Enfants Perdus - Great Heron Skull Ring

A new direction in the vein of weathered and oxidized designer jewelry. These pieces from Enfants Perdus incorporate sterling silver and 18 karat gold for a distinct line of men's jewelry. Here's what they say about themselves:

Our jewelry heirlooms are handmade, crafted from the tension between sterling silver and rich 18 karat gold, and united with rare objects – diamonds, black pearls, and precious gemstones.

A weathering patina is then hand-applied through 5-10 progressive layers and washes, imparting humanistic qualities to the noble metals. These hard, yet malleable materials evolve alongside the experiences of the piece’s wearer. The pieces change and glow with time.

Evolution is life. Stasis is death.

Royal Atelier - Monarch Classic Ring

One of the more classic designs I've been looking at lately, this Monarch Classic ring from US-based designer jewelry house Royal Atelier takes traditional lines and works with them for a piece that has lasting and enduring appeal. Picked up the premium monogram version from RA a few years back, and it's always done well on my list. Comes in for just over a hundred dollars at Elysieme, here.

Nicolina Royale - Guitar Pick Necklace

Interesting oxidized take on the usual guitar pick necklace from Nicolina Royale. If you follow the scene, their work is actually worn by quite a few American celebrities. Can't say I'm too interested in the Hollywood folks though, so I'll leave picking out the celebs to you guys. Done in sterling silver, and selling for 260USD on their site, here.

Kapadesigns - Ancient Sculpture Copper and Black Steel bracelet Watch Wristwatch

A heavily oxidized and weathered piece - bracelet watch done in copper and black steel from Kapadesigns. Was looking at this, and it definitely caught my eye, but made me think about something that's been coming up more and more often. It seems like Americans are in a constant search for authenticity. Not authenticity as 'what's real and what's a knockoff', but rather true authenticity - a sense of identity, of being real. A lot of people work in the office, a lot of people work in the retail or service industry. We do what we don't identify with and has no cultural relevance to us, or who we are. It's necessary, of course, but being "false" so much - keeping up a double fascade for your boss, coworkers, etc. - leaves us searching for something that "looks" real.

Hence the oxidized pieces, the distressed jeans, so on so forth.. I wonder how many people nowadays have jeans that were really distressed by their own wear, pieces that are broken down because of the love and how often they were used.

Silver Sparrow Designs - Hammered Rings

They've achieved a very nice patina on the oxidization of these rings. Not as extreme as some of the effects we've been seeing lately, which is always nice. Looks like they've taken on a very weathered, very human kind of feeling. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they have them in single rings, but if you're looking for wedding / couple rings, check it out at Silver Sparrow Designs' etsy page, here.

Renalto Peres Wooden Ring

Quite a rich and luxurious feeling from this ring. Wood tends to have a natural luxury to it that speaks quietly, yet with strength. Woodwork and jewelry designer Renalto Peres presents this creation through Novica. You can get it here for 82USD.

Kon Kon Robo Pendant Necklace

Tokyo-based Kon Kon's 7th year in production is yielding some pretty nice designs, if difficult to find. This Robo pendant is limited to 500 pieces worldwide. Bit of a hip hop feel to this one, not too bad as a necklace or as a keychain. ELYSIEME has it online for 225USD, so take a look here.

Bottega Veneta End of Season 2008 Sales

For anyone who didn't get the e-mails going around last month, Bottega Veneta's S/S and F/W RTW, accessories, jewelry, and bags have all been ridiculously marked down. Most items are on sale from 30-50% right now - at least the things that managed to get past the VIPs who reserved things last month. Give a call to your sales associate or, if you have a chance, take a look at the outlets. I was at Woodbury Commons (NYS) recently, and the remaining selection is still pretty decent. Lots of mens' stuff too, guys, but better go to the boutiques for that. Anyways.. check it out.

EDM Designs SKULL GEARS on Adjustable Filigree Ring

We're seeing steampunk influences in jewelry more and more nowadays. Here's a wearable piece that doesn't take it too far over the top. Very nice industrial styling in this EDM Designs. Check it out on their page, here.

Silicon Gallies - Black Laptop Computer Key Cufflinks - X KEY

Typewriter / keyboard keys as jewelry have been done before, but etsy's Capitola Girl Jewelry does pretty well on the implementation of these. Looks pretty sharp, with a side of nerd appeal - wonder how it looks in person. Check it out here.

CEMENT S/S 09 Collection

New spring/summer 2009 collection from men's jewelry label CEMENT has dropped!.. looks fantastic. Looks like Toronto is stepping up their game.. lots of great stuff coming from the Canadians these days. The collection's being carried by the good guys over at Nomad (Nomad, Goodfoot, Ransom, aka. the streetwear elite of the T-dot). THE GENERAL FIRM is also selling the pieces for a cool 75 bones online, so take a look here.