You may not have heard the word ‘steampunk’ before now, but it’s guaranteed that now that you have, you will spot steampunk everywhere! If you’re wondering, steampunk is an eclectic mix of Victorian science fiction – think flying machines and H. G. Wells and driving goggles and cogs - all of which are inspiring fashion and jewellery.
It’s not strictly a new trend, with the genre having originated during the 1980s and early 1990s, but steampunk seems to have enjoyed a sudden resurgence in popularity – so why not get ahead of the trend on the jewellery front before steampunk becomes mainstream? Your local independent jeweller will be in their element creating custom pieces from bits and bobs, cogs and bolts, clock dials and filigree metals – the only limit is your imagination!
Victorian femininity
When it comes to steampunk jewellery, there is a lot of talk about cogs and bolts, keys and clock faces and other manly things, but it’s also about the intricate designs of bygone eras, with particular reference to the Victorian era. With pearls being back in fashion, your local jeweller will be able to easily create something feminine, and yet still in keeping with the steampunk genre. Also check your local jewellery shop for cameos, as these are very much the feel that you’ll be after when it comes to feminine Victorian steampunk jewellery. Ask your local independent jeweller to mount a cameo on to a wide bronze cuff with intricate detailing carved into it, for example, or commission a pearl chocker made from dark coloured pearls: extremely feminine, most definitely classy and exceptionally steampunk!
Pendants of forgotten treasures
One of the joys of steampunk jewellery is the old saying that ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’; it’s common with steampunk jewellery to see old keys, watch faces, cogs and other pendants such as glass beads strung on long necklace chains. If you’ve got some loose pearls of different colours rolling around in your jewellery box, and an old watch face which isn’t doing anything useful, why not ask your local independent jeweller to create a unique pendant for you? The trick is to suspend the different components separately, so the pearls should be on a slightly different part of the chain from the watch dial, and then maybe an old key could be hung from another part of the chain; your local jeweller will be able to advise on the best way of doing this and come up with a design to suit your steampunk look.
Gentlemanly looks from a bygone era
And don’t forget that men can get involved with steampunk too – in fact, it’s a great look for the modern fashionable gent! For a special birthday, ask your local independent jeweller about pocket watches or cufflinks – the cufflinks could be made from old watch pieces for example, and why not ask your local jewellery shop to engrave the pocket watch? The sky really is the limit when it comes to bespoke steampunk pieces from your local independent jeweller, so fire up your imagination (and your flying machine!)!
