Concrete. Jewelry?
>>>The Beginning>>>
Conkave Concrete Jewelry was born in the end of 2019.
But my passion for concrete started in 2018, when I decided to replace the missing inlay in one of my old and beloved ring, and it hasn’t decreased ever since. I was searching for something unique, something unusual, but something simple and discrete at the same time. That’s how I found concrete, and soon I got the idea to start to make concrete jewelry as a profession.
>>>My Objectives and Values>>>
From the beginning my aim was to design and create long lasting, high quality jewelry, and reserving the original appearance of concrete at the same time. I didn’t want to use materials which was harmful for health and/or for the environment. Not only because these aspects are important to me personally, but because I believe that making and choosing high quality and safe handmade products can offer an alternative for the negative impact of fast fashion to the environment.
As it turned out soon, to achieve this goal wasn’t as easy as I first thought.
>>>The CONKAVE Story; „Only the impossible worth trying”>>>
Making concrete jewelry appeared very easy at first, but very soon I had to realize that it was not. At all. Concrete is quite difficult to work with, it’s quite sensitive, and sometimes even mysterious material. Only a minor change in the mixture, or in the temperature (and I suppose even in the wind direction, or in the constellation of the stars) can affect the result. All the work stages require a lot of skill and know-how, starting with mold making, casting, polishing, and so on. But the biggest problem I realized, that concrete was not meant for jewelry;
Because of its porous surface, in contact with skin (or actually anything) it becomes dirty (often called “rustic”, or “unique” ) in no time, and it can’t be really cleaned. Despite, that concrete is a common material and it’s used since the times of Ancient Rome, -as it turned out-, there still isn’t a real solution on the market which can guarantee that concrete resists staining on the long run. …. Or even in the short run, which means more than a few hours, or a day maximum.
So after many research and attempt, it seemed impossible to make long lasting concrete jewelry. Not to mention the other requirements, which was: safe to wear, safe to make, and reserving the original nature of concrete.
But as they say: Only the impossible worth trying. It took only 1,5 years to finally find a solution for this problem which meets all the requirements.
>>>Quality & Safety>>>
So I can happily say that Concrete Jewelry by CONKAVE is long lasting;
-Concrete reserves its original appearance; it won’t discolor in contact with skin over time.
-Concrete is stain proof, water proof and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals.
-If it becomes dirty it can be cleaned with water and liquid soap.
And
Safe to wear and safe to make;
-I don’t use resin or other harmful chemicals for concrete mix.
-For coloring I use natural pigments.
-The silicon I use for mold making is also safe for health and for the environment.
>>>About the process>>>
All pieces are completely handmade, and it takes 8-10 days until they are ready. During this time I work with one piece several times, as the process has 3-5 different stages depending on which particular piece I’m making. The molds and even the prototypes I use are also handmade by me. I reuse my tools as many times I can to reduce the amount of waste.
>>>Whom do I make CONKAVE Concrete Jewelry for?>>>
For me concrete jewelry symbolizes endurance, strength, willingness, firmness, innovation, elegance, minimalism, sophistication, modernism and uniqueness.
I recommend it for those women who love originality, unusual pieces and yet discrete style. Who like statement pieces, and who doesn’t afraid of challenges. For those who want to show the world how concrete they are.
