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