These punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
While jewelry trends tend to come and go, it’s safe to say that pearls have come back onto the scene in a modern way, in both men and women’s jewelry.
Several of today’s designers are pushing the creative boundaries of pearl jewelry, such as pairing the gem with unexpected colored gemstones.
Xander Jane, a new fine jewelry brand based in Vancouver, Canada, brings a bit of edge to the gemstone long known for its classic elegance and femininity with the “Spiked” pearl studs, one of the pieces in its inaugural “Spiked” collection.
Each stud features a single pearl with metal spikes drilled into it.
While a common intention for drilling into pearls is to string them into strands, designer Alexander Jane makes holes in which to place precisely positioned metallic spikes that the brand says brings the pearl’s “alter ego” to life.
Jane is inspired by his passion for music and of ‘90s punk culture, aiming to create modern, polished pieces that channel the raw energy of the aesthetic without the grit, or, as he puts it, “incorporating punk’s influence without imitating it.”
The Spiked pearl studs come in various combinations of 8mm black or golden South Sea pearls with 18-karat white, yellow, or rose gold spikes.
The earrings retail for $5,400 and are available on the Xander Jane website.
By Lauren McLemore at National Jeweler Magazine
