The term ‘Gothic’ appeared presumably in the 15th-17th century in the works of Italian Renaissance writers, who considered the cultural heritage of the previous era to be devoid of grace and even barbaric. They compared it to the cruel and brutal Goth tribes raging in Europe during the Roman Empire. They criticized the artistic style of their predecessors for excessive pretentiousness, embellishment for the sake of embellishment, and lack of proportion.
But what is this style really about?
The first evidence of the Gothic style dates back to the 11th century. Initially, it applied exclusively to the field of religious architecture. Cathedrals erected in the Medieval times (up until the 16th century) have many distinguishing features such as intricate details, pointed arches, stained glass windows, and soaring spires. Over time, these characteristic features began to appear in applied art, specifically in jewelry.
For instance, stained glass windows, which created colorful patterns of light inside the cathedrals, became inspirations for vibrant pieces of jewelry. Medieval jewelers used colorful materials, such as enamel, gemstones, pearls, and glass, to create a similar effect. For example, the Dunstable Swan Jewel, a brooch in the shape of a swan, was made of gold, enamel, and pearls, and had a cabochon ruby for the eyes. The go-to metal of that era was gold, and gems, due to the lack of modern cutting techniques, were mostly fashioned into cabochons (round, polished, and facete-less).
Upon inspection of any Medieval church, you will immediately notice an (over)abundance of details: pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, traceries, etc., all generously and lavishly decorated. Medieval Gothic jewelry carefully copies these forms and fuss through filigree, granulation, niello, cloisonné, repoussé, etc.
One of the most influential motifs in medieval Gothic architecture was the Christian faith. Unsurprisingly, early Gothic jewelry has gone the same path, often depicting religious scenes, saints, angels, and the crucifixion. As for specific symbols, crosses, rosaries, relics, and Holy Trinity, were ubiquitous during this era.
Although jewelry was common for that time and worn by men and women alike, it was mostly reserved for clergy and the nobility. Those with money and power used it to display their devotion and status. Besides the forms of jewelry widespread today (necklaces, brooches, rings, etc.), Medieval times offered pieces that combined decorative and utilitarian functions. These are buckles, badges, fibulae and later buttons, points for lace ends, hair pins, etc. Needless to say, all of them were embellished according to the best traditions of the era using precious metals, gems, enamel, pearls, etc.
With the advent of the Renaissance, Gothic was forgotten, but it did not sink into oblivion. Already in the 19th century, during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901), it experienced a revival that saw a renewed interest and appreciation for the Gothic style and its elements.
The major influences of the Victorian period were Romanticism, the Industrial Revolution, as well as the fascination with death and mourning. The queen herself became the fashion icon in the eyes of her subjects, especially after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Consort Albert, in 1861. From then until her death, the empress did not stop grieving, and her mourning outfit became a model for imitation and copying.
These gloomy sentiments found a reflection in jewelry. Colorful gems of the Medieval era gave way to onyx, jet, black diamonds and pearls, as well as dark enamel, silver with patina, and coral.
Hair woven into jewelry was also a highlight of that era. People crafted chains and bracelets from the hair of their loved ones or incorporated their locks into brooches and medallions. These decorations often served as memorials for the dead. Again, Queen Victoria wore a brooch with Prince Albert’s hair after his demise.
Following the themes of grieving and mourning, Victorian Gothic jewelry started offering motifs related to death, namely skulls, skeletons, coffins, bats, spiders, snakes, daggers, etc. They were especially common in Memento Mori jewelry. While many wanted to show their empathy for the late Prince and his grieving spouse, it was the way for others to commemorate their loved ones. Mourning Gothic rings became especially popular as tokens of remembrance and even romance, as they proved how strong love can be even in the face of death. Besides the gloomy images of death, such pieces depicted its somewhat romantic side with symbols such as angels, clouds, wings, loved ones’ initials, and many others.
It was mostly women who flaunted these body ornaments as a way of displaying their emotions, sentiments, and social status. Besides, they allowed women to express their newfound independence and freedom.
The late 1970s gave birth to a brooding subculture, which, although drew inspiration from Gothic literary genres of the 18th and 19th centuries, was something entirely new. Originating out of the post-punk music scene in the UK, it flourished on the themes of rebellion, individualism, and anti-establishment. Eventually, this subculture came to be known as Goth. With their dark, morose aesthetic as well as an interest in the afterlife and supernatural, Goths contrasted with the cheerful mainstream pop culture of that time.
The Gothic revival jewelry scene was heavily inspired by Victorian mourning jewelry. Black enameled silver, jet stones, and woven hair mementos carried somber symbolism in the late 1800s. Likewise, modern Goth jewelry employs color, texture, and imagery to capture the gloomy romanticism of the subculture. Features like intricate filigree and floral designs offer a bridge to the past while still maintaining an edge.
Mirroring the dark themes of Gothic literature, jewelry of this era overwhelmingly utilizes silver rather than gold. At the same time, you don’t have to stick to precious metals even though they offer a more luxe take. There are exciting pieces made of affordable materials: rubber, leather, plastics, stainless steel, etc. No matter which material you go with, the shapes of 20th-century Gothic are rather on the ominous side: bats, skulls, and coffins, as well as religious imagery such as crosses and rosaries.
Simultaneously, the modern Gothic aesthetic exhibits interest in the themes of the afterlife and occult sciences. Oftentimes, it turns to the legacy of ancient world cultures as long as their interest align. For example, it borrowed the Ankh symbol from ancient Egyptian mythology where it symbolized eternal life.
Pentagram, now strongly associated with the mystical and occult, was ubiquitous millennia ago, from Mesopotamia to Japan, and simply represented the five elements. Apart from symbols, pieces of Neo-Gothic jewelry fascinate with gems, which are deeply colored, favoring black, blood red, or purple hues.
Overall, the Goth community romanticizes death and embraces ominous imagery. Their distinctive look conveys belonging to the group that favors darkness over light. And this obsession with all things macabre continues even now, over forty years since its genesis.
Gothic aesthetic in the 21st century gets to balance avant-garde edginess with romantic vintage charm. While still being deemed as a counter-culture, it has stepped into the limelight and catwalks. Nowadays, every self-respecting fashion designer has, at some point, flirted with Gothic, even such powerhouses as Gucci, Gaultier, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Modern Gothic adornments as though liberate their wearers from societal constraints. Daring symbolic motifs, gleaming materials, and, of course, bold contrasts help to do so. Serpents, ravens, daggers, and blood-red gemstones evoke intensity. They are the artsy representations of forbidden temptations, primal passion, and playing with danger. At the same time, masterful metalwork and radiant crystals suggest latent power.
When it comes to contrasts, they have always been the key to Gothic’s allure. Light and dark elements, the symbols of life and death, precious gems glittering in blackened settings, gold rosaries swinging over torn fishnets – these and others are beautiful representations of the whole spectrum of human experience.
With these motifs and artistic techniques, every fashionista has a chance to define themselves as the source of life, love, and meaning. Gothic jewelry becomes a means of expressing independence and a lens focusing attention on one’s self-possession.
Having such a huge cultural background spanning across centuries and world cultures, Gothic didn’t stand a chance to end up homogeneous. Indeed, today it offers many variations, which not only complement but often contrast or even conflict with each other.
For example, Antiquity Gothic looks back at the styles of certain historical epochs (most often the Victorian era). At its core, it is a romantic style that gives preference to refined lines, opulence, and intricate details. Although modern, it has more in common with the fashion of the 19th century rather than the Gothic subculture. Antique Gothic jewelry is rather artistic than gloomy, with such dominating features as lace, filigree, gemstones, intricate metalwork, dainty details, etc.
This style is inherent to goths working in offices and forced to adhere to a dress code. More often than not, their jewelry is quite restrained, not exactly eye-catching in either shape or size. Decorative elements often consist of leather inserts, straps, rivets, as well as accessories made of silver or stainless steel. The ornaments are mostly geometric or floral, sometimes enhanced with enamel or inlay.
Connoisseurs of this style gravitate towards a modern primitive aesthetic. They use piercing (nose rings, pierced lips, nipples, etc.) and an abundance of body ornaments, oftentimes layered and stacked. Their jewelry tends to combine various materials (metal, rock, leather, bones, etc.), colors, and textures, often large forms and tribal patterns reminiscent of the works of art of primitive societies.
This is a cyberpunk aesthetic in the spirit of William Gibson. This style loves to flash “technogenic” twists in the form of wires, gears, as well as glowing or interactive elements. Overall, it has a lot in common with cyberpunk.
This branch of Gothic is known for its kitschy mix of styles and colors. Instead of being dark and gloomy, it chooses sparkle, glow, and fun. Imagine a pentagram studded with rhinestones - this is the perfect visualization of GlitterGoth.
This style is popular with Goths who are pagans and followers of Wicca. Wearing baggy clothes, complex designs, and fabrics of vibrant colors, these goths complement them with a multitude of different ornaments, amulets, charms, and so on. These ornamentations are often handmade, showing a connection with nature (through symbols such as, for example, the Tree of Life or pagan runes), and with a predominance of bold colors on a white or black background.
Jewelry in this style is for men, women, and everyone in between. Many pieces are rather feminine, yet you cannot definitely pinpoint, which sex they are intended to. For this reason, the androgynous style is rather minimalistic, with a bias towards geometric shapes. Such jewelry tends to feature adjustable elements to suit bodies of every shape and size.
Fetish Gothic gives preference to modern materials such as latex, vinyl, artificial leather (sometimes genuine leather), mesh, and shiny metals. Necklaces (mostly chokers) and bracelets (bangles) tightly snuggle the body while displaying spikes, studs, or chains. The color scheme is rather sparse and monotonous. All in all, it corresponds to the aesthetics of visitors to fetish clubs, just with a gothic flair.
This sub-style is nostalgic for the good old 1970s and 1980s, when the modern Gothic style just came onto the scene. Punk enthusiasts flaunt safety pins, leather, heavy chains, skulls, and spikes. However, what sets them apart from true punks is a more stylish and gloomy vibe, and, of course, symbols inherent to Gothic.
It is hard to trace a connection between Western and Gothic aesthetics, yet it exists. Just google Fields of the Nephilim and you will see what this style is all about. In short, this is a marriage of Western and Gothic flairs. Suspenders decorated with skulls, top hats with elaborate trim, leather bracelets and casually draped leather necklaces with round pendants. In general, this style benefits from a multitude of leather elements, mostly artificially aged, in brownish tones paying homage to the cowboy era.
Stylistically, this style is similar to the lofty and romantic Antiquity Goth. However, here vampire-like symbols run the show - bats, coffins, drops of blood, fangs, blood-filled eyes, and so on.
Gothic jewelry has been evolving through different historical periods and cultural influences. While reflecting the dark, mysterious, and sometimes macabre aspects of Gothic culture, it also serves as a means of personal expression. Whether you prefer the medieval, Victorian, late 20th century, or modern styles, there is a necklace, bracelet, or ring that ideally suits your personality.
]]>In Western Christianity, episcopal rings are worn by Bishops of both Anglican and Catholic faiths. In Catholicism, the Pope names Bishops and upon the awarding of the position, are granted an episcopal ring by the Cardinal. This ring has been inherited from the Bishop in the position prior, and is considered a great honour to demonstrate his position of power and trustworthiness by the Church. These rings are normally gold, chunky and heavy-set with gems or designs that may have meaning or significance within their local area, sect or parish. Once the Bishop has his first ring awarded to him by the Cardinal, he is free to obtain other rings; but all of this jewellery remains the property of the Church and will be inherited by new Bishops upon their passing. The first instance of Bishops being entitled with such rings dates back as far as 610AD. These rings are normally worn on the first, middle or little finger, with the fourth finger being left empty for other jewellery.
You no doubt will have seen clergyman or parishioners kiss the hand of a Holy Man in films or on tv, and the significance of this is the admittance of adoration and submission to the power with the ring presents; they are literally seen to be ‘kissing the power’.
Furthermore, a Bishop’s ring also signifies the conjugal fidelity that the clergymen hold for the Church. Whilst this isn’t normally applicable to Bikers, it does also represent the faith and loyalty that a Biker may hold for his or her own faction or gang.
Nowadays, of course, it’s unlikely that if you wear a Bishop’s ring you are, indeed, a Bishop. But these rings continue to hold personal significance for many, and the idea of an inherited ring through generations of family, friends or biker gangs has stuck. For example, as the patriarch of a certain family passes away, it is significant to pass on a Bishop’s ring to the man who will then take on this role within the family thereafter. If this isn’t a tradition within your family or circle of friends, why not start it? Bishop’s rings are also thoughtful gifts that can signify the assumption of a significant and positive role in the gift giver’s life.
The BikerRingShop range of Bishop’s rings is unrivalled and includes some beautiful gold pieces with amethyst settings and crosses engraved. Browse the range to find either a gift for yourself or someone else today!
]]>The history of Keith Richards skull ring originates in 1979 when the famous London jewelers David Courts and Bill Hackett worked on a silver sculpture of the human skeleton in miniature. Using a real skull as a sample, they carved a perfect replica. When the skull was completed, the jewelers were struck with an idea to create an identical ring. This is how they created an original silver ring in the form of a skull.
The jewelers were close friends of Keith Richards. When they soon received an invitation from a musician to a party on the occasion of his birthday, the jewelers did not doubt that the silver ring would be a wonderful gift.
On December 18, 1979, Keith Richards turned thirty-six. The musician enjoyed the gift of David Courts and Bill Hackett very much. He immediately put the silver skull ring on at the party and after that, his look could not be imagined without this accessory.
That New York party of 1979 was marked by the other event that affected the life of the musician. Keith Richards met his future wife there. It was a twenty-two-year-old model named Patty Hanson, a bright blooming blonde with beautiful eyes and a lovely smile.
The couple married exactly 4 years later, on December 18, 1983. They have 2 daughters and still remain happy even after 35 years of marriage.
Perhaps, the ring contributed to this happiness. It has long been known that many bikers use skull jewelry as some kind of guard against dangers and adversities. Musicians, of course, do not put their lives at the same risk as people who ride steel horses, but their life is full of temptations and adventures of a different kind. Many individuals did not believe that Keith Richards would live to be 40 years old given his turbulent lifestyle. Nevertheless, the rocker is already over 70 and he is still not going to retire.
For the musician, the skull ring became more than just a bodacious ornament. As the great rocker believes, it symbolizes the inner beauty of a person that prevails over appearance. Here's what Keith Richards himself says about it:
“The skull – it has nothing to do with bravado and surface bullshit. Beauty is skin-deep. This is what we are all like under the flesh, brother. Take off the hair, pull off the skin, you’re looking at the I and I”
What made the ring even more mysterious is the fact that the jewelers decided to make it only in one copy. The original ring is made of solid 925 silver. It has a genuine quality guarantee stamp of Courts and Hackett, the date, materials used, and the country of origin.
Despite the fact that the jewelers refused to produce duplicates, you can still adorn your image with this cultic accessory. Here, at Bikerringshop, we treat the work of Courts and Hackett with great respect, and as a tribute, we created our version of the Keith Richard ring. When implementing our ideas, we adhered to the proportions of the original in order to preserve its look and the spirit of rock'n'roll.
]]>But what if you have your own style? If you're tired of cookie-cutter solutions and you want something different and unique? Why not try a biker wallet?
This is a men's leather wallet with a timeless tri-fold or double fold design. It has several slots for bills, pockets for business and credit cards, as well as a pocket for change with a zipper or snap. Such a wallet usually has a grommet to attach a chain. The other end of a chain is fastened to a belt with a spring hook or leather fastener (depending on a model). A wallet’s form factor allows fitting medium-sized bills, which means that no matter what country you are from, this accessory can easily accommodate your currency.
Let’s first figure out why they are called biker. In fact, not only will they suit bikers but also those who have an individual style and want to emphasize it. Usually, such wallets bear images (often called tattoos) of skulls, crosses, totem animals, etc, - motifs popular among bikers and related subcultures. Therefore, such products can also be called rocker and cowboy wallets.
Different techniques can be used to apply artwork - pyrography (burning), carving, embossing, etc. Also, a wallet can be decorated with silver or stainless steel rivets, fasteners, buckles, as well as appliqués and embroidery.
Biker wallets are made very durable to maintain an attractive appearance for as long as possible. For this, high-quality leather is used, and not just the regular cow or lamb leather but often it is exotic animals skins - crocodile, snake, stingray, and others. Such leather is durable and also has a natural pattern.
To make a walled please its owner for many years to come, the leather is processed in several stages. Usually, at first, it is an impregnation with chemicals that prevent cracking and give the material elasticity. Next, is a color application. After dying a wallet may be covered with varnish to protect the dye from abrasion. Also, varnish protects a wallet from moisture.
Most biker wallets are handmade. At least, you can be sure that all the men's wallets by the Biker Ring Shop are handcrafted by the best craftsmen. This allows controlling quality at each stage of production. Moreover, such hand-made products are unique in their own way. You are unlikely to find an owner of an absolutely identical item.
A genuine leather biker wallet is a practical and stylish thing. Such a wallet:
Now you have a recipe of how to bring a zest to the everyday look. Feel free to experiment with your style and search for new solutions. And Biker Ring Shop will always be there for you!
]]>Rings- beautiful rings made with authentic 925 silver. This brings us to the spinner ring- as the name suggests a ring that spins.it is two component piece of silver. The silver spinning ring is one that looks good on both male and female alike. The silver spinning rings have characteristics, unlike other wedding bands, it spins.
The spinner ring also called the worry or meditation ring and is said to have magical powers and originates from the ancient Tibetan Mandalay prayer wheel of the Buddhist culture where it is believed that a spinning object brings calmness and peace to the mind and body, brings good luck and enhances of one’s life. The silver spinning ring is believed to originate from that philosophy that it brings calmness to anxiety sufferers. Silver has been known as a metal that brings calmness to ones being, and in conjunction with the prayer culture of the Tibetan people, a silver spinning ring does more.
The ring is made with an inner band which sits on the finger with a ring round it that spins when touched. The idea that it soothes anxiety patient comes from the fact that anxiety patients or victim are known to always fidget so by touching or spinning the ring reduces the fidgeting nature and calms the patient down. To be clear, the spinning ring is not a cure for anxiety but something to fiddle with when you are restless.
Okay, aside from the superstitious and spiritual aspects of these rings, a silver 925 spinning ring is an attractive piece of jewelry that can be used to mark the different occasions of life. Silver is becoming the obvious choice for engage and married couples. They are also the perfect gifts for all ages because of the durable quality of silver 925. These rings can be adorned with gold or precious stones such as diamond and gemstones which enhances the beauty of these silver rings.
Aside from the facts that they are stylish and loved by all class, the silver does have a certain quality that makes it so endearing to all and especially the lover of metallic object and ornament. Throughout the century, silver is known to have superb antimicrobial properties. Yes, you heard right. Silver, pure silver has the ability in preventing cold and flu, heals wounds faster and can regulate body heat and improve blood circulation. Silver is also known to balance moods and acts as an earthen during electrical disturbances.
Silver is known to prevent us from toxic areas as silver changes color in toxin environment and help us sleep better as it regulates radioactive rays that travel about during the day and night. Silver also helps in elevating pains caused by arthritis.
Whether you believe in the proven or unproven benefit of silver, you cannot deny the fact that silver pieces are unique pieces that are attractive and beautifully designed to fit any outfit and a must piece that should be in our accessory jewelry box.
The silver spinning ring is mostly used as wedding bands; they are so unique that they are not found in every jewelry store. The classical style of wedding bands is not available in silver spinner rings.
Some tips to get the best silver spinner rings are:
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If you are looking for a luxury item that just screams “I’m rich” then you should definitely get an alligator leather accessory. Alligator skin is one of the most durable and expensive materials. On the other hand, a product made of this leather will remain usable (and attractive!) for over 50 years (of course, if you treat it right). This proves the statement that high-status items are a great investment. The main thing is to pick exactly reptile skin instead of, let’s say, buffalo leather masterfully disguised as an alligator.
Ancient Egyptians believed that if a person put on reptile skin, he would become strong, rich, and happy. Today, it is still prestigious to have an accessory made of crocodile or alligator leather, be it a bag, belt, or shoes. While reptile leather clothing can cost thousands of dollars and is affordable only for very wealthy people, you won’t have to break a bank to buy an alligator wallet. In this post, we will explain why crocodile and alligator skin is so expensive, how to distinguish crocodile skin from other reptiles, what its benefits are, and how to match an alligator wallet with other wardrobe items. So let's go!
Endangered species of alligators and crocodiles are at risk of extinction. That’s why reptiles for industrial needs are grown in artificial conditions. However, it is more like a forced measure aimed at preserving the population of wild reptiles rather than the desire to reduce the cost of production. The skin obtained from crocodile farms is very expensive due to the high net cost. Crocodiles require a huge territory for a living. The reluctance to actively reproduce in captivity is another factor that massively affects the final price. At the same time, crocodiles live at such farms for 4 - 7 years before they can be used, and during this whole time they must be fed and accommodated.
In addition to investing in the farms’ maintenance and breeding, the process of treating crocodile skins also adds a lot to the cost of a product. Crocodile leather manufacture doesn’t envisage automated production. Only manual labor is acceptable and the whole process is considered to be quite complex and multistage. The entire cycle of processing, tanning, and dying takes three long months. There is a joke among craftsmen that a dead crocodile is even more intimidating than a living one, because if you make a mistake during the process of cutting or tanning, the skin will be hopelessly spoiled, and a huge amount of money is lost. Just imagine how much such leather actually costs … Unlike other types of leather, which price is calculated per pound or foot, crocodile leather is sold per inch.
The cost of crocodile breeding and expenses associated with skin processing are not the only costs that make up an expensive price for reptile leather products. The sky-high price is also explained due to the limited number of import licenses and high customs duties on exotic materials.
With that being said, a hefty price tag is compensated by a very rare combination of flexibility, beauty of texture, and unprecedented durability.
When manufacturing crocodile wallets, we do not use automated production. Each product is crafted by hand. Our approach is explained due to the fact that every piece of leather has a unique individual scale pattern. To preserve and enhance these patterns, our artisans are required to have excellent skills, attention, and creative thinking.
The leather cut is a very important stage because it affects the image of the future wallet. The pattern of a selected piece of leather prompts the design and layout of a product. To produce large wallets, we use a single piece of leather rather than stitching small pieces together. Moreover, we utilize the most beautiful pieces for the front part of a wallet. It makes our products more sophisticated and elegant.
To become an artisan crafting alligator skin wallets, a person is required at least five years of experience in this field. This art is mastered by only a few people because there is no school where this craft is taught. The only real school is going all the way up the professional ladder to gain knowledge, experience, and confidence to handle reptile skin.
Not so long ago, crocodile and alligator skin products featured only three colors: black, brown, and beige. Such a scarcity of choice was due to the fact that manufacturers didn’t want to risk and experiment with bold colors. Today, however, we offer a wide range of colors including muted, mellow shades as well as daring and exclusive hues. Bikerringshop always goes the extra mile to meet our clients’ needs to the fullest.
Our collection includes an immense selection of women’s and men’s crocodile wallets. The stylish yet timeless appearance, durable materials, and flawless craftsmanship will ensure your wallet will serve you for at least 20 years.
Crocodile and alligator leather has different properties depending on which part of a hide it was taken from. Reptile leather is thin, smooth, and delicate in some places while at the same time it is thick, rough, and dotted with many horny growths in other areas.
Cervical and abdominal parts. The skin from these areas is considered to be the most beautiful and valuable. The main benefits of the cervical and abdominal skin are smoothness, uniform thickness, and the absence of osteoderms. However, the skin from these areas is forged most often, sometimes with such precision that it is difficult to distinguish a fake from the original.
The head and tail area have pronounced horny growths, osteoderms, which form the rigid shell of the animal. Osteoderms make leather thick and rough. For this reason, these parts of reptiles are rarely used to craft accessories and clothing.
Lateral area. The lateral skin is seen the most commonly seen in reptile leather goods due to lower prices compared to delicate abdominal skin. This skin is very attractive although it features less uniform and regular scales. It is also thicker and rougher than abdominal leather because of osteoderms.
The dorsal (backbone) part of large crocodiles is rarely used in the production of wallets and other accessories. It is the most rigid and thick part of crocodile’s leather which can only be utilized as a decorative element in the composition with other parts of crocodile skin. However, manufacturers often deploy the dorsal skin of young reptiles, which has a very rich and textured appearance as well as excellent durability.
People often confuse reptile skins and simply call them all crocodile leather. Such confusion is due to cultural differences. Americans, for example, often call crocodile skin alligator, while Europeans tend to call alligator skin crocodile. Therefore, price tags may include confusing information when crocodile leather is referred to as alligator leather and vice versa (although, the latter doesn’t happen often because alligator leather is pricier). Sometimes it is difficult to tell alligator leather from alligator or caiman leather. Their skins are very similar to each other so inexperienced buyers don’t really understand the difference. To become a reptile skin expert, a person needs 5-7 years of practical experience with various types of skin. You will not become a professional after reading this post but it will help you learn some tricks to differentiate real alligator skin from analogs.
Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to identify leather of a ready-made product. It is because we can only see a shred of leather and have no chance to take a look at the whole picture. However, if you buy a custom-made product, you should always ask a seller to show you a hide. Crocodiles have a shorter and wider body while alligators are more lean and elongated. Thus, the central (belly) part of a crocodile’s hide will be more square than that of an alligator.
If you come across a product made of hornback leather (the area between the head and back), you can easily determine what kind of reptile species has been used. So, look carefully at the leather. You will see several horns. Each reptile has a unique pattern of scales (they are like fingerprints) but the combination of horns always remains the same. Crocodiles have a row of 4 bumps under which 2 more bumps are located, i.e. each crocodile hornback cut will have a 4-2 pattern. If you see 2 (sometimes 3) rows with 2 horns each, then this is alligator skin (2-2-2). Caiman skin features a 4-4-2 design.
If you are considering a product made of skin from other parts of a reptile’s body, you will have to rely on your eyes and tactile sensations. If you see something like a cobweb or an elongated star pattern, you should know that this is an umbilical scar. Alligators are the only species that have it. Designers always put the umbilical scar in the most prominent place of a product since it is ironclad proof of alligator skin. Also, look closely at the scales pattern - alligator scales are distributed less evenly than those of crocodiles. Every now and then, their skin has "rhythmic failures" characterized by irregular scales.
The abdominal part of reptiles features larger rectangular scales that decrease in size and round out along the flank. The pattern of crocodile skin has a smooth transition which means the size of the scales decreases gradually. Alligator skin, on the contrary, features a more sudden transition - rectangular scales abruptly give way to small and rounded ones.
When holding a product crafted of reptile skin, look carefully at the surface of the material. You may find a small hole inside a scale. This pore is the hallmark of crocodile skin. Crocodiles have small sensitive hairs through which they perceive the world around them. During the tanning process, these hairs are removed and the tiny pores are formed in their place. Alligator and caiman leather will not have such holes. However, if you have not found any pores on the alleged crocodile skin, this is not a reason to consider it a fake. Some manufacturers seal these holes on purpose.
Both crocodile and alligator skins are soft and pliable. If a product you hold in your hands has a rough, tough, and coarse surface, then it is made of caiman leather. It can also be identified by folding - a large number of small cracks will appear along the fold. Such properties are due to the fact that all segments of caiman skin feature a hard osteoderm growth. Only the abdominal part of adult caimans is used to craft leather goods since it is less thick and rough. Manufacturers often utilize skins of young animals that are not yet rough and cracking.
When buying reptile skin products, you also have to keep in mind the geography of reptile breeding. Crocodiles are grown in the countries of Southeast Asia, so it comes as no surprise that you can find many crocodile wallet manufacturers based, for example, in Thailand. Alligators, on the other hand, are bred only in America at special alligator farms. Therefore, if you are offered an alligator wallet from a manufacturer from Asia, it is likely to be a fake.
It is important to know the difference between various members of the crocodile family since the quality and durability, as well as the aesthetic aspect of their leather, varies significantly. Alligator and crocodile leather is considered to be a premium material. Being properly processed, they feature supreme quality, outstanding durability, and a hefty price tag. Caiman leather is of inferior quality and it costs significantly less than its counterparts. Caiman leather products occupy their own niche in the market, but they are often confused with crocodile leather products. Some unscrupulous sellers try to pass caiman leather for crocodile or alligator leather and sell them at a very high price.
Crocodile and alligator leather is several times more expensive than fine cowhide. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that it is often imitated. The most valuable and most commonly forged type of reptile skin is the abdominal part. There are several reasons why unscrupulous sellers try to pass counterfeit materials for abdominal reptile leather. This leather is very expensive so the fake is the most beneficial. Abdominal leather has no (or rare) horny growths, osteoderms, thanks to which its thickness doesn’t vary as much as at the other areas. Sometimes it is very difficult to identify skillful imitations but it is possible.
To distinguish real exotic skin from cheap imitations, you need to remember that the body, tail, and limbs of crocodiles are covered with large horn plates. Dorsal plates carry longitudinal ridges. The inner layer of the skin develops bone growths, osteoderms, that are located under the plates, and in some species, on the belly as well. These growths can be found only in real crocodile skin.
Due to osteoderms, reptile skin has a more dense structure and, as a rule, it cannot be dyed as deeply as other leathers. Look the color uniformity and evenness. If you see an absolutely uniform dying (unless you are looking at the abdominal leather that has a more homogenous coloration), it is a reason to be suspicious.
The shape of textured scales of reptile skin is always different. The same as there can’t be two identical fingerprints, you won’t be able to find to find two exactly the same scales. Fake alligator leather, on the contrary, features repeated patterns.
The thickness of natural crocodile and alligator leather cannot be the same across the board. The embossed leather, on the other hand, has a uniform thickness over the entire area.
When it comes to a crocodile, you should remember that it is a huge predatory reptile about one and a half meters long and 40 kg in weight. All its life it lived with other cold-blooded killers in a closed enclosure. The jaws of a crocodile are very strong and they are able to break a baseball bat in half. These circumstances certainly affect the appearance of reptile skin. Genuine crocodile skin will always have scars, damages, and irregularities, which won’t be present in fake leather.
A product made of real crocodile or alligator leather, unless it is made from pieces, cannot be cheap. You should understand that reptile leather requires much more work and time than cowhide. The manufacture of crocodile and alligator wallets involves higher responsibility, more complicated technology, and most of the work is done manually.
There are many crocodile farms in the countries of Southeast Asia and Africa. To do their business, they must obtain a permit by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Only this license gives the right to export products. Most farms carry out sustainable production so besides manufacturing hides, they also produce by-products (meat, claws, teeth, stuffed animals, etc).
Our products are sold according to b the strict criteria and rules established by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Animals and Plants (CITES), which was signed in 1973 in Washington. It regulates trade in endangered species, including crocodile and alligator leather.
Every manufacturer must comply with these rules, the purpose of which is to protect endangered species of animals. Unfortunately, a black market teems with goods produced and exported without any license at all. As a buyer, you may be tempted to purchase an attractively-priced crocodile leather product but you should remember that its production entails the risk of crocodile extinction. When buying from Bikerringshop, you support responsible production and high manufacturing standards.
Buying exotic leather products and leaving them to gather dust in the closet is a crime … a crime against fashion. However, before you start putting on everything you’ve got, you should understand how to create a harmonious image using accessories made from alligator leather. Here are a few tips:
Crocodile leather products are considered to be commendable and luxurious. Reptile skin gives an item a one of a kind look. It has always been prestigious to own a crocodile or alligator wallet, which certainly affects the image of an owner. Bikerringshop guarantees that top-notch quality and durability of our products will make the purchase desirable and enjoyable.
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But certain celebrities always seem to be on-trend and totally nailing the latest looks, and we’ve put together this roundup of the seven best-dressed male celebrities this month to give you a little inspiration for your wardrobe. We’ve eschewed the outrageous and gone for looks that are both practical and stylish, and that you can recreate with ease. So, without further ado, let’s jump in.
Jeff Goldblum
An actor known for his idiosyncratic approach to his film career – he might be in a blockbuster, he might be in a Wes Anderson film, you never know – Goldblum also has a keen sense of fashion. And he brings the same playfulness and irreverent air of his general personality to how he dresses.
Rocking up at the Venice Film Festival at the tail end of August, Goldblum was toting a now ubiquitous trend – the wild print shirt – and mixing it up with his own inimitable style. Sporting a deep tan Prada two-piece suit with a tapered waist and pseudo-fitted trousers, Goldblum tied the whole thing together with matching black brogues and retro, thick-framed glasses. And, importantly, he added a little shine with a chunky silver ring. It’s a stylish, casual look pulled off to perfection.
Alessandro Borghi
Also in attendance at the Venice Film Festival, and rocking an equally great look was Italian actor Alessandro Borghi.
What makes Borghi’s style stand out this month is that he found a perfect middle ground between casual and formal, without erring too far in either direction. On top, Borghi looks the business, with a deep charcoal, double-breasted jacket, buttoned to accentuate the tailored look and add some definition to his top half. On the bottom, Borghi matched the same deep-tone charcoal trousers with black loaders – with no socks, for that laid-back Mediterranean style.
And Borghi does a great job tying the whole look together with a couple of oversized silver rings and some nineties circular, colored sunglasses.
Tom Cruise
Cruise isn’t always known for his out-of-this-world fashion, but he always does an impeccable job of presenting himself as an elder statesman of Hollywood.
What this meant at the Beijing Premiere of the latest Mission Impossible movie was a full-on black ensemble with no added accoutrements. Wearing a perfectly tailored, just off-black Dior for Men suit, Cruise is at the point where he doesn’t need to dress to impress – he simply carries an understated, classic style that speaks to maturity and self-assuredness. He matched the suit with a slightly darker-toned black shirt and laced up brogues, making for a very elegant and classical movie start look.
Damien Lewis
Spotted at the U.S Open, Damien Lewis put on a masterclass of how to carry off a look that’s both casual, comfortable and thoroughly on-trend.
Lewis’s look this month is all about being casual but still having enough of a look together to show that he’s made an effort. He teamed light-grey chinos – fitted but not overly tight – with a black belt carrying a simple gold buckle. The real eye-catcher was the floral print shirt, making use of on-trend dull natural green with an almost-too-busy-but-not-quite white flower and stem pattern. And Lewis did a fantastic job offsetting the shirt centerpiece with some classic square Ray-Ban sunglasses.
John Cho
Appearing at the premiere of his latest movie ‘Searching’, Jon Cho pulled out all the stops – in an understated way – for his red-carpet wear.
Cho rocked up to the premier sporting a rich blue Ermenegildo Zegna suit, with the color somewhere between royal blue and a slightly lighter tone. With a double-button, double-breasted design, the suit matched Cho’s slender physique to perfection, enabling him to draw the jacket tighter and accentuate his shoulders and waist – without ever looking restricted. The plunging lapel and dulled, steel-look buttons of the jacket provided great shape and broke up an outfit that could otherwise have fallen foul of carrying too much of one color.
Down low, Cho styled a pair of monk-strap, dark brown shoes for the perfect compliment to the blue hues of his suit and the plain black shirt beneath.
Rami Malek
Not content with just appearing in one of the best TV shows of recent years – ‘Mr. Robot’ – or playing the role of Freddie Mercury in the upcoming biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, Rami Malek was also sporting a so-cool-it-hurts look at the premiere for another project – ‘Papillion’.
Malek was sporting a complicated, multi-layered silk shirt that, if he didn’t know what he was doing, could easily pull all the focus. But Malek worked the silk shirt expertly with a sheer black Berluti suit, making the combination seem like the most natural thing in the world. Because Malek errs toward a slimmer build, the suit jacket featured a perfect shoulder fit and a slight inward taper at the waist, helping the actor fill out the suit very nicely indeed.
Beyond that, and again helping with Malek’s diminutive physique, were black, lace up formal boots. It’s a great look and a perfect example of using uniform colors to offset bolder elements.
Bradley Cooper
Sometimes all you need to do to look great is rely on the classics, and that’s exactly what Bradley Cooper did at the Venice premiere of ‘A Star is Born’.
It’s evident Cooper has taken some pages out of the classic Hollywood style playbook, totally killing a deep blue tuxedo. With darker lapels, the tux look is one that definitely suits Cooper, the style meshing perfectly with his leading man looks. Featuring a white shirt with black buttons and a plain, black bowtie, Cooper’s outfit does a great job of delineating the different features of the wear while also feeling unified and expertly put together.
It’s only in the footwear department that Cooper went a little off-book, but he nailed it here as well. Two-tone suede and patent leather add a great contrast to the deep blue tux but somehow feel right at home.
Tags: best dressed, celebrities, this month, Tom Cruise, Bradley Cooper, John Cho, Damien Lewis, Jeff Goldblum, Rami Malek, fashion, jewelry, ring, 2018
]]>Chopper
All those of you who’ve watched the cult “Easy Rider” are perfectly aware of this style. The basic principles of such motorcycles are boldness and the lack of non-functional parts. That is why many choppers don’t have "useless" details such as, for instance, instruments, fenders or an extra seat. The main features of the "Captain America" style are a long fork with an unthinkable rake angle, a modest tank placed on the "flimsy frame", ape-hangers, and so on. In such a machine, an engine should be open at maximum and the number of non-chrome parts ought to be minimal. In fact, everything that could be chromed must be chromed! Not for nothing do bikers enjoy the metal sheen. This passion is also reflected in the popularity of
A distinctive feature of all Custom Cruisers is power. They flex muscles in all possible ways – they feature impressive fuel tanks, front forks with a frame thick as an arm, silencers resembling steam locomotives blastpipes, etc. However, the main trump card of most custom cruisers is an engine. It must be large and super powerful. In the United States, customizers often use car engines, for example, from the Chevrolet Corvette. Cruise Chopper Such customized motorcycles are sort of an intermediate link between pureblood choppers and cruisers. They took an abundance of chrome and minimalistic gearing from the former and comfortable sitting and a powerful appearance from the latter. Such motorcycles rarely have massive fenders. Also, they don’t feature an enlarged front wheel characteristic of cruisers; however, the rear one might have a fantastic size. A chromed engine, most often it is V-Twin from S&S or Rev-Tech, is deliberately put on display. Even though it can’t boast power and torque in comparison with some cruiser engines, but it seamlessly fits into the space of the frame. Motorcycles of this style are built, as a rule, with the geometry that creates an attractive appearance for a bike and also allows enjoying both leisurely driving and riding on highways. Thus, these vehicles have the maximum comfort and harmony of appearance, which makes them currently the most popular among custom-made motorcycles.
Inside the Red Line
The name of the company occurred thanks to Arthur Davidson’s aunt, Jane Davidson, who wrote the Harley-Davidson Motor Company on the doors of a small shed where friends assembled motorcycles. She highlighted the name in red. Later, the shed was moved to the territory of the Harley-Davidson plant in Milwaukee. It had been a place of attraction for the brand’s fans from around the world until in the mid-1970s the shed was mistakenly demolished by a contractor hired to reorganize the plant.
Pedal to the metal
The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle was equipped with an engine of about 2 horsepower. It could not climb the hills around Milwaukee (the production was there) without pedaling.
With a squeal
In the 1920s, a pig was a mascot of the Harley-Davidson racing team. A pilot who achieved victory had to ride the circle of honor holding a squealing pig in his hands. For this reason, the team was nicknamed Harley Hogs. The abbreviation H.O.G. is used even today but now it stands for Harley Owners Group.
In military service
In 1917, the US military fought against Mexican revolutionaries with the help of Harley-Davidson sidecar motorcycles. They were used to mount machine guns.
Golf Car
From 1962 to 1982, Harley-Davidson produced three- and four-wheel golf cars. They were powered by electricity or gas.
241 500 euros
In February 2014, Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide was sold at the Bonhams auction in England for 241 500 euros. The bike belonged to the Pope Francis. Also, his biker jacket went under the hammer for 57,500 euros. The tank of the motorcycle featured the inscription Francesco. It was presented to the pontiff a year earlier, during the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the brand.
The second skin
Not only are motorcycles the trademark of Harley-Davidson but also one more symbol of the era, a black leather jacket. This piece of clothing, along with men's biker jewelry, became an unofficial uniform of bike riders and rockers.
The fat boy
The most popular Harley-Davidson motorcycle featured in the Hollywood movies is the Fat Boy. According to a legend, this name is a combination of the names of two atomic bombs, Fat Man and Little Boy, which were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Electric motorcycle
In 2014, Harley-Davidson decided to create an electric motorcycle LiveWire. However, it hasn’t hit the retail market yet, at least not until 2019. So far, the prototype has been tested on the main American motorcycle routes.
6 Years for a Patent
For six years Harley-Davidson Motor Company had tried to patent the sound of its engines as a trademark. Since 1994, the company had been working to make this idea come true, but eventually, it gave up and did not become the second business (after Zippo) to register a sound as a trademark.
]]>Online stores weren’t quite as popular a few years ago, which meant shopping was quite tedious, even though it was still special walking into a store and taking in the glitter of the rings and chains or the rich, earthly smell of leather.
But the jewellery industry, just like many industries around the world, hasn’t been spared by the disruption brought about by technology, and more specifically, artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
These two tech trends have been disrupting industries for a while now, helping to open up a bold new world for shoppers in the process.
Here are a few ways that AI and AR are poised to change your jewellery shopping experience.
Artificial intelligence for everyday shoppers
Until about a decade ago, AI used to be the kind of thing we only saw in fictional movies or novels. But in recent years, it’s become more common to bump into an element of AI when shopping, and surprisingly enough, most of us don’t even know we’re using AI. One survey, for instance, found that 33 percent of users thought they were using AI when in actual sense 77 percent of them were using the technology.
One of those areas you might bump into AI is when buying anything with a diamond, like a diamond skull bracelet or even an engagement ring. The first AI-driven diamond grading standards were established in 2016, and earlier this year, the first AI-powered grading lab was opened to help guarantee the quality of the diamonds you’re receiving.
AI has also been huge for shipping and logistics, and is part of the reason why many consumers enjoy free or low shipping costs. To help reduce shipping and handling costs, which may cost online retailers up to 70 percent of the total operating expenses, retailers are using AI to plot shorter – thus quicker – delivery routes, with some of those cost savings passed on to you as free or low-cost shipping.
Augmented reality will let you try your ring at home
Much like AI, augmented reality has been more of science fiction than reality over the past decade. But as hardware improvements continue to make the technology better, more AR-powered solutions are starting to find their way into the consumer market, with the jewellery market poised to experience its share of disruption.
Take for instance Holojem, an AR platform designed to let consumers shop for jewellery from the comfort of their homes. Once you find a jewellery store that uses this platform, you can select from custom designs on the merchant’s site and try them virtually via the platform’s patented rendering system, which is pretty cool.
Another platform, an app for iOS called Dangle, uses elements of AI and VR to help customers find and try earrings without physically going into a jewellery store. The technology uses AR to map the relative position of the ears, allowing the app to place the virtual earrings on your ears and give you the sense that you’re looking at a mirror.
And even though the technology isn’t quite where it’s supposed to be yet, there’s every indication that you’ll soon be using AI and AR to shop, all within the comfort of your home. The biggest experiences so far are offered via more expensive equipment like the Hololens from Microsoft, which paints a picture of an industry that’s prime for disruption.]]>Today a buckle can be bought as a bundle with a belt and separately. There are many eye-catching and exclusive models of buckles, which will be appreciated by fashionistas and style gurus. Such a buckle is guaranteed to add a touch of uniqueness and originality to your image. Through an item with a one of a kind design, you can express your individuality and personal style, belonging to a particular profession or subculture, etc.
If you prefer a classy style, then a simple buckle with a regular shape and without excessive details is a must. In this case, minimalism will be just right.
If you want to change buckles to your belt depending on the occasion or your mood, you need to select a belt with a detachable buckle. Otherwise, you will not be able to switch a buckle.
Buckles can be made from a variety of materials. A price of a buckle largely depends on this material and its quality. Here are the most common materials: steel; brass; copper; plastic; liquid glass; bronze; silver; gold.
There is no clear advice on how to pick a buckle depending on the material. Everything is up to you and your taste, style, and how much you are willing to pay for it. Belt buckles made of precious metals are much rarer. They are decorated with stones or a complex elegant pattern. Usually, they are bought by connoisseurs of jewelry art or as an exclusive gift.
Depending on motifs depicted on men’s buckles, they can be divided into the following categories:
A buckle for biker – featuring images of Valhalla, pentagrams, motorcycles;
skulls - all kinds of skull images (including skulls with stars, pentagrams, roses, etc.);
ethnic - with Indian chiefs, Chinese dragons, various ancient symbols;
auto - with all kinds of car models, logos of famous brands;
Celtics - featuring Celtic symbols and patterns (for example, with the image of Thor's hammer, the Celtic cross);
music - related to rock and roll, guitars, drum sets, country music, famous bands and musicians;
animals – including images of bats, octopuses, wolves, bulldogs, lions, horses, snakes and others;
weapons - with brass knuckles, liners, knight heads, pistols, revolvers, handcuffs;
flags – all sorts of images with flags of different countries or local symbols;
Western - with a buffalo skull, badger, inlaid with turquoise or onyx.
The most widespread buckle is so-called frame buckle. This item has a simple square frame with a prong attached to one end of the frame. The size of the belt is fixed by threading the prong into the hole on the belt. A variation of this type is O-style or D-style buckle that features a more rounded frame.
A clasp of a Plate belt buckle features 3 hooks, 2 of which are located on one end of a belt, and the third one is on the opposite side.
A belt with a snap buckle is attached to the buckle on one end while the other end is put through a catch that secures it and allows adjusting. A belt with such a bucket doesn’t require holes.
One more buckle that doesn’t use holes for adjusting is a webbing buckle. Such an item features a loop through which you put the tip of a belt and pull it.
If you are looking for a removable belt buckle made of silver, Bikerringshop is here to help. Here you will find a large selection of knockout biker buckles with popular motifs including skulls, crosses, motorcycles, etc.
]]>This accessory first emerged along with the biker subculture in the 1950s, created as a pragmatic means for motorcyclists to keep their wallets intact while they were testing the torque limits of their motorcycles. It would be devastating for a biker to find out that he had lost his wallet in one of the bars of Tijuana, after riding 230 miles along the highway. With a biker chain, motorcycle riders didn't have to worry they their billfold may disappear.
A few decades later, wallets with chains became a popular attribute of the pioneers of the 70s punk. Not only did they use chains as a means to prevent pocket theft in dens where they hang out, but also as a fashion accessory.
The appeal of rocker wallets with their unique patterns, not to mention the hellish jingling sound that chains produce when walking, was a reason why these accessories were eventually adopted by a number of heavy music subcultures. Thus, along with leather pants and distressed jeans, they became a necessary attribute for Goths and rivet heads.
When grunge started gaining popularity in the 1990s, the chains have not lost their relevance. Just instead of going together with deliberately tight leather pants and skinny jeans, they now complemented the ensemble of wide pants and a negligently donned oversized t-shirt. In this way, the chains were sported by the cult Kurt Cobain or Lane Staley.
In the hip-hop industry, jewelry is one of the most distinctive characteristics among performers. Given the rappers' penchant for wearing tons of jewelry on the upper body, it was only a matter of time before they started putting on chains below their waist.
At the moment, street fashion is going through a phase of "rock 'n' roll". Tattered-up jeans, band t-shirts, and biker jackets have been recently dominating the selection of clothing. Together with rock style outfits, the corresponding accessories to match have been experiencing revival. Youth fashion brands ranging from Darkdrom to Homme Boy all offer chains in their collections.
While wallet chains have just begun gaining attention in America and Europe, in Japan, they are at the peak of popularity. Many local brands, as well as some American labels, sell this fashion accessory as hot cakes. Today, when the influence of Asian trends in fashion is stronger than ever, it comes as no surprise that wallet chains have been making a comeback and return to everyday fashion.
If you are looking for a wallet chain to complement your look, here at Bikerringshop we have a lot to offer. Our product range is dripping with awesome metal and silver accessories that will make you look tougher and cooler.
]]>Silver alloys easily react with hydrogen sulfide, especially in a humid environment, which results in the occurrence of a black oxide film on the surface. Since hydrogen sulfide is one of the components of the air and the human body, silver inevitably tarnishes with time. Therefore, silver items require periodic cleaning.
If silver jewelry turns black very quickly, for example overnight, then your body has negative sulfur compounds that oxidize the alloy. It is believed that silver is sort of human health indicator. The longer it does not tarnish, the healthier a person is. However, silver darkens even if it is not worn. Tarnishing is quite a natural effect and it depends on the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the air.
If your favorite silver biker jewelry has lost its attractive look, here is a simple yet effective way of how to return brilliance and beauty.
A particular cleaning method depends on the depth of oxidation:
1) Light tarnish when a product lost its luster.
In this case, it suffices to wash an item in soapy hot water. You can use either laundry soap or a liquid detergent. After washing, simply wipe a product dry with a soft cotton cloth.
2) A considerable tarnishing when an item looks gray.
To clean such jewelry, you need to make a slurry with hot water, laundry soap, and baking soda. Apply it to the surface of a product and rub it with a toothbrush. If there is no laundry soap, you can use a liquid detergent. When it’s done, wipe an ornament with a dry soft cotton cloth.
If you need to clean a thin chain and you are afraid to tear it, just wrap it around the index finger for a more convenient application of the cleaning slurry. Also, you can pour some baking soda with soap in your palm, put a chain there and rub palms against each other. Thus the links will polish one another from within. Please note that you can’t do it with Cuban weaving chains because links may bend.
3) Strong tarnishing when a whole product is covered with a black oxide film.
We hope that these simple tips will help you to maintain your silver biker jewelry as attractive and shiny as the day you bought it!
]]>Modern fashion jewelry is bristling with various gothic themes. You can see skulls depicted on rings, earrings, bracelets, as well as bones that embellish necklaces or belt buckles. For several seasons in a row, the most famous jewelry designers have been introducing different elements resembling skulls, bones, crosses, and skeletons in their collections. Moreover, ornaments supplemented with skulls are made of stones, crystals, or metals treated with enamel, embossing or blackening.
At first, many people rejected the idea of wearing skull pendants or skeleton rings but over the course of time skull jewelry has raised on a fashion pedestal.
People have been wearing accessories with skulls since time immemorial. Skulls placed on military uniforms were to frighten the opponent and reduce the morale of the enemy. Additionally, a skull implied that a warrior has no fear to die and was ready to fight to the death. Such ornaments began to be associated with courage and fearlessness. It is still a popular motif in the biker culture that preserved its original significance. On the other hand, fashionistas have ceased to confer any symbolism on the skulls. Today, fashionable skull jewelry is the trend of the season.
Although skull ornaments are impregnated with mystical, pirate, and magic symbolism, today they are just stylish and trendy accessories. Skull jewelry is commanding; it always carries a spirit of revolution and rebellion against the system. Such items are madly popular among young people and fashion gurus who follow the latest trends and boldly experiment with their style.
Skeleton rings, skull necklaces, death’s head earrings, bone pendants, etc. - the variety of thematic jewelry is huge. Plus, skull and bones signs are multifaceted symbols. On the one hand, skulls signify mortality, but on the other hand, it is a symbol of rebirth. A skull bracelet can frighten and at the same time give hope for salvation in religious meaning. Thanks to such significance, skull jewelry has been worn by various cult followers, military leaders, innovators, and even scientists.
Today, a pendant with a death’s head or a skull ring can be seen on a badass biker, well-known politician, businessman, or actor. Many men opt for skull ornaments believing that they are extremely masculine and have nothing to do with women's trinkets. However, it does not mean that ladies can’t complement their look with a skull ornament. In fact, under the influence of the latest fashion trends, the jewelry industry supplies pieces with a unisex vibe.
Today, skulls are not just a manifest of fearlessness, intrepidity, and strength; they are rather a tribute to fashion and an indicator of a person who rocks trendy stuff.
]]>Biker jewelry is an indispensable accessory. Since ancient times, the most popular metals for the ornaments manufacture have been silver and gold. For centuries, people have been arguing which metal is better. This discussion is endless – some people prefer silver, another wear only gold jewelry and the others successfully combine both. These noble metals have both positive and negative properties. Let’s compare gold and silver to understand what is better.
Gold can be found in the human body, although its amount is minimal. It is actively used in pharmacology. There is an opinion that gold strengthens the immune system and health.
Gold jewelry has long been considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity. It is a metal of power-hungry and confident people. Gold is a very pliable material, which is perfectly compatible with precious stones and gems.
Today gold jewelry is perfectly suitable for both women and men. However, in the East, it is believed that gold possesses the Yan energy, which is characteristic of men. Golden ornaments will be a perfect match for durable, strong, and active people. Products made of this metal relieve depression and apathy, helping their owners to focus on their goals. If you suffer from fatigue, drowsiness, and unwillingness to do anything, gold can aid to eliminate such moods.
In terms of health benefits, biker accessories made of silver are better than gold. Silver kills germs and purifies water. If you put a silver item into a jar with water, the liquid will remain fresh and drinkable for a long time.
Silver-made jewelry looks less showy than gold one. Any massive rings or bracelets will not seem tasteless if they are made of this material. At the same time, the decor of silverware is not inferior to gold; sometimes such ornaments are even more attractive than gold ones.
It is customary for Christians to make various amulets from silver. When a child is baptized, he or she is given a silver spoon. It is considered that this metal protects from an evil eye and absorbs a negative energy from outside. Indeed, if a silver item suddenly turns dark, it is said that it has cleared harmful energy.
In the East, silver personifies the Yin energy but this does not mean that it can only be worn by women. Silver jewelry has soothing properties. Therefore, if you are irritable and impatient, this metal is for you.
Silver is a very strong and durable metal that is perfect for everyday wear. It is noble and at the same time simple and affordable. Silver biker accessories are the best pick for down-to-earth, pragmatic and well-balanced people.
]]>This means that there are no absolutely identical jewelry pieces. They can be visually similar to each other but there will always be differences, some special details. This is why manual labor is so valuable, unlike the serial production that manufactures items with the help of machines. It's worth a lot to know that there is only one such item in the world when you purchase a hand-crafted biker jewelry from Bikerringshop.
Do you want to stand out among other people? Handmade accessories will be in handy! They work like attention magnets! All eyes will be on you even if you are wearing a small piece. Biker rings, pendants, necklaces, chains, bracelets, etc. made by hand are much more appealing than mass-market products bought in a store.
The secret behind this is that hand-crafted accessories radiate powerful energy! You can check it by conducting a simple experiment: take any jewelry you bought in a store and put one of our products next to it! We guarantee that you will notice a colossal difference!
An image of a badass biker is reasonable when you saddle your steel horse and ride along the endless highways surrounded by your like-minded mates. However, leather pants and a biker jacket is a completely inappropriate wardrobe when you work in an office. Jewelry is a totally different thing. It is not necessary to part with your favorite ornaments when you are at work, hang out with friends, go in for sports or have a favorite pastime.
Sometimes it is very difficult to choose a gift for a man. On the one hand, it is hard even to imagine what you can give to a person who already has everything. On the other hand, when some great idea crosses your mind it is rarely fulfilled because the cost of an exclusive gift may be tremendous.
In any case, biker handmade jewelry will become an excellent present! Besides, its affordable price will pleasantly surprise you. You can give a commanding biker bracelet, pendant, ring, wallet, etc. A man whom you present such an item will certainly appreciate it! And you will look like a creative person with flawless taste.
One more advantage of handmade jewelry is the opportunity to get a unique item manufactured specifically for you. You are not likely to use such a service when purchasing off-the-shelf products because manufacturers are not interested in small-scale production. Handmade custom craft, on the other hand, is an opportunity to participate in the process of creating your own accessory.
]]>The Latin cross is the most common Christian symbol in the Western world. It signifies the cross that Christ was crucified upon; hence it has a different name – Crucifixion. Its other names are the cross of the West, the cross of Life, the cross of Suffering.
This shape, so similar to a person who spread his arms, symbolized God in Greece and China long before the advent of Christianity. A cross rising from the heart signified kindness among the ancient Egyptians.
The Long cross is another name for the Latin cross. In the Middle Ages, the priests marked a cross in the book where they needed to cross themselves.
This cross is the most typical for Satanists or those who call themselves such. The fact that the cross is inverted is explained as a perversion of the idea of a God's cross, a parody of God and his symbolism. A regular Latin cross, having four endings, symbolizes God the Father; the two sides are the Son and the Holy Spirit and the fourth, the lower end, means Satan. Turning the cross upside-down, people put the Devil above the Holy Trinity, thus belittling it.
In fact, the inverted cross is directly connected with one of the most revered saints, Apostle Peter. The cross of St. Peter is the second name of this cross. According to legend, during the reign of one of the most zealous persecutors of the early Christian ideas Emperor Nero, St. Peter was crucified in 65 AD upon a cross with this shape. Such an unusual way of death, or rather such a weapon of death, is said to be chosen by Peter himself as punishment for a triple betrayal of Christ.
It is named after the letter τ of the Greek alphabet. The Greek "tau" originated from the Phoenician and meant "a mark, a sign". The ancient Egyptians used the T sign to symbolize both fertility and life. Combined with a circle, the symbol of eternity, it became an "ankh" - a sign of eternal life. In the Hebrew alphabet, T was the last symbol, and therefore it began to signify the end of the world. It also symbolized the salvation of the Israelites when the Angel of Death passed through Egypt to destroy the firstborns. This made T a common sign of protection.
The alternative names of tau-cross are the Egyptian cross or the cross of St. Anthony. Due to the similarities with a gallows, it is also called the "cross of the gallows". Some people believe that this was the actual shape of the cross upon which Christ was crucified.
It is a symbol of clairvoyance and assistance in its development. The Celtic cross is sometimes called the cross of Jonah or the Large cross. The circle symbolizes both the sun and eternity. This cross, which appeared in Ireland before the 8th century, probably originates from the Chi Rho, the monogram of the first two letters of Christ written in Greek. This fact became the prerequisite for the spread of the cross as a symbol of Christ. This cross is often decorated with carvings, animals and biblical scenes, such as the fall of man or the sacrifice of Isaac.
]]>Eastern cultures treat carps very respectfully, believing they are a symbol of longevity and purposefulness. In nature, the life of carps is a constant battle. They have to struggle with the flow of rivers, overcoming the miles in search of food or places for breeding. Therefore, carp images are often interpreted as a symbol of struggle and incredible willpower, a symbol of survival and a thirst for life. Accessories with the image of this fish are especially popular among individuals who are striving for the highest goal, which may seem unattainable for other people.
In China, carp koi is of particular importance. It is considered to be the king of all fishes on earth. Therefore, it embodies absolute power and superiority over all others peers. It is also called dragon fish. The ancient legend says that every carp that can go up the Yellow River and reach the Gates of the Dragon will also be turned into a dragon. Therefore, carp is a symbol of inspiration for people who are striving for particularly complex and ambitious goals.
Bikers wear accessories with Japanese koi tattoo design for several reasons. The most popular reasons are:
Koi fish helps every person who has failed in life. In Japanese and Chinese mythology, carp is sort of a lucky charm, such as horseshoes or four-leafed clovers. Many people believe that images of a carp koi can help in the fight against life's difficulties.
An ancient Eastern belief says that koi can transform into a river dragon. This fish can do things others are not capable of. That is why the image of koi reflects the devotion to oneself and the search for the place in life.
This interpretation of the koi image is originated from the same legend. No obstacles will prevent a little carp from becoming what it should be. This fish moves relentlessly towards its goal and, in the end, reaches it.
The Japanese revere a carp as a masculine symbol. They used to decorate their houses with flags depicting a carp when a boy was born in a family. Later it became a symbol of joyful life and family well-being. Today koi of fiery-red color symbolizes the feminine principle. Scarlet carp reflects a woman's essence, attractiveness, and youth. The Japanese associate a red koi with an image of a loving mother, the keeper of the family.
A carp of black color symbolizes a man. A person who wears ornaments with a black carp koi puts the emphasis on his masculinity and strength.
Images of white or blue carp are a symbol of sons in a family, and pink carp is a sign of a daughter.
In nature, carp’s life is full of difficulties: they constantly compete for food and fight with the currents of rivers. But these fish are capable of overcoming any barriers. They create favorable conditions for themselves and are able to take advantage of the circumstances.
Carp koi rings can be worn by anyone. A man possessing an accessory with this image will certainly achieve success in his career and love life. A carp will give him confidence in his abilities, wisdom, and bring luck. If a decoration is worn by a woman it means that a lady has a masculine character and achieves everything in her life by herself. She is determined, purposeful and follows her goal without expecting help from above.
In general, accessories with koi carps are the best fit for such individuals:
It is also worth mentioning bikers who have ever been a hair's breadth from death. For such people, Japanese koi tattoo design jewelry will become a symbol of the struggle for life and victory despite circumstances.
Carp is a symbol of independence of the soul and body. It helps to achieve success no matter what. In general, carp became a symbol of fearlessness and courage in the Buddhist religion. Also, people in the East admire its longevity. If you are not afraid of difficulties and spend your life in a constant motion, carp koi jewelry will become your totem.
]]>Archaeologists have established that accessories in the form of rings first appeared in the Paleolithic era. Mostly they were crafted from bones but there were also items made from horsehair, grasses, and dried algae. Those pieces were not jewelry in the modern sense, rather they had a function of amulets. Men believed that rings brought good luck in hunting, frightened off evil spirits, ensured victory in wars, and protected against diseases. The first rings made of metal date back to the Bronze Age.
By the beginning of the first millennium BC, rings started being made of gold. The Hebrew king Solomon who ruled, presumably, from 972 to 932 BC mentions these accessories in his works. He wrote these words: "Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion."According to some legends, in this historical epoch rings acquired a symbolic meaning. One of the legends says that Solomon owned a ring with the following engraving "Everything passes and this too shall pass”. This accessory symbolized calmness and self-confidence. Its copies are in demand even today.
In ancient Greece, there was a legend about Prometheus. It says that the Titan was the first to wear a ring according to the order of the supreme god Zeus. The Greeks originated a tradition to wear engagement rings on the ring finger of the left hand. They believed that the left hand was a symbol of the heart while the right hand signified authority.
In ancient Rome, men's rings took a familiar to us look. With the help of these accessories, Romans demonstrated power and wealth. Therefore, only riders and senators had the right to wear golden rings with precious stones. A regular Roman citizen could wear only iron rings, but this rule was canceled in the 3rd century AD. Gold men's rings could be worn by all free Romans and freedmen were allowed to possess silver analogs.
By the way, the first signet rings appeared in ancient Egypt and not in the Middle Ages as many mistakenly believe. With their help, the Egyptian priests denoted their service to the deity. In addition, the impression was an analog of a stamp. Later this tradition appeared in ancient Rome. Romans wore signets made of iron, bronze or gold.
The power of the Pope was always confirmed by a ring made-to-order from gold and decorated with precious stones. If the Pope died his ring was destroyed, and a new one was crafted for the successor. Sometimes church made copies of such rings and gave them to parishioners during the divine services.
In the Middle Ages, men's rings acquired specific symbolism. On the other hand, women's ringlets still remained simply jewelry pieces. There were rings with the family coat of arms, which were passed from generation to generation and confirmed belonging to the nobility. Depending on the type of precious stones, rings could serve as an amulet.
During the same era, men's rings started performing certain functions. An archer could be identified by three steel rings on the index, middle and ring fingers. These elements protected the fingers from the cuts of a string. Massive rings of cast iron, steel or precious metals were used in fisticuffs. There were predecessors of modern brass knuckles.
The Middle Ages revealed a potential of a ring to be a serious weapon. Thanks to the development of jewelry craft, by the 16th century it became possible to manufacture rings with cavities to store poison. A ring owner pressed or shifted a precious stone and a poisonous substance could be added to a glass of wine, for example.
Such rings were especially popular among the members of the Borgia dynasty, including the infamous Duke Cesare Borgia. The medieval politician had rings equipped with thin poisoned needles. With the help of such a weapon, Borgia has eliminated many rivals with impunity.
Trespassing rings also occurred in the Middle Ages. Masons wore rings with the image of Adam's head, which were a pass to the meetings and a sign of belonging to the lodge. Similar items were worn by followers of the Teutonic and other orders, groups of dissidents, and artisans. A shoemaker, for example, wore a special thimble ring, which helped him in his work and was an identification sign for "colleagues." Specific rings were also common among members of criminal communities. Pirate decorated their digits with pirate skull rings and trophies taken from defeated enemies.
By the 18th century, men's rings acquired an exquisite look and symbolized, above all, luxury and wealth. European fashionistas could wear jewelry on top of gloves, not removing them even during hunting and battles.
In the XIX century, these accessories started taking on a common appearance. Gold, silver, and precious stones were widely used. Rings become more subtle, refined and classy.
During the XX century, rings have become an indispensable attribute of various subcultures. You can easily identify a biker, goth or rocker by accessories with characteristic images of crosses, dragons, animals or pirate skull rings. Rings are honored among professional athletes (especially if they received them for winning a competition), actors, and musicians.
Nowadays, rings can have any form, size, and design. The most popular materials remain gold and sterling silver. When picking up a ring, men are guided by personal style and taste rather than belonging to a group, society or culture. You can often see a man rocking a biker skull ring even if he has nothing to do with bikers. Such massive and appealing jewelry becomes a stylish accessory for any person who desires to stand out from the crowd.
]]>Silver does not tolerate emotionally impoverished, harsh and ruthless people. It tries to either get away from them or brings them great misfortune. Therefore, pragmatists and skeptics should avoid silver. This shiny metal favors sensual people whom it will serve well. If you are an open-minded person, sterling silver biker jewelry will be an excellent choice for your energy field.
On top of that, silver is a spiritual metal. As an astral conductor, it helps to establish contact with the souls of the dead. For this reason, relics of the saints are stored in silver containers.
Silver and gold are very fond of its owner. They do not like to be passed from one person to another, and this must be taken into account.
Silver influences a person's soul and his subconscious, forcing him to immerse himself into the inner world. This metal also affects the emotional side of an individual. It awakens impressionability and subtle sensitivity. Under the influence of silver, sensitive people can become dreamy and overwhelmed with fantasies.
The sensitivity and variability inherent in the nature of silver have their material embodiment. It manifests in the properties of its compounds. Silver halides (bromide and iodide silver) decompose under the influence of small doses of light, even single elementary particles. This is successfully used in photography. Silver products also get dark. People notice that silver turns black at different speeds. It depends on the astral nature of a person and the properties of his soul. The black substance on the surface of silver is a silver oxide and silver sulfide in different proportions.
Since ancient times, literally every religion of the world claimed that silver is God's metal, and evil spirits are afraid of it. In Christianity, for example, a werewolf can only be killed by a silver bullet. One can tame a werewolf by putting a silver-clad collar. To identify a werewolf it suffices to put a silver item in his hand, which will cause a burn.
Islam believes that a faithful Muslim man should not wear gold jewelry since this shiny metal can confuse the mind and draw a Shaitan to his heart. Prophet Muhammad, one of the most respected people of the East, wore only silver rings.
Since time immemorial, people have revered silver not only for its beauty but also for its magical and curative properties. Suffice it to say that such mystical things as mirrors were originally made of metals, including silver. The oldest of these mirrors is about 5 thousand years old and it is made in the form of a carefully polished silver disc with a handle on one side. Only very rich people could afford silver mirrors.
By the way, people learned to make glass mirrors relatively recently, only about 600 years ago. However, they were not recognized by religious confessions for a long time. It was believed that glass mirrors had hidden demons. The church considered glass mirrors to be the source of evil. Silver mirrors, however, did not cause any worries
With the help of silver mirrors, believers treated various diseases, ranging from the psychic to dropsy, smallpox, and tuberculosis. It was considered that metals of cold shades (silver, tin, iron) absorb hot energies and take away the excess of heat from a patient. Metals of warm colors act exactly the opposite. By using mirrors made of different metals, experienced healers managed to heal seemingly incurable ailments. With the help of a silver mirror, ancient Greek doctors could predict the outcome of a disease. To do this, they immersed a mirror in the water at a shallow depth and made a patient look at his reflection. By the extent to which his features were distorted in the mirror, it was judged whether a person would survive or not.
The union of silver and water dates back the ancient times. The ruler of the Sumerians Entemene (2400 BC) had a silver vase with a copper bottom. The water was saturated with ions of these metals and acquired healing and rejuvenating properties. Even at those times, people knew about the wonderful properties of both metals. They even had an idea about the synergetic effect, which occurs when they are used simultaneously.
In some countries, silver coins were thrown into the wells to improve the quality of water. People also added them to jars with milk to prevent souring. In the 5th century BC, the Persian king Cyrus drank water only from silver vessels. He believed they had saved him from many infections. His example was followed by other commanders. Thus, in 326, during the invasion of Alexander the Great to India, an epidemic of gastrointestinal diseases began to spread among his troops. Only the highest ranks of the army, who drank from silver cups, did not suffer.
Baptismal water, consecrated by the immersion of a silver cross, was widely used by Christians. It preserved its freshness during the whole year. It’s worth saying that the knowledge accumulated over centuries has formed the basis for a new trend in medicine – metallic ion therapy. Its essence is the treatment of various diseases with solutions containing ions of metals.
Silver has not lost its popularity today, although, its ritual significance has changed. Nowadays many people prefer silver jewelry to improve health. This accessible metal, which is suitable for any outfit and occasion, becomes even better if worn regularly.
It is not difficult to maintain silver accessories. Keep them in a dark dry place and clean with a soft lint-free cotton cloth. If you want to make your biker jewelry shiny again, you can rinse it with a baking soda solution or warm soapy water with the addition of ammonia (1 table spoon per liter of water). However, it is not recommended to use ammonia to clean silver pieces with blackening.
The most widespread allow of silver contains a slight addition of copper. The most popular is the 925 stamp (92.5% silver and 7.5% copper) which is called sterling silver. There are also other stamps (875, 800, 750) but they are less common.
While having an affordable price, silver jewelry allows us to manifest our individuality and demonstrate our unique style. When we pick silver biker jewelry and accessories we are under the influence of its magical properties even if we forget about them sometimes.
]]>Gothic style can be seen in almost everything: architecture, sculpture, painting, and, of course, clothes. It had a significant influence on the fashion of that time. Modern fashion also uses elements of this style: you can see distinctive features of Gothic in the collections of famous designers not to mention that many subcultures are inspired by its gloomy aesthetic.
The somber, strict, and at the same time the majestic beauty of the Gothic style originates in a rather difficult period of history, which was called the Dark Ages. However, Gothic got its name later, in the Renaissance. For the thinkers of that time, all items made in the Gothic style looked wrong, unconventionally, and disproportionately. Therefore, they received a name of the tribe of Goths, which was associated with these features.
Gothic elements were quite common in interiors of the Victorian era with all their luxury and splendor. Gothic vaulted windows and elongated, pointed pinnacles, which decorated not only facades but also interiors, helped to achieve the effect.
If you look at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the main signs of the Gothic style will become clear:
All these features are reflected in the clothes. In the dark Middle Ages as well as during the reign of Queen Victoria, there was a strong difference between estates. It was expressed not only in the way of life but also in outfits. Women from the lower classes could not wear clothes made of expensive fabrics, such as silk or velvet. Neither could they wear trains. They were a sign of the nobility. The longer a train was, the higher was its owner’s status.
Shoes with grotesquely long noses, which sometimes reached half a meter, were also common for the Medieval Gothic.
Inherent attributes of men's Gothic apparel of that time:
• velvet;
• pointed high men's hats;
• sharp-nosed elongated shoes;
• standing collars;
• sharp cuffs;
• lush sleeves of frock coats and caftans.
By the way, black color began to prevail much later. Back then the clothes were bright and vibrant: burgundy, blue, lilac, and green. Fabrics with floral ornaments were also common.
The modern Gothic style originated on the streets during the 1970-80’s. People were tired of punks and the moods of despondency and decadence were in the air. Black color became popular, which only increased the effect of gloom and oppressive solemnity of the Gothic style.
In modern fashion, there are several trends of the Gothic style, but each of them is characterized by such features as an abundance of black and silver gothic jewelry. Materials that are most often used to create clothing are leather, mesh, velvet, silk, and even vinyl. Color combinations, by and large, are depressive: for example, black with red or white. They emphasize the gloom and solemnity and make the image more catchy.
The staple of this style can be seen in the Goth’s wardrobe. This subculture occurred in the 1970’s. They follow the style in everything: not only in clothes, but also in hairstyles, makeup, musical preferences, and books.
No matter how cyclical the fashion is, when it comes back from the depths of centuries, it undergoes many changes. However, you can still see the idea behind the modern gothic fashion. When you mention Goths, the first things pop up in your mind are images of gothic architecture. It is because gothic clothes and architecture have so much in common: gloominess, solemnity, multilayeredness, tragic majesty, and along with that, some magnetic appeal.
The male Gothic style in clothes is very similar to the female one. Therefore, male Goths also use make-up and intensively paint the eyes black.
At the same time, clothes can be stylized to medieval dresses with gloves, tailcoats, men's pointed hats, cylinders, lace cuffs and other elements of romanticism that were inherent in neo-Gothic. Here we should thank Queen Victoria which originated luxury in clothes. Sometimes, Victorian clothes with a bias in gothic style have brutal attributes, such as chains, necklaces-collars, and so on.
The basis gothic men's wardrobe includes:
• black shirts;
• leather pants;
• white blouses reminiscent of women's ones with a jabot collar;
• long coats;
• hats;
• gloomy make-up: pale face and dark hair;
• silver jewelry carrying gothic symbols: cross pendants, skull earrings, ornaments with roses, spiders, dragons, bats, etc.
In general, a Goth’s image must be mysterious and mystical. Add some metal ornaments or silver accents, don’t forget lots of black colors and voila, you have a look of a Goth.
The Gothic style of clothes has been rethought many times over the past decades. Nevertheless, it remained invariably loved by everybody: subcultures, fashionistas, and designers. After all, you don’t have to dress in medieval costumes from head to toes or become a Goth. It is enough to use Gothic style accessories to look bold, appealing, gothic, and relevant. BikerRingShop with our massive collection of Gothic jewelry will help you with this.
]]>According to ancient legends, a talisman charm ring is a piece of a metal chain. It consists of links and, apparently, occurred even before rings. The evidence for this statement is the ancient Greek legend of Prometheus.
Zeus chained him to a rock as a punishment. The Thundered became angry when he found out that Prometheus had given the people a divine fire. The confinement was long but not eternal. Later Zeus freed the captive and put one of the links of a chain on Prometheus' finger.
The ancient Greek legends say that later Prometheus finalized his ring. The Titan decorated it with a piece of a rock he was chained to. This served as a reminder of the hardship he experienced.
It is not known for sure what kind of a stone he used. Perhaps, there were amethyst druses on the rock. This lilac variety of quartz is a mineral commonly used by the Greeks to decorate jewelry. The ancient people believed that purple quartz bestows luck and protects against adversity.
With the spread of religion and especially Christianity, rings were given protection properties to drive away evil spirits. Early Christians did not wear crosses; their role was performed by rings. Now you can combine these two symbols in a cross ring to get a powerful talisman.
Being an important part of peoples’ lives, talisman rings became more than all-metal pieces and jewelry with mineral insets. There are dozens of varieties of charm rings.
Talisman rings can be distinguished by the type of metal they are made of. According to esoteric, silver rings are considered to be peaceful. The energy of this metal is calm and it helps to attract creative powers.
Medics highly appreciated silver as well. The white metal has antiseptic properties and it kills about 650 types of pathogenic microbes. Until antibiotics were invented, wounds were stitched with silver threads. Sometimes even bandages with metal impregnation were used. There were also customs to put silver rings in jars with water. Silver disinfected the fluid giving health to the whole family.
Gold rings are also popular as amulets. The power of the yellow metal, according to esoteric, is belligerent. Rings of gold are good for energetic people who crave for victories. It is believed that the yellow alloy attracts energy, accumulates, and stores it.
The same as silver, gold was also used in medicine. This is evidenced by Egyptian papyri, treatises on Ayurveda from India and the Atlas of Tibetan medicine from China. Western healers also paid much attention to gold, especially Paracelsus.
What can a charm ring give? Gold strengthens the will and memory, relieves stress, and gives vitality. Paracelsus claimed that the yellow alloy relieves the arrhythmia of the heart. Warlocks agree with him: the heart beats more evenly when a person is not under the influence of evil eyes or bad thoughts.
Engagement rings are also a form of talismans. Their modern versions are often decorated with carvings and stones. However, traditional wedding rings are smooth. They are considered to be protective. A smooth surface reflects any filth away from spouses. Our ancestors believed that unevenness is a hook for evil spirits and thoughts.
Rings also carry a magical mission. Ornaments were used in witchcraft rituals. Depending on the symbols on their surface, they can be attributed to black or white magic. For example, many magical rings are decorated with runes. The runes were sort of letters for people from Northern Europe. Their "alphabets" had about 20 characters. Some of them are associated with the forces of light while others carry the energy of destruction and darkness. Sorcerers used rings with runes in their rituals.
Charm rings are often decorated with symbols. For instance, they can carry images of totem animals or other powerful symbols. You need to be careful when picking such rings. Some signs have an ambivalent nature. For example, skull rings can mean resurrection and deliverance from death and at the same time, they can imply destruction and mortality.
Besides runes and symbols, talisman rings often have mineral insets. Astrologers and esoterics have assigned some magical properties to precious stones and gems according to the signs of the zodiac and individual needs of people. For instance, quick-tempered people can pacify their temper with the help of diamonds.
Moonstones are “prescribed” against apathy. Sapphires and carnelians “cure” envy. Pearls relieve manic ideas and obsessions. Amethyst and malachite can be inserted into a ring for women. These gems will free from the influence of jealousy and black magic.
Silver rings are associated with the lunar energy that is considered to be feminine. However, men can wear white metal in order to pacify an excessively lascivious nature or to improve their health. Gold is charged with the energy of the Sun and it is a symbol of the masculine. Women can use a yellow alloy in moments of apathy and when they have to fight against someone or something.
Precious stones can also be feminine and masculine. Those who wish to know motherhood should pick a talisman ring with a garnet or opal. Carnelian will support the health of women. Rock crystal will protect the offsprings of a woman. In addition to gems, men can wear amulets made of bone. A canine of a bear, for example, will give strength and a long life.
When choosing an amulet you should keep in mind that not every jewelry piece can become one. It is believed that rings bought from a shop have weak energy. Therefore, people try to get charm rings as a present. However, you need to make sure that it is given with good feelings. Goodwill is an additional charge of positive energy a decoration will carry.
A stolen ring cannot be a charm. To be sure about a ring’s history it is better to choose family jewels. They concentrate the power of a family and there is no reason to doubt the origin of such decorations.
It is not always possible to get the desired gift or to take a centuries-old talisman from a family jewelry box. In this case, you can buy an amulet in a shop or order a custom-made ring as our ancestors did. After a purchase, you need to put a spell on it. You need to turn to tradition keepers to ensure that a product you buy turns into an amulet.
]]>If you are keen on purchasing a biker wallet made of exotic leather, here are some tips on how to pick one.
When producing men's wallets, manufacturers use skin from the abdominal part of a crocodile, skin from the head or back part, and also the tail part. The skin of the head has 2-4 rows of pronounced growths. The most valuable is the skin from the ventral part, i.e. it is the softest and can be easily processed. Here, the pattern of scales has more geometrically correct shapes. They form lines that are practically parallel to each other.
The real crocodile leather will always be expensive, but it is worth its money. This skin is very durable, therefore, crocodile leather products will serve you for many years, emphasizing your status and individuality.
To distinguish genuine crocodile skin from the abdominal part, you should carefully look at the skin pattern. All "squares" should have different sizes and should not be repeated (they are like people’s fingerprints). If you look closely you will notice that each "square" will always have a small bulging dot – it is an undeveloped horny growth.
It is simply impossible to achieve such an effect by embossing to imitate the natural crocodile leather. Patterns will repeat themselves. This is how you can tell the genuine crocodile skin from knock-offs.
The head or dorsal portions have a visible pattern formed by longitudinal crests. These horny plates are called osteoderms. You can palpate them only if a product is made of real crocodile skin. If you press these horny plates with a fingernail, they will never subside. This also distinguishes the real skin from forgery because it is almost impossible to imitate horny growths.
The tail of a crocodile has bony scutes, which have a specific triangular shape and are arranged in a row. Just like with the head and dorsal parts of the skin, when you press a scute you will feel a horny plate that won’t cave in.
By its structure, stingray skin resembles a canvas decorated with beads or pearls. It consists of large and small bumps. Stingray products are perfectly worn; they are resistant to scratches, kinks, and cuts. It is proved that this leather is 5 times more durable than regular calfskin.
It is not that hard to identify genuine stingray skin: it consists of small bumps whose size is smaller than a match head. Faux leather will have much larger bumps.
The Internet suggests many ways to check if stingray skin is real. For example:
- Light a lighter (or a match) and bring it to leather. If it is a forgery, the bumps will start melting when heated. The real leather does not react to heat in the same way - the beads will not melt.
- Take a needle, heat it with a match or a lighter and try to pierce the skin. The natural stingray leather will be very difficult to pierce, and it will emit a loud crunch sound.
However, sellers won’t probably allow conducting such experiments with new products. You can do it after purchase though.
Meanwhile, here are some ways to determine the real stingray skin without ruining a product:
1. Each stingray skin is absolutely individual (the pattern and arrangement of the beads are absolutely unique). The bigger is a stingray, the larger the size of the bumps. Beads do not have a right round shape. They are different in size and fit tightly to each other, which is impossible to achieve with artificial leather.
The size of the beads of a genuine stingray skin is different. The bumps increase in size from the edges of the skin to its center.
2. Natural stingray leather is coarse to the touch - if you rub it with your palm it will be smooth in one direction, and rough in the reverse.
3. If you buy a biker wallet or a belt made of stingray skin then look at it carefully. Upon closer examination, you can see barely noticeable wedge-shaped joints. This is due to the fact that several stingray pelts can be used to craft a product. Since the size of the beads always varies from the center to the edge, they form peculiar joints.
However, sometimes only one pelt is used to make leather accessories. In this case, there will be no joints, but such products are much more expensive than those that are made of several pelts.
It is not difficult to identify a real snake skin (especially python one). The genuine snake leather is never smooth. It is rough to the touch and if you look closely you can distinguish each scale separately.
Each snake pelt has a unique pattern that never repeats. The pattern won’t be symmetrical. And, of course, there are no two absolutely identical accessories because each will carry an individual pattern. Nature does not use templates, so the products made of genuine python skin are always unique. Wallets, belts and wallet chains made of genuine snake leather always look very solid and stylish.
If you put a palm to reptile skin and it instantly becomes warm then you have a genuine leather product. But if it heated slowly then most likely it is a knock-off.
]]>The distinctive features of this style are elegant, refined, strict, and not excessively intricate forms. The most common shape of such jewelry is a circle or a rectangle. The main advantage of this style is that it is not subject to fashion. Your pieces will remain relevant all the time and in any place, with a working suit or a tuxedo.
Avant-garde implies unusual ornaments which manifest the denial of all the traditional forms. Jewelry, made in this style, follows only one rule - the talent and taste of a jeweler. Normally, such ornaments are shocking, eccentric, unusual, bold, and catchy. Avant-garde pieces can combine unusual materials: precious stones can coexist with gems, and platinum can adjoin leather. There are also no rules regarding the use of proportions and shapes.
Such decorations depict the figures of animals, birds, fish, in other words, all the creatures of flora and fauna.
It is also often called folklore style. Such adornments interpret the motives and culture of certain nationalities: India, Spain, Japan, China, Russia, etc. For example, a typical representative of ethnic style is Celtic jewelry. The other type of jewelry that can be attributed to the ethnic style is exotic ornaments, the most well-known of which are African style jewelry. Such pieces are normally made in vibrant, evocative, and appealing colors.
Such jewelry carries ritual attributes, crosses, gargoyles, roses, etc. In the interlacing patterns, you can clearly trace pentagram, runes, magic signs, or elements of the Middle Ages, for example, spires of towers. Gothic style jewelry is most often characterized by dark and gloomy color palette.
The Art Nouveau jewelry is distinguished by a large number of smooth lines, elongated shapes, fluidity, asymmetry, and refinement. The main themes in the jewelry of this style are floral motifs, elegant compositions and mystical coloring of things. The value of precious stones and metals is not important here; the meaning that they carry is the only thing that matters.
The art deco style combines luxury and simplicity, the clarity of lines and the bright sheen of precious stones. Hi-tech style features minimalistic shapes and precious metals. In general, attention is paid to the quality of metal processing, however, precious stones in the jewelry of this style will rarely be found. Constructivism is subject to one idea: the form must reflect the name of an object and its purpose. Transforming jewelry and multifunctional pieces are pretty common for this style.
]]>Let's start with a traditional purpose of a wallet chain. Bikers love fast speeds and prefer to keep their wallets in the back pockets of their pants. With high-speed driving, it's possible not to notice if a wallet slips out of your pocket and you won’t find it anywhere. With a chain, however, a wallet is always chained to his owner and he won’t be scared about its possible loss.
It has long been known that there are often shady personalities circulating in biker circles who can sneakily snitch your wallet. With a chain, you don’t have to worry that someone may snatch your property.
Massive chains create an image of a tough and badass man. At the sight of a serious man dressed in all black and with a huge chain hanging at his hip, we doubt that there will be many brave men ready to risk their health and steal a biker's wallet. Thus, a chain can act as some kind of a preventive measure.
If a group of bikers is going to have a fight, a large, heavy cast chain can serve as a weapon. It's just enough to wrap it around your fist and you're guaranteed to be able to beat all the crap out of your opponent.
It is known that true bikers are adherents of freedom and they reject some material blessings. It may happen that during his travels a biker doesn’t have enough money to refuel his steel horse. In this case, he can try to exchange his badass chain for a couple of gallons of gas or other things.
As you know, when it comes to biker culture, size matters. Regarding wallet chains, this means that more is better. It can happen that a biker wears a huge solid chain with which he can even fasten his bike so that it is not stolen.
Using the links of your chain you can also attach keys or various small items such as a lighter or a bottle opener. Just like a wallet, you may lose them when driving fast. However, if you fasten them to yourself you won’t have to worry about their safety. In addition, keys will always be at hand and won’t need to rummage in your pockets especially if you have a habit of keeping a lot of small things there.
Finally, with the help of a wallet chain, you can get your bike to work if there is a small breakdown. For example, you can use it to attach a muffler that fell out or other details that went loose. Of course, this is not a durable solution but if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and there is no sign of a vehicle repair shop nearby a quick repair with a chain will help you to hold out for a while.
]]>Almost every man has ever worn a necklace. The choice of this accessory is not as simple as it may seem at first glance. Ideally, the appearance of a product and how it suits must please its owner. A necklace should not bring dissonance into your image. Let's take a closer look at some nuances you ought to consider when picking a silver necklace:
Every one of us is a unique individual. Therefore, it is necessary to approach the choice of accessories individually. It's great if you can afford several necklaces - one for special occasions and some pieces for everyday wear. With our products, you can be sure to have all eyes on you. Not only do our biker style necklaces look jaw-dropping but also they are very durable and made of genuine 925 sterling silver.
]]>A signet, or a seal ring, is a heavy massive ring with a square or round platform. On a flat surface of the platform, there were placed engravings, relief images, and patterns featuring heraldry, initials, heads of beasts, etc. They were often decorated with stones, the most popular of which are rubies, sapphires, agates, and carnelians.
Similar accessories appeared at the time of the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese. During this period, signets were worn by priests who used them as a seal. With their help, priests sealed various messages, letters, and documents. The oracles of Egypt and Greece wore rings as a pendant while the Chinese priests wore signet on their fingers. The Middle Ages broadened the circle of people who had such accessories: churchmen, monarchs, nobles, members of occult societies, etc.
Today, signets and rings are a common element of the masculine style. Expensive handmade products remain a symbol of the status in society while massive silverware with ultra-modern design will complement your image of the bad guy.
A ring should not only match your wardrobe but it also must be your eye candy. There are no clear instructions on how to pick men’s rings but we suggest a few tips:
From ancient times the priests and the nobility wore rings on the pinky finger of the left hand. In the Middle Ages, the nobles had rings virtually on all the fingers of both hands. It was considered fashionable. French etiquette prescribed to wear a signet on the ring finger of the left hand while other types of rings could be worn on a little and middle finger of the right hand.
In other countries, there were different rules. Be that as it may, modern men's fashion is less conservative than it was in the past although it is not considered to be a great idea to wear more than 3-4 rings on both hands. A platform and a gem of a signet can be demonstrated outwardly or you can turn them inside. Now everyone decides how to wear jewelry on his own. If you are going to have a ring on the same hand where you are wearing a watch, then try to pick these accessories in the same style or at least uniform color.
]]>The first reliable data about jewelry worn in the ears dates back to 7th millennium BC. Mentions about earrings can be found on clay tablets from Assyria and on papyri of Ancient Egypt. In these states, men's earrings showed the high social status of a person. However, just a few centuries later, in Ancient Rome they were no longer adornments. Earrings started symbolizing slavery.
In Europe, earrings have been known since ancient times. These ornaments served as a sign of distinction, belonging to a particular circle, showed a social status of their owner. The main difference was the material earrings were made of. Ordinary people wore copper or wooden rings while prosperous merchants and the nobility had them made of precious metals. The rulers sported earrings with rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones. In ancient Rus, the Orthodox Church did not impose a direct ban, but only certain segments of society could wear ear ornaments. Cossack atamans marked children in a family with the help of the rings. Thus, the only child had to wear an earring in the right ear and the last men in the family - in the left one.
The fashion for wigs did not allow the nobility to wear ornaments in the ears because they were not visible behind the curls. Serfs, however, wore rings in their ears and it was a symbol of their belonging to a master. When women sent their husbands to war, they gave them an amulet - an earring.
The Catholic Church forbade the wearing of earrings since it deemed them as objects that spoil the perfect image of a man. In the Middle Ages, ear jewelry was spread only among pirates, gypsies, criminal personalities, and other underworld groups. People in these groups assigned particular meanings to earrings depending on their way of life. A pirate earned an earring after he had participated in a successful boarding. A thief, wearing this accessory, showed a denial of social principles.
According to the Gypsy traditions, an earring was worn by a child after the death of his or her male relative. Civilian seamen got the right to wear jewelry after swimming around the Cape of Good Hope. All this suggests that men's earrings, despite the prohibition of the church, were worn by bold and courageous people capable of serious deeds.
The main shape of ornaments for ears had long been a ring but with time the nobility started wearing earrings in the form of a cross or a stud. Today, myriads of shapes and styles are available for everybody. Here, at Biker Ring Shop, we offer a huge assortment of biker earrings. They are hand-crafted out of 925 sterling silver and feature unique styles. Our designers put their best foot forward to create not just accessible, but also eye-catching, stylish, and appealing pieces that will suit your image.
]]>According to ancient myths and legends, a ring as a closed circle symbolizes integrity and unity. It has neither beginning nor end; therefore it is often associated with eternity and infinity. Its central opening is the place where heavenly power and divine breath enters our world. A ring symbolizes bond, union or vow. That is why a wedding ring is used to designate the eternal union of two hearts and as a sign of matrimonial fidelity.
Infinity, wrapped around a finger, has long been a symbol of power. This is a sign of belonging to a particular circle. The owner of a ring regarded as the owner of his own universe, which he carried with him. Therefore, it served as an indispensable attribute of sorcerers, priests, and kings. It is known that King Solomon had a magic ring with the help of which he could command angels, demons, all nature elements, and spirits.
In ancient Egypt, a ring as a sign of eternity was represented by cord laid in the form of a circle, which ends are tied in a knot. Often this symbol could be found in the images of the gods. Simple people used nodular amulets in the form of a ring, which were supposed to protect against diseases and other misfortunes.
In China, a circle was considered to be a foundation of the universe. A ring was a symbol of eternity, as well as dignity and power. The whole ring meant the favor of the emperor while a broken or an open ring symbolized his anger towards subordinates. In ancient China, it was customary to send one of these rings to people in exile. If this was a whole ring, then the emperor was determined to restore this man in his status with maintaining of his reputation. If it was an open ring, then it meant that a person was no longer allowed to state affairs.
In Hinduism, the god Siva in the circle of flames makes his cosmic dance, personifying the life cycle of a person, creature, family, planet, and the entire universe. It is a circular dance of nature in the eternal process of creation and destruction. At the same time, the light radiated by the circle of flame symbolized eternal profound wisdom.
For the ancient Greeks and Romans, iron rings denoted authority and respect. They were allowed to be worn only by very renowned people. However, for the priests of Jupiter, the obligatory elements of the apparel were gold rings. Apparently, the bishop rings originated from this custom, which denotes implication in the divine ministry.
In the Greek myth of Prometheus, Hercules, with the permission of Zeus, frees a chained titan, but since then Prometheus had to wear an iron ring with a fragment of a rock. This ring was a sign of obedience to the Thunderer.
In alchemy, there is a famous symbol of a snake biting its own tail. It is called Ouroboros. Its meaning is related to the idea of time. The course of time is accompanied by destruction, as the past is irretrievably lost, that is, time devours itself. The same as in Hinduism, the serpent is associated with the cycles of human life, nature, and the entire universe. In alchemical manuscripts, there is also an emblem depicting a child, whose hand rests on a skull. A snake wraps around the child forming a ring. Ouroboros encloses two notions of the extreme polarities of the world - a child as a symbol of life and a skull as a symbol of death. Taken as a single whole, this emblem can be interpreted as follows: "In my beginning is my end."
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