Meet the Independent Jeweller Behind the Viral Pint Claddagh Ring
Words: Hannah Lemass
London-based jewellery brand Stoned to Death has taken the internet by storm with its bold handcrafted treasures that blend Irish heritage and tradition with a modern edge and grit.
The designs, which include rings, pendants, and earrings, are born from the mind of the brand’s founder, Bev Armstrong. The pieces are like small wearable art that resonate deeply with those who share a love of Irish culture and individuality.
Stoned to Death’s unique Claddagh ring has caught the eye of many a jewellery and pint lover. We’re all familiar with the traditional Claddagh ring, and many of us wear them every day. In Bev’s version, the heart is replaced with a pint, and the creamy head represents the crown, all clasped between two cute little hands. Like a traditional Claddagh, the direction you wear it tells a truth about you. If the head of your pint is pointing away from you, you’re on the piss, and if it points towards you, you’re as sober as a judge.
“It’s fun, exciting, and utterly unserious. I think people just need a bit of a laugh, and it’s just a dumb but class idea, which I’m surprised no jeweller had done before.” – Bev Armstrong, Stoned To Death
The success of the pint Claddagh is no fluke. Bev has put in the work to hone their craft and get to this point. It began when their friend got them into jewellery making when they were going through a rough patch, and they never looked back. What started as a simple beading hobby sparked a fire that fuelled a full-blown passion.
“I fully hyper-fixated and essentially taught myself silversmithing from scratch. It started slow with a lot of trial and error (emphasis on error)!
Entirely self-taught, Bev dedicates between 3 and 10 hours to each piece using recycled solid sterling silver, which are hammered, torched, set on fire, bent, cut, shaped, and polished to perfection. The designs are a lovely balance of intricate and detailed craftsmanship with a raw, handmade aesthetic that feels personal and timeless.
“Because jewellery is expensive to make and takes a long time, people are surprised at the prices jewellers set. But in reality, you’re paying for a piece of art in materials that you can pass down generations. You might be able to get a cheap knockoff from a huge online retailer, but someone still made your piece—you’re just not paying them a living wage to do it.”
The popularity of these rings is no surprise. It comes at a time of broader cultural shift. Recently, there has been a huge surge in interest in Irish iconography, culture, and craftsmanship fuelled by a desire to reclaim and celebrate Irish identity through the things that we are proud of—our music, arts, language, and of course, the food and drink we cherish. Bev believes people are pushing back on the commodification of culture, with the surge in interest in all things Irish reflecting a collective effort to keep these legacies alive— a trend that seems to be a sign of a growing desire to reclaim and display our identity. It’s something Bev feels is a reflection of a bigger movement and a statement about societal values:
“I think people are trying to reclaim an artistic legacy of Ireland in an age of capitalism and privatisation that’s pricing the average person out of Ireland and driving artistic industries, music, and nightlife in Ireland to the brink of extinction. I think a lot of the interest in Irish art is sheer community willpower to not let this side of Ireland die just because the state hasn’t prioritised it.”
Stoned to Death’s designs and the work of other similar small and independent Irish designers, artists, and creatives strike a chord with this generation, proving that even small things like a ‘pint-sized pint’ on a Claddagh ring can make a big statement.
The rings are cast in sterling silver for €118.95 and 9ct gold for €473.95. They are sold out for now but Bev says there will be a restock in a few months so keep an eye out.