Biker Jewelry 101 – A Beginner’s Guide

Biker Jewelry, commonly also sometimes known as rocker jewelry, gothic jewelry, rock and roll jewelry and rock n roll jewelry, deviates hugely in comparison with classic conceptions of delicate jewelry, and carries more weight and substance than its traditional counterpart. Rock & Roll jewelry is easily identifiable owing to the bold statement it makes with its deliberately masculine look. It is commonly crafted using thick and heavy precious metals; in particular sterling silver, the craftsmans prime choice of material. It is not unheard of to find real sterling silver wallet chains weighing an entire pound made by a famous biker jewelry franchise. The magical fusion of leather (sometimes alligator or snake skins), silver and bold designs comprises the essential elements of the renegade biker image. The good thing is you do not have to be a biker or live the biker lifestyle to shack on biker jewelry. The biker is simply a mythical cultural icon which represents the ability to ride without restriction, to feel the wind blowing hard against your skin, to flaunt your own style without a damn about conformity and to live on your own time. Wearing biker jewelry is about making a resounding statement of freedom and independence.

The gothic silver jewelry of today has evolved from simple traditional wallet chains and simple skull rings into highly intricate, custom, handcrafted, stunningly beautiful pieces of wearable art made in sterling silver and other precious metals. In the world of biker jewelry, boldness, designs and motifs matter. Frequently seen designs include an entire arsenal of animal jewelry, skull jewelry, cross jewelry, fleur de lis jewelry, hearts jewelry and fire jewelry. Fans of biker jewelry heavily emphasize the importance of good silver designs rather than brands just like tattoo lovers value great ink designs. Patina on silver appears as a unique and beautiful polished black accentuating a background of glistening silver; a uniquely quirky effect no other metal can replicate.

LA and Tokyo are the biker jewelry capitals of the globe. Known as “silver freaks” in Japan, the first Japanese to admire biker jewelry were young tourists visiting Los Angeles in the 1990’s who immediately took to the magic of Gabor Nagy’s very first gothic silver designs.

Biker jewelry, or rock n roll jewelry, was the first of its kind in that it catered almost exclusively to men, using bold motifs and masculine designs to represent strength, freedom and rebellion. Once thought to be reserved for bikers, outlaw bikers and rockers, gothic silver jewelry has crept into the realm of mainstream fashion for both men and women alike. Biker jewelry designers and sterling silver aficionados deserve much credit for the recent surge in popularity of mens jewelry, rock ‘n’ roll accessories, and skull motifs in fashion.

Gone are the times when ties and watches were the only accessories a man could look forward to wearing. Today, jewelry has become an important staple to any well-dressed mans wardrobe, with sterling silver being the metal of choice. The combination of leather, sterling silver and bold emblems comprise the essential elements of the biker image, and increasingly, men and women alike are being drawn to biker-inspired fashion as a theme for casual wear. Designers are finally answering to the call of the masses by offering new lines for both genders which include biker-style leather jackets, clothing, , shirts and, of course sterling silver jewelry. Biker jewelry, despite what naysayers of the past decade have claimed, is here to stay.

In recent years, prices of biker jewelry have risen so sharply that fans are increasingly being priced out of the market. In response to this development, compelling alternatives to designer labels are being offered by non-designer label jewelers, who utilize the same sterling silver to create almost identical or similarly styled (inspired) designs as the originals.