Generally when we think of jewelry, we think of items such as bracelets, necklaces, and rings made of materials like sterling silver, gold, or platinum. However, as more and more people are trying to make a unique statement, jewelry is becoming more unique and at times wild and outrageous. Designers today are becoming more extreme in their ideas, and are even going so far as to use insects, plants, and other odd materials to come up with different,unique collections.
One of the strangest types of jewelry that you can purchase would have to be the Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Brooch. These large cockroaches are bejeweled with Austrian Swarovski Crystal and come with a leash so they do not escape. In order to truly understand this jewelry idea, you have to know a bit about Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. These bugs are one of the largest types of cockroach, and are found on the island of Madagacar, which is off the coast of Africa.The cockroaches are very large and can reach three inches in length,and they have small holes in their abdomens that they can push air out of to make a hissing noise, similar to a cat. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach has become a fairly popular pet, as they are fairly easy to care for, and completely harmless. In 2006, a fashion designer from Salt Lake City, Utah, named Jared Gold decided that he was going to turn these insects into jewelry. Jared was looking for something to push his fashion collection over the top, hence the idea of bejeweled cockroaches. According to Jared, placing crystals on the cockroaches does not harm them, as they have a hard shell covering their head that is not damaged by the placement of the jewels, and they even come with a small leash so they do not get away from you. The cockroaches are purchased from a place that sells them as feed, so Jared says he is actually saving the lives of these insects. If you want to purchase one, you have to be prepared to care for it. The bejeweled cockroachescome with instructions for their care. They have to be given water,fruit and vegetables, and their aquarium must be kept clean. The bejeweled cockroaches have an approximate lifespan of one year but could potentially live for up to two years.
Another very unique type of jewelry is growing jewelry by Hafsteinn Juliusson. Hafsteinn is a product designer from Iceland that decided to combine jewelry and gardening by designing rings that have Icelandic Moss growing in them. Just like the cockroach brooch, the growing jewelry requires some care and maintenance. It must be watered regularly so that the plant thrives and stays healthy. Unfortunately for those of you looking to purchase some of this unique jewelry, it is not an easy thing to get your hands on. The only place to purchase these unique rings is at the Reykjavik Art Museum, located in Reykjavik, Iceland. Hafsteinn Juliusson, the designer of this interesting jewelry is against mainstream mass production so chances are his designs will not be readily available anytime in the near future.
Open Design and Concepts is a company located in Moscow, Russia that has designed some very interesting jewelry. The Diamond Inside ring is probably one of this company's most unique designs. It is a gold ring that contains a rather large diamond inside. There is a gold plate covering the top of the ring that says the words "diamond inside" and there is a small hole that allows you to view a small part of the diamond. While the Diamond Inside ring is a very interesting concept,most people that are fortunate enough to own a large, beautiful diamond probably want to show it off as opposed to hiding it. Open Design and Concepts also designed a ring called the Calendar Ring. The Calendar Ring consists of three rings that rotate independently and can be setup to show the day of the month, and the day of the week. This ring is a great idea for those of us who can never remember the date. This company has some rather odd yet beautiful designs that are sure to be a conversation starter.
Whether you are looking for average mainstream jewelry, or something very unique and strange that is sure to draw attention to you, there are many retailers that sell these items or that can help you find someone that does. If you are looking for a strange piece of jewelry,it is important to know what you are getting yourself into. For instance, items such as growing jewelry, or cockroach brooches, do require daily care, and can be quite expensive, so it is important to do some research and find a piece that you are comfortable with. It is also important to remember with living jewelry, that plants and animals can die, and unlike jewelry made with materials such as gold, and silver, you will not have that particular piece forever.