[Les Meehan]

I don't know your expertise with lighting but you asked for honest comments so here goes...

Apart from the compositional issues, which has been commented and replied on, it is the lighting that is letting you down with this image.

I am not convinced about ring-flash for ice (or any relatively reflective subject), sorry Rob, because as you mention I think you will have real trouble with highlights.

Usually, most pros will light a transparent/translucent subject with some form of backlighting. Now this is not direct backlighting, i.e. pointing the light onto the back of the subject, but 'indirect' backlighting. Lighting glassware/crystal/ice is best done but using the refractive properties of the subject. Take a look at most glassware shots in mags/catalogues and you will see that it is the 'background' that has been lit and not the subject! If you place a white background behind and direct a light onto this, the reflected light will be refracted by your transparent subject creating dark and light areas. By making the light on the background graduated in some way you will alter the light in the subject.
If you want a black background it requires a similar but more involved system.

To put light onto the front to pink up the colours of the solid objects, use white card reflectors or a second light through a tracing paper diffuser.

For info: When I was doing work in my studio in London (many years ago now) I was usually commissioned to shoot all of Habitats glassware (amongst most of their other stuff like major roomsets). Anyone who remembers Habitat catalogues will know the glassware was always done nicely. I have a lot of experience with this stuff!