Majors

5 Fun Facts about the Penguins’ Stanley Cup Rings

MajorsOct 14, 2016

5 Fun Facts about the Penguins’ Stanley Cup Rings

Fans of the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals and New York Rangers can skip this story.

20161014_Penguins-ring-main.jpg
Crafted in 14-karat gold and set with yellow and white diamonds, the Stanley Cup rings given to the Pittsburgh Penguins have each players’ name and number on one shank. On the other are four diamond-set Stanley cups, representing the team’s four NHL championships.
Pittsburgh—Members of one of Pittsburgh’s three beloved black-and-gold teams received their championship rings at a private ceremony held earlier this week in the Steel City.

Players, coaches and staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins gathered at the city’s Heinz History Center Tuesday to collect the diamond and gold rings made for them by Jostens, the Minneapolis-based company best known for making class and championship rings.

The Penguins won the NHL championship back in June, when they defeated the San Jose Sharks 3 to 1 in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Final.

Now, they have a ring to go with what is the club’s fourth Cup.

Jostens’ Chris Poitras, who talked with National Jeweler about the Denver Broncos Super Bowl rings earlier this year, divulged a few fun facts about the rings his company just made for the ‘Guins.

1. Yellow gold was used, again. The mixed-metals trend apparently has found its way into the wide world of sports.

Poitras, who is the vice president of Jostens’ sports and college division, said after years of making championship rings almost exclusively in white gold, Jostens is starting to see a shift toward the incorporation of yellow.

On the Penguins’ rings, the words “Stanley Cup Champions” are cast in 14-karat yellow gold, and the frame around the triangle on the team’s logo is as well.

While that might seem fitting for a black-and-gold team, Poitras said they also used yellow gold in the Broncos’ rings, as well as the World Series rings made for the Kansas City Royals. 

He said when they made the Royals rings last year, it marked the first time in a long time that the company had used any yellow gold in championship ring.

2. There are some unique stones in the Penguin logo. The penguin himself is made of natural black onyx and his white belly is set with a pear-shaped diamond.




On the blade of his hockey stick is a single baguette, and the triangle that forms the logo’s background is set with yellow diamonds. That triangle is meant to symbolize downtown Pittsburgh, which comes to a point (of sorts) where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers meet to form the Ohio.

3. It’s one of the biggest championship rings Jostens has ever made. The weight of the gold used for this ring is 104 grams, which makes it one of the heavier rings they’ve ever done, Poitras said.

The heaviest of all time ever produced by Jostens was for the New England Patriots when they beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl after the 2014 season. The weight of gold in that monster was 115 grams.


Just to put the size of these rings in perspective: The average engagement ring is around 4.5 to 6.5 grams and class rings are about 6 to 10 grams.

The Penguins’ ring also has 309 diamonds totaling 8.85 carats.

4. There’s a lesson to be learned from the mantra imprinted on the inside of the ring. The inside of the ring has two separate stamps

One side documents the results of the three playoffs series the Penguins had to win to get to the Cup, against the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning. It also includes the result of the Stanley Cup series, which the Penguins took 4-2




Opposite the series results is the phrase “Just Play,” the mantra adopted by a group that had a tumultuous year; the Penguins fired their coach mid-season and made a number of trades in an effort to turn around the underperforming team.

“Just Play” reminded players to focus on what they could control--their performance on the ice.

5. Jostens is no stranger to making rings for black-and-gold teams. Jostens has made rings for the Penguins before, and created the rings for five of the six Super Bowls won by the city’s football team, the Steelers. This includes the Steelers’ two most recent Super Bowl victories, in 2005 and 2008.

The company also has crafted World Series rings for the Pirates, though that’s a more distant memory, as Pittsburgh’s baseball team hasn’t won the MLB championship since 1979.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.
tags:

The Latest

Sylvie Jewelry Auranova Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Pomellato Nudo toi et moi ring
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Deborah Meyers Experience The Birds Earrings
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ Earrings

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

ejap cohort 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Melee diamonds from De Beers
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid Uncertainty

The company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.

Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (1).jpg
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Wolf CEO Simon Wolf
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. Expansion

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

gia1d100 btyb.jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

Iowa jeweler Herman Ginsberg
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

Charles & Colvard moissanite ring
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to Noncompliance

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

Young Diamantaires
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to Nonprofit

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Mined + Found "Hope" Matchbox Locket
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So Charming

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Jason McNary accepting FGI Fine Jewelry Rising Star award for Paola Sasplugas
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ Award

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

1999 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to Auction

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

Woman wearing Zales jewelry
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine Jewelry

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

JAR Apricot Blossom bracelet
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry Collection

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of Mouth

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

Avi Levy
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth Officer

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

Scottsdale Fine Jewelers store exterior
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow Independent

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cartier Exhibition Installation at Victoria & Albert Museum
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

IJO Director Samantha Larson
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise Strategy

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.

Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host Convention

The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy