Max Grün: Artist. Goldsmith. A true Viennese original.

To understand Max Grün the goldsmith and artist, one must view him from different perspectives, like a well-cut diamond, and let the impression sink in. Each perspective is unique and makes the stone shine; the same is true for Max Grün. He is a jack-of-all-trades and a Viennese traditionalist at heart. He is a punk with a penchant for techno and Viennese tavern culture. All this and much more is reflected in his jewelry – all of which share one thing: uniqueness, crafted with the almost fanatical perfectionism of a philanthropist.

  • Spider monkey ring in rose gold with champagne-coloured diamonds by RINGKING Max Grün
  • Yellow gold duck ring, angled front view, by RINGKING Max Grün

  • The love for the old, for monkeys, and for consistency – How it all began

  • Max loves the old and enjoys breathing new life into it. He loves vintage and enjoyed strolling through flea markets even as a child. His second passion was, and still is, the film "Planet of the Apes." "When the apes enter the cave and discover the Statue of Liberty after 2,000 years and nuclear war and whatever else. I always thought to myself: I want to create something that might still be here in 2,000 years. Just like a Roman excavation." The idea that Max is forging something that will be passed down for generations drives and fascinates him.

  • It must be said that these beings, who in 2,000 years will roam Vienna's Kleeblattgasse 9, where his studio and showroom are now located, will find, among other things, gold sausage and Leberkäs charms, or unearth a monkey or duck ring made of precious metal… Max likes everything except the mainstream. He has always loathed it. And what he prominently displayed in his younger years with the help of a green-dyed Mohawk – green, because of his surname, of course – is now reflected in his sometimes eccentric pieces of jewelry.

From fashion design to the goldsmith's workshop

During his teenage punk days, Max initially toyed with the idea of becoming a fashion designer – something truly creative. But his father intervened: he had arranged an internship for his rebellious offspring with a goldsmith friend. Today, you would say: It was a perfect match.

The apprenticeship contract was signed, and fashion design was a thing of the past.

“I was incredibly glad that I didn't go into fashion. I love fashion and I think like fashion. But the materials are simply not as robust as precious metal.”

And that is exactly what he appreciates about his craft: "I think my materials are so great because I can recycle them infinitely. If you don't like something anymore, I can mash it up and make something new out of it. Isn't that great?"

In the beginning were the apes

Ahem, that's only half true, because many of his customers actually come to Max with their own ideas right from the start. "I get some very special people coming to me. People who want to try something new or who have some kind of ideas. That always results in really great collaborations." The meatloaf roll pendant is one such customer idea. And apart from the meatloaf, you're always very close to sausages in Vienna.

Sausage stands are part of Viennese tradition. So, for example, there is also the "Bosna," the cheese kransky, and the knackwurst as pendants. Max has also thought of the vegetable fetishists and designed garlic, artichoke, broccoli, and onion pendants. His latest masterstroke: a French fry fork made of precious metal. Just the sort of thing that comes out of a lively customer conversation. Such interactions are now part of his creative work, and he just likes all the people. And what Max definitely wants to have mentioned are his signet rings. We'll tell you about everyone he spoke to about those in another story. But we can already reveal this much: depending on your taste, the signet rings show your outlook on life (smiley face), family tradition (coat of arms), company affiliation (logo), or love for deceased people through their initials. We could actually fill several more pages here, but it's time for lunch at Gutruf. Well then, kisses and bye for now.

  • Rose gold gyoza pendant, lying flat, by RINGKING Max Grün
  • Handmade silver Frankfurter sausage pendant, side view, by RINGKING Max Grün
  • Silver and bronze Leberkäse roll pendant, lying flat, by RINGKING Max Grün

  • The Foodies are born

    After his apprenticeship as a goldsmith, Max spent his first few years working in an art studio in Vienna, sculpting with wax. Wax was the focus of all his joy and attention. During this creative phase, his first collection was born, consisting of monkeys. Alongside the “Planet of the Apes” films, Grün loved the stories of Wilhelm Busch as a child. Max was particularly fond of the humorous picture story of Fipps the monkey. “Monkeys are so similar to humans. The way they cling to something, like a baby—I think that’s just great.” In addition to the monkeys for your finger, there are also ducks, owls, raccoons, pufferfish, turtles, and whatever else customers imagine and would like to wear on their fingers.

    He didn't want to sell

    Speaking of customers: He didn't actually want to sell, just sculpt and forge. His wife insisted on the shop space, a wise decision, because if you ask him now, he’s no longer quite sure himself what he prefers: the art or the customers. Max is a philanthropist. And a self-proclaimed connoisseur of comfortable living. He likes everyone at first, doesn't judge, doesn't classify.

  • Philosophizing to techno beats

    Anyone who comes to Kleeblattgasse 9 and is interested in handmade jewelry – quite a few of which are forged as unique pieces – is warmly welcome. In general, it is mostly men who come to see him. They start by talking about the next piece of jewelry for their wife or girlfriend, and then they philosophize. During the first few years at Kleeblattgasse 9, it was not uncommon for people to toast with a glass of red wine from the late afternoon onwards – to techno beats from a 1990s recorder.

    You will look in vain for a PC, there is no internet either; he doesn't need it, he accepts his mobile phone, but nothing more. What is, however, an integral part of his daily routine is the lunch break with a meal at the traditional inn "Gutruf". Anyone can show up there, even a fiancé in a frantic search for a special ring for his bride-to-be...

    Something for every budget

    The thing with the wedding rings just happened, like so much in Max's life, as in: "You make such cool rings, can you make us wedding rings? So I started making engagement and wedding rings. My wife then had the idea for the 'charm bracelets'. I really like that because it means people with a smaller budget can also buy a bracelet and then gift something for it over the years. That’s great for men, they never know what to give anyway."

Max Grün | RINGKING goldsmith in Vienna

I am a goldsmith and artist – I create pieces of jewelry that inspire, spark conversation, and leave people walking out of my studio with a smile. - Max Grün

Custom-made products

  • Sapphire monogram signet ring | RINGKING Max Grün, goldsmith in Vienna

    Signet ring

  • Hand-engraved silver skull pendant, front view, by RINGKING Max Grün

    Skull

  • One-of-a-kind onyx signet ring, upright view, by RINGKING Max Grün

    Smiley Rainbow
To the unique items
Max Grün | RINGKING goldsmith in Vienna

What makes custom-made, unique jewelry so special?

Away from mass production, jewelry that combines personality and craftsmanship is created in Vienna. Every ring, every piece of jewelry is a handmade original – a symbol of your story.

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