Concrete Jewelry : Take a Hard Look

"My design is an adventure. It happens when my vision, my materials and the unforeseen circumstances involved in hand work, collide."

The unexpected beauty and color of concrete caught Frances Smersh's imagination in 1998. The uniqueness of the material in the context of jewelry provides both a technical challenge and an intellectual discussion. It is lightweight, durable and textural. At the same time, it brings up the question of where value truly lies in an object of body adornment.

Each of Smersh's pieces is constructed of sterling silver bezels. Pigment is then added to a special polymer-based concrete. This is poured into each silver bezel. The concrete cures, dries and is then ground down and sealed with lacquer. --The Artful Home.

Pictured here are the Pearl Nest Earrings, made from 3-5mm freshwater pearls, sterling silver and colored concrete that is poured into a bezel, ground and then lacquered for strength. I found them at The Artful Home for $150.00.

These are the "Two Square Earrings" by Frances Smersh. I love geometric jewelry--if you've already seen that lens.

Earrings made from colored concrete of multiple pigments that is poured into a two-chamber bezel, ground and then lacquered for strength.

I found these gorgeous earrings at The Artful Home for $98.00.

The "Kate Bracelet" won the Niche Award for Fashion Jewelry in 2004.

Bracelet made from denim and gray colored concrete that is poured into sterling silver bezels, ground and then lacquered for strength. Double-strung on durable elastic cord and decorated with 4mm freshwater pearls.

I found this at YES, The Artful Home for $455.00.

Aren't these cool? They are "Boat Pendants" by Andrew Goss.

They're made of concrete, sterling, and metal leaf.

I spotted these at Lapai Gallery.

These are beautiful and quite interesting.

They're made, of course, of concrete and sterling silver.

These were also spotted at Lapai Gallery.