Our jewelry does a lot for us. It inspires, invokes memories, emboldens, and enlivens. It completes an ensemble, might bring good luck, and sends a message to those who see it.
But can it entertain?
In kinetic versions, it can. Serving equally as adornment and fidget object, kinetic jewelry offers an interesting selling point that few other jewelry pieces do: the ability to keep the wearer’s hands and eyes busy, apart from simply mesmerizing with its design (which in any jewel is an impressive feat enough).
These jewels spin, flip, contain hidden treasures and optical illusions, and more—all magnificent works of engineering through jewelry.
Rings in Svetlana Lazar’s Wishing Well line feature a kinetic element that creates the illusion of water moving beneath the gem—it’s truly something that needs to be seen to believed. View a video here.
This ring from ITA’s Caona collection has six customizable sides to be hand-engraved or set with birthstones, and it rotates so the wearer can visit with whichever facet they’d like.
Remember these fun little mazes? Los Angeles brand Monbouquette has made a wearable one with a tiny seed pearl as the ball within a golden maze.
London-based Mocielli says on its Instagram that the Third Eye flip ring is a “reminder to listen more carefully to our intuition and soul guidance.” Rotate it to showcase either heart-shape ruby against enamel or an aquamarine with mother-of-pearl. The piece, which is made to order, can be customized with gemstones of your choice. A video of its movement can be seen here.
Toktam’s Kahkeshan sun ring (also pictured at top) shifts around a centerpiece dome of yellow and orange sapphires, illustrating the continuous movement of the planets. The piece is made in 18k yellow gold with diamonds and multicolor sapphires.
Customers tell Talon owner and creative director Emily Hirsch that they like playing with the Sacred Heart drop pendant, and it’s easy to see why. The lariat-style piece can be worn with the sword in or out, letting one’s mood dictate its position from day to day.
Yi Collection’s Orbit ring features three gemstones that move along two stationary bands of gold. The ring is also available with sapphires or rubies.
Handmade in Italy, this is Marie Lichtenberg’s twist on a conventional piece of jewelry—the engagement ring. The surface of the ring bears a diamond-encrusted question mark and opens to reveal a diamond with the words “Would you marry me.”
Top: Kahkeshan Sun ring in 18k yellow gold with multicolor sapphires and diamonds, $4,230; Toktam
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