Ring of Diamonds

RELEASED: 5.9.2008 PRODUCED: Approx. 10 Copies DESIGNER: Stewart Coffin CRAFTSMAN: Mark McCallum MATERIAL: Canarywood COMMENTS: Before I insert the comments sent to me by Mark, I'd just like to interject one thing. Every now and again I pick up a puzzle someone else made which is just perfect in every respect, and makes me feel like I am a caveman working with a chainsaw in comparison. This is one such puzzle. Every angle, detail, cut, even the finish, is absolutely perfect. This is a superlative puzzle. The Ring of Diamonds puzzle was designed by Stewart Coffin, originally starting around 1973 and rediscovered in 1995. This is an improved variation of Mr. Coffin's #13 (The General or Four Star) that uses rhombic sticks instead of triangular sticks. The Ring of Diamonds is numbered 13-B in Mr. Coffin's list. According to his records he made a few in 1995. This puzzle is another of Mr. Coffin's wonderful polyhedral puzzles which can be assembled to make a four star prism. The puzzle consists of six differently shaped pieces and has only one solution. Mr Coffin described this version as neater and easier to make. I agree with the neater portion, but I'm not so sure about the easier t