Can’t imagine your life without the roar of motors and hard rock? Do you require jewelry that screams that risk and speed are your middle names? Are you looking for a finishing touch to complete a unique look expressing your personality? Or maybe you need a gift for a man who has a strong spirit of rebellion, whose native element is heavy metal and motorcycles?
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions then you cannot do without wardrobe, accessories, and jewelry worthy of a true biker.
The look of a biker is the look of a strong and badass man (or a woman, because lady bikers also exist). Jewelry for bikers does not imply anything average, let alone glamorous. Metal and leather – these are the materials that best convey the spirit and nature of an avid rider. While the jewelry industry offers dozens of metals ranging from precious to not-so-precious, the world of biker jewelry takes only the following metals seriously.
Silver
Silver is available in a variety of alloys but bikers exclusively prefer the 925-carat blend, which is 92.5% pure silver and the rest is base metals. If there is more silver content, jewelry becomes too soft and supple, which is a no-go for a semi-nomadic lifestyle. If there is less silver, jewelry quickly turns dark (especially if it has to come in contact with sweat, dirt, oil, and God knows what else). So it appears that 925 silver, which is also known as sterling silver, is the best option for durable body ornaments.
Silver biker jewelry has a noble look, hypoallergenic qualities, and at the same time, it is very affordable. Many people attribute magical properties to silver, which are totally real for bike riders. Not for nothing do they believe that their silver skull rings can save them from premature death.
Surgical steel
It is a type of stainless steel that is widely used in biomedical applications. It does not disrupt biological processes in the human body, so the body does not reject it by the means of allergic reactions. If surgical steel is good for usage inside the body, why not use it outside? No sooner said than done. This type of steel is often utilized as entry-level jewelry, especially when it comes to earrings and items for piercing.
Steel is a harder and more durable material than silver. Biker’s rugged lifestyle is unlikely to leave dents or deep cuts on their rings. On top of that, steel is resistant to corrosion, it does not tarnish over time, and is not afraid of seawater and the sun. Products made of it have a unique artistic quality and are not inferior to products made of precious metals in the aesthetic aspect. While being almost like silver, they cost significantly cheaper. On the downside, steel is not a precious metal. It has no special value other than sentimental.
Tungsten
Tungsten is another base metal much loved by bikers. It is not noble but very beautiful, especially in black finish. A black ring is like the missing piece of a puzzle to complete the picture of a kick-ass biker. But if you don’t feel that black is your thing, you can opt for silvery or galvanized rings made of the same metal. The latter option is ideal for those individuals who enjoy adding a pop of color to the traditional biker look.
Apart from the aesthetic value, tungsten rings are known for their durability and hardness. It’s nearly impossible to scratch a ring like this, especially if it carries a brushed or tooled finish. This means your ring is going to look new after many years of harsh use. Like any other super-hard metal, tungsten is a little brittle, but if you’re not going to put it between a rock and a hard place, it’ll be fine.
What About Gold?
It’s true that you can find gold here and there in biker jewelry. However, the yellow metal never dominates the field. It can act as a sidekick, juxtaposition, or accent but it is rarely the main character. There are a few reasons why gold is inferior to silver in popularity. First and foremost, it is its price. Biker rings ought to be heavy and chunky and if they are made of expensive material, their price is going to be sky-high. Second, gold is associated with elitism, luxury, and even glamour, and these qualities just don’t feel right for motorcycle enthusiasts. Finally, motorcycle’s visible parts are either steel or chromed, i.e. they are white. Silver and steel blend well with these ports, gold – not so much.
Despite the
fact that bikers are indifferent to gold, they don’t mind wearing precious
stones. Of course, they don’t look like they are wearing maharajas treasures,
but red rubies in skull eyes or a beautiful black onyx in a signet ring are
more than fine.