Aulë's image is a very sound one; much appropriate, and it fits greatly the lore passages we seek to explore with the Emerald Stone. Having the actual beryl be adorned by dragon-like motifs and hence placed in a ring, did not displease me at all. Nevertheless, I absolutely comprehend the countering points some have brought up to discussion: a proliferation of magical or quasi-enchanted rings would not be easy to justify, not to mention that the own preponderance of the Rings of Power would be somehow diminished. Then, let us scrap the ring option.
On the other side, however, I find the proposed correspondence between the very gemstone and Thranduil's silver armour quite odd. It makes me feel uneasy. One of the sustaining pillars of the concept was/is still to free the Woodland King's Gift from a weapon-centred logic, alongside resolving what is currently an unpleasant replica in the game (two Sindarin lords, two silver armours). As I view things, his famed silver coat has to remain a separated feature: he will get his additional defence after reaching the fifth level. It is functional for the whole idea behind the change, for, as an immensely experienced and age-long warrior, he would be to obtain his past warfare equipment rather automatically, like Elrond already does. We have agreed countless times on making the addition of an armour independent from external factors (in this case, the intervention of Galadriel).
Turning to previous paths would lead us backwards, instead of forward.
I hope we shall hold firm and loyal to Tiberius' old adage:
"The Lady of Light is not a walking armoury!"
I've already explained to some of you how such proverb was born as an innocent joke; but I nonetheless deem it effective enough to remind us of one of the imperative goals we intend to achieve
So, in order to enter the
pars construens of my comment, what ought we to do? I would say that the current gemstone, alone, is more than fine. Finer than other less viable alternatives. Thranduil, furthermore, will still don his silver panoply at level 5, as it was planned; that is, we have no free slot in his Palantír anymore. Secondly, how are we to come up with a satisfying graphical outcome? I think we can play a bit with my story and with the (fictitious and quite self-serving) obscurity surrounding the tale of
Verdemárë: nowhere in the narration was it ever mentioned whether the Springberyl of Estë comprised other contour-jewellery, or whether the Woodland King had set the stone in a ring, necklace or bracelet. The stone may have been embellished with further precious extensions while in Doriath, only to be brought back to its original shape afterwards. The present details and state of the gem may remain unspecified; it is of little import for us. We just know that the Emerald Stone is borne by him and ever shines in the midst of his direst challenges. Be it set in a ring or kept in a pocket, that does not matter much.
The stone's beneficial influence could be easily shown via some sort of green luminescence/aura, glowing from and around the hero. An elegant rendition, though, in order to avoid grotesque results. A kind of sanctified leadership or halo. That would cater better for the situation.