Don't rub your eyes if you see fashionistas sporting seed jewellery this season. Your eyes aren't deceiving you. Seed-based jewellery is making a huge comeback, after years in the wilderness when seeds were scorned as outmoded 'hippy' fashion only worn on communes by the lentil-eating, sackcloth-wearing fraternity.
Seed jewellery is now becoming increasingly fashionable, as the 'tribal chic' vibe continues citizen watches grow and fashion designers as established as John Galliano for Dior add tribal accents to clothes and accessories.
It's about how you use the seeds, what materials you mix them with, and the use of colours in jewellery that are turning all those misconceptions about seed-based jewellery on their head. So read on to discover what the score is with seed jewellery:
Seeds are being mixed with metals to give them a more urban, trendy edge. We're now seeing seed beads used with brass, silver and copper. In particular, sharp, geometric shapes mixed with the organic forms of natural seeds can be real showstoppers.
Most seeds do tend to come in natural earthy colours. But if browns, greys and blacks aren't your style, don't despair! Seeds such as vegetable ivory (also known as Tagua) can be dyed in any colour, while the Tento seed is naturally a beautiful deep red. So seed jewellery can be colourful!
Seeds can also be mixed with other precious and semi-precious stones to gorgeous effect. Amethyst, rock crystal, tiger eye and onyx are all hot items to blend with seeds this season.
As accessories designers take up seed jewellery, we're seeing the very best of contemporary design applied to seed-based necklaces, earrings and bracelets. The end result is some really sharp design, along with some true classics re-interpreted, such as silver charm bracelets with gorgeous seed charms.
Mixed with other materials, we're seeing seed necklaces that can go with your LBD (little black dress), a casual outfit or a ballgown. The fact that sustainably-sourced seeds are eco-friendly only helps to make these seed necklaces real conversation-starters.
There is some jewellery that you won't even realise has been made with seeds. cartier watches you can track down a supplier of rings made from the Tucuma seed, you're in for a treat. These are seed rings lined and inlaid with silver, and interestingly, the size of the seed is what determines the size of the ring.
Finally, seed-based jewellery, and especially seed necklaces, make the perfect spring and summer accessories.
Nicholas Watson is a jewellery designer, trendspotter and founder of the fair trade jewellery brand Jungle Berry - http://www.jungleberry.co.uk/
