Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — Two recently married BYU students and their brother-in-law are on their way to stopping the monotony of similar-looking rings with their new business that has raised thousands on Kickstarter.
Matt Alexander first got the idea for Glowing Rings when he couldn't seem to find a wedding ring he really liked, and instead saw a sea of similar rings at his disposal, his stepbrother, Alex Speiser said.
Speiser hopped on board with the idea for glow-in-the-dark rings, and the two began hand-making and selling them on sites like Etsy and Facebook garage sale pages.
"We live in our modern age, but ring styles have basically been the same for a long time now," Speiser said.
The two brothers first buy rings from Amazon, then make a phosphorescent resin mixture by hand, put the color in it and put it in the engraving, which makes the ring glow in the dark.
Alexander, Speiser, and their brother-in-law, Michael Kannely, recently launched the Kickstarter for Glowing Rings, and surpassed their initial fundraising goal, $10,000, in less than two days.
As of Tuesday morning, more than 240 people have pledged more than $13,000 for the rings.
"I think they're so interested in them because everyone has a creative side and a side to them that wants to feel like they have something that's their very own that's personal to them," Speiser said.
With 25 days left of the campaign, Speiser now believes they can raise at least $20,000 for the rings and hopes to reach far above that.
On Kickstarter, the rings cost $25 (chrome titanium), $35 (black titanium) and $45 (white ceramic). Once they are sold in retailers — some have already agreed to sell them — they will cost $70, $80 and $100 respectively.
"...I think it makes it feel so much more modern and fulfills that need that people have to kind of express themselves and express this want to feel like they enjoy the jewelry," Speiser said of the unique rings.
Currently, the rings come in five different colors and one design. If they raise $20,000, Speiser said, they will offer another design.
I think they're so interested in them because everyone has a creative side and a side to them that wants to feel like they have something that's their very own that's personal to them.
–Alex Speiser, co-founder of Glowing Rings
The rings come in male and female sizes and are not only used as wedding rings, Speiser said.
Alexander and Kannely have each previously headed Kickstarter campaigns, the IllumiBowl Clip-On Toilet Night Light, which raised more than $95,000, and the Shower Case Smartphone Holder, which raised more than $17,000.
Speiser said because the two have experience in successfully funding Kickstarters, people trust them.
"...they see that we have good ideas and we are really looking to provide quality products that everyone loves," Speiser said.
Visit the Glowing Rings Kickstarter page for more information regarding early bird specials, sizing and risks and challenges.
