Unusual Materials Used in Jewellery Making
For centuries, jewellery designers have been experimenting with different materials to create new and unique jewellery. The following materials have either been popular in historical jewellery making, or they are being used for jewellery today.
Hair
The romanticism and sentimentality of the Victorian era meant that human hair was a popular material used in jewellery making. It may seem unusual for us in the 21st century, but for the Victorians, hair jewellery was a way to honour and remember their deceased loved ones. Locks of hair were not just used for mourning jewellery, however; they were also used as tokens of love. Hair would be crafted into a ring, bracelet or brooch and given to a lover, a family member, or a close friend.
Ashes
While mourning jewellery is not a term we use in our culture today, some people choose to have a loved one’s ashes made into a piece of jewellery as a way of keeping them close. Generally, there are two ways to do this: the first is by holding the ashes in a hollow compartment such as a charm or locket, and the second is to have the ashes turned into a glass pendant or stone set in a ring.
Lava
If we journey back to the Victorian era, a popular material for cameo jewellery was lava. The soft consistency of lava rock made it easy for jewellery makers to carve and create the intricate designs that cameo pieces are known for. Typically found in Italy, lava cameos were bought by women visiting the country, who would then return home with their luxury keepsakes.
Succulents
Jewellery inspired by nature has been popular for centuries, but in recent years some jewellery designers have taken this idea a step further by experimenting with live plants. Because they can survive with little water, succulents are a great choice for creating “living” jewellery that can be worn for a time before being replanted.
Recycled Materials
Many jewellery makers choose their materials based on the effect they have on the environment. Using recycled materials for jewellery can create some really unusual pieces while also reducing waste! Examples of recycled materials that have been used to create jewellery include:
- Glass bottles
- Tin cans
- Plastic bottles
- Bicycle inner tubes
- Ceramic plates
- Cutlery
You can also choose to have old jewellery recycled into a new piece; it’s not uncommon for a bride to have a family heirloom re-worked into a special piece of jewellery to wear on her wedding day. It’s a great way to create a new design while keeping a sentimental heirloom in the family.
If you have an unusual piece of jewellery that you’d like re-worked into something new, we’d be happy to help. Just get in touch to find out more about our jewellery design service.