Steampunk
Another style of jewellery is steampunk. Those who dress steampunk often wear Victorian-style clothing that has been "tweaked" in edgy ways: tattered, distorted, melded with Goth fashion, Punk, and Rivethead styles. Another example of Victorian fashion being incorporated into a contemporary style is the Gothic and Classic Lolita Fashion culture.
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistictechnology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion,culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history.
Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steampunk.
Characteristics
When looking at various designs, it became clear that characteristic of steampunk jewellery include:
- Insides of old working watches and other moving part items
- Mixed with vintage Victorian ephemera such as cameos
- Chain
- Elaborate swirls similar to gothic jewellery
- Obviously rooted in inspiration from mechanics
- Metals often antique in colour – no bright gold/silver etc, looks tarnished
- Some designs include mechanics combined with nature i.e. clock face with butterflies or dragonflies
Gothic
Not all jewellery is bright and sunny. Contemporary Gothic jewellery is characterised by the dominance of black, with some purple. It is often cast in gold, sterling silver and pewter. Today’s trend of wearing Gothic jewellery takes inspiration in the Gothic architecture of the medieval ages.
Gothic architecture was often used in churches and cathedrals. It was marked by pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses. This is imitated by today’s jewellers. The spikes in necklaces and bracelets, for example, reflect the cathedrals’ pointed arches. While some view Gothic fashion to be dark, many wear it for its sense of mystique. Letters written in ancient languages and symbols lend a mysterious touch to Gothic jewellery.
Characteristics
When looking at various designs, it became clear that characteristic of gothic jewellery include:
· The use of dark, deep colours, for example reds, blacks and blues
· Iconic images for pendants etc include bats, crosses, dragons, pentagrams, elaborate swirls
