapphire (pictured here), emerald, or black onyx.
What we didn’t like: The lack of a Ringly with a glossy gold patina, which would be truly irresistible.
Best features: The connecting app is well designed and easy to use. You can choose which calls/texts/emails get through, change the color of the notification light, and control the intensity of its vibration with a few swipes and taps. ($195–$260 at ringly.com)
SUPPLY IN DEMAND
Dura-Bull Direct Flow Polishing System
The Dura-Bull system from Rio Grande
You know that mash-up of metal debris sitting at the bottom of your current polishing machine? Over time, those little piles of mixed metal dust add up, and represent lost revenue. The new Dura-Bull Direct Flow Polishing System easily traps every iota of metal flinging off your polisher with a fully enclosed two-filter system that collects particles at the top of the machine, before they drift down into a larger pleated collection filter. Changing the motor’s filters takes around 30 seconds. And this bad boy is whisper-quiet; its ½ horsepower, 5/8-inch, straight-shaft, double-spindle polishing motor comes with a built-in silencer. ($1,995 at riogrande.com)
APP CHAT
LocatR
(photo: Krystian Nawrocki/iStock)
LocatR, a brand new app with an accompanying tracking device, is the system to rely on when you land in Antwerp but your luggage is on a jet plane to Hong Kong. The system tracks items with live mapping via GPS and cellular technology, allowing users to locate any item outfitted with the LocatR device anywhere in the world. The design of the tracker—which will feature a rechargeable battery and a sleep/wake mode to preserve battery life—was, at press time, not finalized. But the system is potentially perfect for jewelers who travel frequently with valuable merchandise. (For iOS only; $5 for one month of service; packages range up to $215 at locatrapp.com)