Penguins Receive Championship Rings
by Staff Writer / Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins players, coaches, hockey staff and executives received their 2009 Stanley Cup championship rings at a private ceremony Tuesday night.
Manufactured by Intergold, the rings were designed in consultation with Penguins owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle, general manager Ray Shero and head coach Dan Bylsma.
“The ring is a lasting symbol of the championship effort of our players, coaches, staff and organization,” the Penguins said in a statement. “We want to thank Intergold for an exceptional effort in helping us commemorate the team’s achievement.”
Each 14 karat white and yellow gold ring contains 167 diamonds, totaling approximately 4.50 carats of diamonds and averaging approximately 100 grams of gold. The top of the ring is crowned with a custom-cut black onyx imbedded with a 1.3 carat pear-shaped diamond to create the Penguins logo. The logo is placed on an image of the Stanley Cup, which is sitting on a bed of round diamonds replicating the arena and ice surface.
The ring is further adorned with 12 princess-cut diamonds on each side of the shanks. The title “Stanley Cup Champions” is written along the ring’s left and right outer rim/bezel. The left side of the ring features the player’s name and number as well as a list of the team four playoff series victories. The right side of the ring has the year 2009 split with three Stanley Cups, adorned in diamonds. The two outer Stanley Cups are inscribed on top with 91 and 92, paying homage to the Penguins’ two previous championships.
“Intergold is proud to have crafted the Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup championship rings,” said Miran Armutlu, president and CEO of Intergold. “This ring was one of the most complex rings we have produced to date, requiring 23 separate dies to achieve our end result. It is truly symbolic of one of sport’s ultimate achievements.”