Eyes of Common: Lovers in Summer

Eyes of Common was first launched in 2010  the second collection of Sterling silver treasures offering more motifs associated with bikers and tattoos in addition to their debut collection 'Poor Number 10'. My favourites include the eagle immortalised in a necklace as well as ring and the cigarette lighter ring. A softer side of their second collection 'Lovers in Summer' included the pronged silver daisy ring with black gem at the centre of the pollen as well as the wire skeletons of pyramids which secure and hide dangling hexagonal crystals of quartz.

The brand is the brain child and project between two youths, started in New Zealand 2010. It began with sketches on a scarp book which evolved into something more between Aidan Bartlett, the drummer for Midnight Youth and hairdresser Donielle Brooke. The two used the sketches as the basis for designing and evolving their own range of silver jewels.

The two were inspired by themes and images far-flung and varied which range from the binary oppositions of love and heartache, motor bike gangs and their chunky club rings in silver, tattoos and the 80's. The Auckland based duo formed 'Eyes of Common' taking inspiration from and naming their label after a line in a Joanna Newsom song.

Their pieces are crafted in a small workshop and their jewellery is self-described as 'belonging on the fingers of classic rock guitarists or around the necks of poets.' The brand further goes on, describing their silver jewels as "Dark but with a positive edge, the silver pieces possess a solidity and permanence that transform them into statements of individuality and cultural exuberance. They look and feel arcane yet contemporary, suggesting other places and times while exuding the essence of modern tastes."

At the centre of this gorgeous daisy ring is a Smokey Quartz Healing Stone and is surrounded by two tiers or individual petals all on a thin silver band. The design is very sweet and made all the more valuable by the use of precious metal and semi-precious stone but I am wary of the pointed prongs of the petals. While they do add distinction and unique flavour to the piece, this is definitely a piece of jewellery you slide on to your finger after you have finished doing your hair. I have braided my hair many times to have sections pulled out by the detail on a rings left with an empty feeling and having to start all over again.

Never before have I seen a cigarette lighter used in jewellery design, while I am familiar with the best of New Zealand dark, grunge brands that seem to specialise in using silver and I have seen plenty of nails, bolts as well as brad picks and fish soy sauce bottles I haven't seen a lighter used. It would be great if the rolling wheel spun around, I have a small adoration for spinner rings and things I can fiddle with. It would be fun to do on the train crammed in with peak hour commuters and counting the number of curious looks I get from middle-aged on lookers.

At first I didn't see the crystal due to the white background of the card behind the ring (my pet peeve at the moment) but I did feel rather entranced by the little hidden gem in the pyramid ring. It does seem rather fitting to have a treasure hidden in a pyramid, after all, that is there sole purpose to preserve the bodies of Pharaohs long since past and keep them safe with all their valuables and necessary objects for the next life.

Clink Jewellery

I've been after mystical and healing crystal jewellery for a while and I found the perfect solution to my search while looking on a New Zealand shop's blog! Superette are a store I added to keep in contact with brands such as Deadly Ponies, Stolen Girlfriends Club as well as D_Luxe Jewellery but I have now discovered another gem of a brand to add to that list. Clink Jewellery have created and harnessed some of the mystical properties believed to be carried in some semi-precious stones in the forms of gorgeous pieces of jewellery. The first photograph shows the raw crystal characteristics of an amethyst coloured quartz geode, hung aloft on a chain necklace and a silver bail.

I was most impressed with this netting necklace which supports a small carved piece of quartz in an amethyst colour in the shape of a skull. I have a small addiction with skulls in pretty shapes and sizes at the moment; along with this piece there's a cow skull in sterling silver I'm thinking of buying down at one of my local shops as well as a small glass bottle of vodka in a skull shape I'd love to display on my window sill. I can't find this piece available on the shop's website so I think someone else may have beaten me to it but it would have been a lovely necklace to wear while on public transport- being able to touch and feel over the sculpted curves and dips of the skull as well as the neat and square teeth. The polished and tumbled look of the rock is what really speaks to me in the design of a skull.

In the traditional shape of a healing crystal comes this pointed and pyramid shaped stone on the end of a silver chain necklace. It looks more like a prop to be used by a hypnotist rather than something you'd wear around your neck but it still looks lovely. I know the perfect thing to wear with this jade coloured stone: a red coloured jumper! Subconsciously I've been wearing red and green as well as favouring my green turtle backpack when going out to work the last two days... I've come down with an infectious case of tinisilitis and holiday Christmas fever. I much prefer the clean lines and sharp point of this necklace compared to the rough and raw look of crystals bound by netting, but I'm morning the loss of the skull stone necklace still.

This Jade Point Necklace is definitely a must have! Jade is known to strengthen the heart, kidneys and immune system. Helps cleanse blood and is a powerful emotional balancer.

Chronicles of Never

Chronicles of Never has been one of my favourite grunge brands, they use a lot of loose drapery and muted tones for their clothes- but it's their jewellery that really sets my soul on fire.

The combination of brushed steel as well as rough cut chapes and pendants for their designs simply cannot be immitated. The dark and brooding nature of their pieces transaltes well into the mood and atmosphere created for their photoshoots to emphasise the darkness of their jeweller, eyewear and clothing. As I said before, I'm not really interested in the clothign from the label, it seem very masculine and male oreintated and the designs for their female counter-part pieces seem unchanged and not fully utilising the female figure. Their jewellery collections are imaginative, strong and bold, and my favourite piece to come from the Australian label is the crystal necklace and charm bracelet.

The necklace pictured above features the Chronicles of Never symbol, a traignular shaped hour glass on the clasp of the necklace and the pendant is of two hexagonal shaped 'crystals' in pure black and white. The sharp and stark colours of each of the crystals seems so unreal, the look more like chalk than a type of quartz. The rough and jagged clasp around the top of each of the crystals emphasise the hand made and unique nature of each of the necklaces.
Each necklace retails for AUD$269.00 but they are rather rare. I once saw both the necklace and bracelet for sale on eBay from the same seller but was far too broke to afford either pieces. Needless to say, I was not a happy chappy for the rest of the week and the clouds hung above my head.

Chronicles Of Never Crystal Necklace

Sterling Silver Chain necklace with Crystal pendant from the Chronicles Of Never Jewellery collection. Made from 925 Sterling Silver which has been treated, oxidised and hand polished which leaves it with this unique oxidised blackened finish. The chain is approximately 32cm in length and has 2 small crystal pendants. These crystals have been covered in a chalk like paint which makes them black and white in colour. Also look awesome slightly scratched off. All the Chronicles Of Never Jewellery is hand made and distinctly finished. Given the unique designs, colours and materials used, it is obvious to spot an individual wearing a Chronicles of Never item. Comes in a Chronicles Of Never jewellery pouch. - The Annex Concept Store

The bracelet features a single hexagonal crystal in black with Chronicles of Never's trademark oxidised and brushed silver chain. Draped around your wrist, the charm is meant to evoke dark magic and circles of witches but somehow I can't help but think how sweet it looks. Each crystal and the silver clasp around it is unqiue- you'll notice that the silver at the top of the crystal is much more straight and horizontal than it's necklace counter-part. Unfortunately I don't know the price of the bracelet as it is a very rare piece. If you own either a necklace or a bracelet, consider yourself a very luck and fashion-forward person. If you do own both pieces consider, you've struck Chronicles of Never (metaphorical) gold!