Category: Unique

Bibi van der Velden

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BibiAbsolutely adore all that is Bibi van der Velden. Her jewelry pieces are truly wearable works of art. Another artist from the Netherlands and current favorite of mine. She creates luxurious one of a kind works of art to be enjoyed for years to come. Her materials list is off the charts! From commonly known precious metals like gold and platinum to rare finds like carved mammoth ivory, scarab beetles etc.. Each piece is definitely one of a kind piece of history in itself.


I particularly love her cloud series. Personally the pricing is not over the top for the delicate and intricate designs such as hers. I would love to own a cloud piece as carved quartz is very appealing to my eyes. I especially love the added dangling chains in her necklaces that make a great statement piece.

Rose

Craftsmanship is stunning. Carving techniques are one of a kind; but of course she is a sculptor like her mother. I could rave on and on and all would be positive things to say about her work. Pictures speak louder than words so please feast your eyes on the following!

Right now: Third post @ 3am. – I hope my noisy neighbors do not wake me prior to 10am with their squealing toddler in their pool 5 yards from my bedroom. I will wreck havoc.

Kim Mee Hye

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Long time no post! I figured I’d write a post while I’m good and tipsy on a few glasses of Sauvignon Blanc after a long work week. My boss has been out of the office and certain things have come to light, so I have been working hard… or hardly working? You get the gist; that is all I’ll delve into.

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Now onto the topic at hand. Introducing Kim Mee Hye: Korean jeweler based in Antwerp, Belgium.
“By integrating extraordinary sophisticated and invisible mechanisms into her pieces, Kim Mee Hye creates jewellery that includes more than one single message.  The variable geometry shapes can either be worn casually or in more sophisticated ways. Kim Mee Hye create pieces with hidden messages, implying they can be shown or simply not.”
Very beautifully stated (taken from the profile section of her website). I just love jewelers who create works of art in precious metals/gems to convey different meanings!


bijoux-537x350What caught my eye for the most part was Kim Mee Hye’s handcuff series! The handcuff
engagement ring and bracelet are ironic and very much speaks to those who embrace the comedic and often joked about locked- downness (pretty sure that’s not a real word) to marriage and their significant other! Definitely tongue in cheek!

The new trends focus on rotating and customization of jewelry. I actually really love this idea and the mechanisms jewelers are coming up with in executing various different types of look using hinge plus locking methods in single pieced jewelry. Kim Mee Hye isn’t the first I’ve seen using the hinge method and I’m not sure who came up with it first- recent jewelry from Vita Fede also features hinged rings studded with crystals for various different looks and feels. My only teeny tiny problem with this is cleanliness! You can never stop the dirt and grime from acquiring in hinges. Kim Mee Hye’s jewelry are produced in various different materials; rose gold, white gold, diamonds, black diamond etc. Needless to say: this jewelry is for individuals with a fine source of income. Her pieces are available online in select suppliers. As her pieces seem to be made of solid gold, prices range in the 4digits! 

Signing off: Tipsy with no regrets. (I’m so sorry liver!!)

 

 

MNGRM

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Let’s take a dip on the really uber cool very unique customizable side and talk about MNGRM. 924636_808405482579822_445637043_n.jpgWhilst browsing on the 3d printing/ makerbot hashtag on instgram (because most of my finds are from instagram- go figure). I stumbled upon this little beauty of a find. MNGRM is a fine 3d print jewelry company (?) of little known background (well at least to me since I could not find who the owners are!)
So MNGRM takes two letters of your choice (usually your initials) and puts it through a 3d algorithm to create this kaleidoscope of a 3d pendant. The final product is a 3d mesh of one letter on one side that when you spin to the other side Voila!, it becomes the other letter! Pretty ingenious algorithm I must say and with all these personalizable pieces out there, MNGRM definitely take the cake and puts the spotlight on 3d printing and all its possibilities.

For those of you who are into the whole initials and personalized thing, go check  out their website! I am definitely a supporter of all things unique and 3d printed but unfortunately, these pretty babies are out of my budget. MNGRM does have alot of options including stainless steel, polished steel, copper and even the precious metals like gold and platinum. The cheapest is the 1/2 in rough stainless steel option which starts at $70 USD. (ouch!)
Again, it’s not on the top of my list of must haves but it is one of those pieces that would get alot of attention and keep your ADD at bay.

Lastly, check out that dope packaging! Pretty 3d fine jewelry packaged in custom 3d printed white geometric boxes wrapped up in twine. Whats not to love?

 

Kataoka Jewelry

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katoakaOn the note of uncommon luxury jewelers and their designs is that of Japanese jeweler Yoshinobu Kataoka of Kataoka Jewelry.
From what I’ve seen its very common for Japanese jewelers to convey the dainty feeling of all their designs. Kataoka is not exception to this ‘rule’. I think it has something to do with the modest Japanese culture- nothing too flashy or too over the top.

What especially caught my attention with Kataoka’s designs is that he literally drills holes in diamonds for his necklaces. Similar to Martin Margiela’s split sapphire ring, this jeweler is unafraid to ‘cut corners’ (in this case holes) to create new and refreshing looks.18k diamond necklace
I mean, diamonds to a lot of people are sacred things and the larger the better right? There’s always talk of quality and imperfections of diamonds lowering the price of shiny rocks but kataoka throws that idea away. He treats diamonds as you do with less pricey precious stones (rose quartz etc) the idea that you can manipulate a piece of rock to create wearable aesthetically pleasing pieces, albeit dainty expensive ones.

Needless to say, I love the idea of drilling holes into diamonds. It kind of reminds me of a passive aggressive front on blood diamonds and the diamond industry in general. Americans and I believe millennials are instilled with this idea that diamonds are forever. In addition that for a man to love a woman is to commit by spending one third of his annual income by buying her a diamond ring women are taught to aspire to the idea of marriage and the idea that getting ‘the ring’ is a common goal. That is not to say that is the case for all women, I am merely providing my musings.
But I digress. Most jewelers in this day and age I feel must confine by societal standards to make a living. That’s just how it is.


Current Song:
Hands to myself 
By: Selena Gomez

Maison Martin Margiela

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PompadourScindeeRing
Pompadour Scindee Ring

For those who love jewelry with a twist, you should definitely check out the fine jewelry section from French designer Martin Margiela.
Its hard to get fine jewelry to look sleek and fine while cut in half. Made with diamonds and sapphires, this will set you back roughly $6000 USD. But still, if someone proposed to me with this ring, its YES YES YES A MILLION TIMES YES!

Apparently, Martin Margiela worked alongside Paul Gaulthier at some point. Alongside this beauty are sideways rings, deconstructed rings, giant clasp necklaces etc.

I’m a sucker for unique jewelry and Maison Martin Margiela does just this.
At the very least, sporting any accessory from this line is almost guaranteed to be a conversation starter.

*As always, as I cannot afford such luxuries these pictures were found from google.com.