Jewelry designer Anthony Kantor says working with the iconic candy Ring Pop was like fulfilling a childhood fantasy. And now he’s eager to get his sweet jewelry out to the public.
The House of Kantor founder plans to kick off a new website and marketing campaign this fall for the Gem RingPop, to get it in front of people who recognize and love the kid-favorite candy. He is already accepting orders for the ring.
His long-term goal is to develop a series of candy-themed jewelry designs through his partnership with Bazooka, the candy company that owns the licensing for the Ring Pop and other well-known treats.
“I’m throwing everything at this right now. It’s the ultimate eye candy,” says Kantor, a third-generation jeweler and founder of another jewelry brand, Stone & Seed, which sells vintage and antique jewelry.
“Working with Bazooka has been a dream,” he says. “They’ve been so generous with the idea. Mostly they’ve said, ‘Go for it,’ but we’ve gone slow with the marketing to make sure we honor the Ring Pop legacy and brand.”
Candy-shaped jewelry is a staple within the industry, and many designers have played around with a ring like this, Kantor acknowledges. His version is protected by the Bazooka license, so others cannot use the Ring Pop name or market their products the same way House of Kantor can.
The Gem RingPop is available in two sizes: The larger one, on a 1:1 scale with the actual candy, is perfect for making a sweet statement; the half size is more for everyday wear, Kantor says. Pricing is by request, as the rings are made to order.
The larger versions of the ring feature such gemstones as rose quartz, amethyst, and citrine, in an average size of 120 carats. The smaller styles have around 28 carats and also come in specialty colors, such as a minty green prasiolite. Citrine is the collection’s showstopper, with its warm yellow color complemented by a diamond-and-gold base.
“When I wear jewelry, I like it to be bold. That is why I’m marketing the larger size as art,” Kantor says. “I’ve traveled the world to find these stones and have them cut precisely, including Germany, Brazil, and Thailand.”
Kantor brought the Gem RingPop to the JCK Las Vegas trade show the past two years, and he says people loved the idea—which showed him that the design has commercial viability. It also has been a social media sensation: A 10-second TikTok video about one of the first Gem RingPops posted online—made with a 122 ct. amethyst—got more than 4.2 million views and nearly a million likes.
“That’s when I knew I had something special here,” Kantor says. “We’re doing a major launch for the Gem RingPop, but stay tuned. We’re going to have something even more recognizable coming next.”
(Photos courtesy of House of Kantor)
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