Biker Jewelry 101 For Newbies

Define: Biker Jewelry (pronunciation: \'bi-ker 'ju-el-re\ noun) – biker jewelry, alternatively known as rocker jewelry, gothic jewelry, rock and roll jewelry, rock n roll jewelry deviates hugely from traditional forms of delicate jewelry. Aside from the fact that biker jewelry always carries more weight and substance than delicate classical jewelry pieces, biker jewelry is also easily identifiable owing to the bold statement it makes with its trademark masculine look, often created using thick and heavy precious metals; sterling silver in particular. It is not uncommon to find sterling silver wallet chains weighing an entire pound. The combination of leather (sometimes alligator or snake skins), silver and bold designs make up the essential elements of the born-to-be-wild image. The good thing is you do not have to be a biker, or live the biker lifestyle, to wear and appreciate biker jewelry. The biker is a cultural icon which represents the ability to ride free, to flaunt your own style without boundaries and to live on your own time. Wearing sterling silver biker jewelry is a statement of freedom and independence.

The biker jewelry of today has evolved from simple classic wallet chains and skull rings into highly intricate, custom, handcrafted, beautiful pieces of wearable art made in sterling silver and other precious metals. In the world of biker jewelry, boldness, designs and motifs matter. Commonly seen designs include an entire range of animal jewelry, skull jewelry, cross jewelry, fleur de lis jewelry, hearts jewelry and fire jewelry. Aficionados of biker jewelry treasure good silver designs just like tattoo lovers value great ink designs. Patina on silver creates a unique and beautiful polished black contrasted against a background of glistening silver; an effect no other metal can replicate. It can bring out the depth and detail of intricate designs, a look that sterling silver fans adore.

Los Angeles and Tokyo are the biker jewelry capitals of the world. Sterling silver Biker jewelry lovers are known as "silver freaks" in Japan. The first Japanese to admire biker jewelry were young tourists visiting Los Angeles in the 1990's who instantly took to the magic of Gabor Nagy's first sterling silver gothic designs.

First Generation Biker Jewelry and Leather Designers from Los Angeles:

GN - Gabor Nagy started "Gabor" or "Gaboratory"
TW - Travis Walker (Gabor's student and trusted employee) started Double Cross
BWL - Bill Wall (Gabor's partner, client and business associates) started Bill Wall Leather or BWL
DP - Dennis Pollicino started Leathers and Treasures
RS - Richard Stark started Chrome Hearts or CH
RM - Ryk Maverick started Starlingear
VAL - Jerry Van Amburg started Van Amburg Leathers

Relationships Outside First Generation Designers:
SG - Stanley Guess (from Chrome Hearts' camp) started Stanley Guess or Guess Werks Japan
LK - Leonard Kamhout (from Chrome Hearts' camp) started Lone Ones

Second Generation Biker Jewelry and Leather Designers:

AP - Armand Serra started Crazy Pig Designs (England)
TM - Thierry Martino started SoulFetish (France)
MB - Mitchell Binder started King Baby Studio (USA)
101 - Matt Booth started Room 101 (USA)

Popular Los Angeles Areas for Biker Jewelry: Santa Monica; Venice; Malibu; Melrose
Popular Countries for Biker Jewelry: USA; UK; Germany; Hong Kong; Japan; Taiwan

Biker jewelry, or rock n roll jewelry, was the first type of theme jewelry to cater almost exclusively to men, utilizing bold motifs and masculine designs to represent power, freedom, strength and rebellion. Once thought to be reserved for bikers, outlaws or rock fans, sterling silver gothic jewelry has today entered the mainstream fashion realm for both men and women, who sometimes wish to express the badass attitude they are often forced to conceal within their stuffy office-bound exteriors. Biker jewelry designers and sterling silver aficionados deserve much credit for the recent surge in popularity of men’s jewelry, rock 'n' roll accessories, and skull motifs in fashion.

Gone are the days when watches and neckties were the only accessories a man could wear. Today, jewelry has become an important staple to any well-dressed man’s wardrobe, with sterling silver being the metal of choice. The combination of leather, sterling silver and bold designs comprise the essential elements of the modern man’s image. Increasingly, men and women alike are being drawn to biker-inspired fashion. Designers are answering to the call by offering new lines for both men and women that include biker-style leather jackets, clothing, baseball caps, shirts, handbags, accessories and, of course, sterling silver jewelry. Biker jewelry, despite what naysayers of the past decade have claimed, is here to stay.