NFT jewellery: is blockchain bling a thing?
Simone Faurschou will release her jewellery collection, Blockchain, as NFT pieces before the physical launch in gold
Jewellery designer Simone Faurschou will unveil her new fine jewellery as a digital collection of NFT pieces before the physical launch later this year.
The collection, Blockchain, composed of solid white and yellow gold blocks with man made diamonds, explores the ways we connect with technology – and how technology connects with us. After a year in which technology has both connected and isolated us, it is a timely analysis.
‘It is a play on the fact that NFTs and the blockchain (in the context of crypto) inherently are linked to currencies and gold, whilst also literally representing the technology behind it all via a physical chain of gold blocks,’ explains Faurschou. ‘Just like blockchains are immutable, a fine gold jewellery piece is timeless and unchangeable.’ In her hands, jewellery becomes a way of building connections between people, with golden blocks coming together to create a whole. Each physical piece has a hole through it, allowing it to go onto a bracelet or chain.
The first block from the collection, Block1, has now been released as an NFT. ‘"Block1" is a limited edition of 1, which means that there will never be another NFT like it,’ she adds. ‘"Block1" is on an auction at the marketplace Rarible. So far, I have only released the first of 12 completely unique blocks of gold. Whoever wins the auction on Rarible will get the opportunity to have the actual block handcrafted by me from solid 18K Fairmined gold, set with man made diamonds.’
Digital jewellery which can’t be worn may seem an incongruous creation from a jeweller, but Faurschou points out its status as a work of art is still valid, as is its ability to last. ‘In this case, I personally think it’s such an exciting story that comes with a digital piece of jewellery and we can all be a part of writing it. Each piece can also be resold again like an actual gold piece, and even be passed down in generations.’ In her opinion, the digital and physical can harmoniously coexist. ‘Since I am a goldsmith myself, I also decided that I would like to give my buyer of the digital piece the ability to have it made as a physically wearable piece. Because who wouldn’t like a physically wearable 18K gold block?’
INFORMATION
simonefaurschou.com
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.
-
Utilitarian men’s fashion that will elevate your everyday
From Prada to Margaret Howell, utilitarian and workwear-inspired men’s fashion gets an upgrade for S/S 2024
By Jack Moss Published
-
Gerhard Richter unveils new sculpture at Serpentine South
Gerhard Richter revisits themes of pattern and repetition in ‘Strip-Tower’ at London’s Serpentine South
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Vipp’s Scandinavian guesthouse offers a sleek setting amid a wild landscape
Vipp Cold Hawaii is a Scandinavian guesthouse designed by architecture studio Hahn Lavsen in Denmark’s Thy National Park
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to know
These independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal pieces
A host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a moment
We've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Eternity rings for the modern couple
Eternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Alternative engagement rings with an edge
As the sales of engagement rings sky-rocket during lockdown, enjoy our off-kilter curation of edgy and unconventional engagement rings
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Hair jewellery to covet and collect
Today’s hair jewellery is both practical and pretty. We're pinning our hopes on these simple and elegant accessories
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
CryptoPunks come to life on Tiffany & Co pendants
Tiffany & Co has partnered with blockchain infrastructure company Chain to create custom pendants and NFTiffs
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Andreas Kronthaler’s costume jewellery for Vivienne Westwood is fun, flirty and fabulous
Andreas Kronthaler’s new jewellery draws on romantic and theatrical motifs
By Hannah Silver Last updated