What’s Steampunk Jewelry?

Are you interested in steampunk? Do you have a Twitter account? Then you should be already checking out #SteampunkChat.

Steampunk jewelry was the chosen topic (transcript available here) on 21st October. We missed this chat due to time difference, but we would like to do our bit. For this reason we have made our own selection of tweets to share with you our own vision. Hope you find it enriching!

I.- The concept: what would we consider steampunk jewelry?

Steampunk is one of the main inspiration sources for the Decimononic crew and probably many of our pieces could be categorized like that. So… what can we say about this?

What exactly makes steampunk jewelry? #SteampunkChat

— Ashley Wade (@crankyashley) October 22, 2011

Honestly, we cannot answer this question. However, we can give our particular point of view about what could steampunk jewelry be. In fact we agree mostly with Ms. Cheryl L. G. Trent, as we think that Victorian Era could be taken as point of departure… but always with a multicultural approach. Besides, we do think that Art-Nouveau should be taken into consideration too. And an industrial touch should be always welcome.

I think the secret to good steampunk jewelry is taking the traditional, but making it unique. #steampunkchat

— Cheryl L-G Trent (@clgbutterfly) October 22, 2011

I would say you need the aesthetic of victorian and edwardian jewelry but then add some modern flair or techniques. #steampunkchat

— Cheryl L-G Trent (@clgbutterfly) October 22, 2011

If the roots may be found in the Victorian Era, vintage elements deserve protagonism… but not only that. Most of the watch movements, keys, coins, etc. we use are antiques and, as bits of History, they deserve not only protagonism, but respect.

and much the jewelry can have a story… it can be part of a time traveling device or aetherometer… simulate function #steampunkchat

— Captain Syfer Locke (@SyferLocke) October 22, 2011

As Prof. Jeremiah R. Morrow states, steampunk jewelry allows as to let our imagination fly, re-inventing the past to dream new futures.

I think the good think with steampunk jewelry, is it allows for the really outlandish and fun stuff, even in miniscule. #steampunkchat

— Jeremiah R. Morrow (@ProfessorMorrow) October 22, 2011

And of course steampunk is always being redefined. As an alive movement, steampunk evolves and steampunk fashion changes through time. Identifying trends may be difficult, but that does not mean that these trends do not exist. Hopefully we will participate actively in this renovation process.

Steampunk Jewelry is also changing. Just like with any fashion it has trends. #steampunkchat

— Cheryl L-G Trent (@clgbutterfly) October 22, 2011

II.- Expectations: Quality, Design, Innovation

Designers … do you see a lot of "lazy" designs around? i.e., someone who's "slapped a gear on it" and tried to sell as SP? #steampunkchat

— Matthew Delman (@mattdelman) October 22, 2011

Clumsy steampunk jewelry turns me off. Victorians were craftsmen. No welding gunks and glue gun messes, please. #steampunkchat

— Lia Keyes (@LiaKeyes) October 22, 2011

We have spent a lot of time learning about jewelry and, of course, steampunk. There are some outstanding designers out there, but we have a feeling that copycats are not precisely the exception. It is even more difficult to find genuine fine jewelry, made with precious metals and stones. And this is where we are ready to contribute our ‘2 cents’, we are committed to the creation of first-class fine jewelry pieces. Jewels for a lifetime, elegant enough to be worn both daily and in especial occasions.

How many people craft jewelry that is meant to be worn every day, vs just as part of a SP outfit? #steampunkchat

— Robo-Butler (@Robo_Butler) October 22, 2011

III.- ‘Steampunk Jewelry styles’

Some of the participants in this chat have come up with very interesting ideas. We had considered most of them previously and this is why we have had some future series in mind for a long time… but let’s not go too fast. We would like to take this chance to invite you to look for future updates about this!

I don't see enough amulets and talismans relating to Victorian spiritualism, superstitions, and love of the occult. #steampunkchat

— Lia Keyes (@LiaKeyes) October 22, 2011

@LiaKeyes oh very much so… egyptology, occultism… all kinds of interesting victorian trinkets that are SP already #steampunkchat

— Captain Syfer Locke (@SyferLocke) October 22, 2011

Would love a line of #Steampunk jewelry inspired by alchemy. Perhaps pendant perfume bottles… #steampunkchat

— Lia Keyes (@LiaKeyes) October 22, 2011

@jhameia Yes! Glass, enamel, very beautiful. Why not more stained glass #Steampunk jewelry? #steampunkchat

— Lia Keyes (@LiaKeyes) October 22, 2011

What about steampunk jewelry as weaponry? Spring-loaded poisoned darts, etc. 🙂 #steampunkchat

— Lia Keyes (@LiaKeyes) October 22, 2011

Ethnic Steampunk jewelry has a way to go yet! Window on the world. #steampunkchat

— Lia Keyes (@LiaKeyes) October 22, 2011

IV.- Jewelry Techniques

This is an important issue, often unattended due to lack of jewelry skills. Solding, forging, sawing… are basic techniques that are used by professional silversmiths every day. And this is how Decimononic pieces are proudly made.

Love is in the details. Details like this one, for example:

Jewelers: Do you treat metal surfaces to change their color and patina? What methods do you prefer? #steampunkchat

— Lia Keyes (@LiaKeyes) October 22, 2011