Everybody loves rock 'n' roll. It is not just a music genre, it is a lifestyle. If you're partying hard, riding mean machines, wearing proper outfits and jewelry, and have a badass attitude, you live your life in the rock 'n' roll way. But what if you'd like to express your admiration for rock music and its idols without plunging headlong into the turbulent waters of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll? In this case, you can't do without rock 'n' roll jewelry. 

The greatest thing about it is that it looks awesome not only with rock-inspired outfits but also with casual attire. It comes as no surprise that so many people introduce rock 'n' roll trinkets into their style - silver cross rocker earrings or a burly necklace is capable of taking your appeal up a notch. But rocker jewelry is more than a look and a feel, it is also history and significance. If you'd like to learn more about this jewelry style, you're in the right place.

Created by Bikers, Refined by Rockers

The pioneers in masculine badass jewelry intended for men are bikers. At first, their gears had a solely protective-slash-practical purpose. But as soon as they discovered Mexican rings, there was no going back. Every self-respected motorcyclist found his duty to flaunt as many ornaments as possible. There was little practical sense in wearing multiple rings and necklaces (although some used them in fistfights as weapons) but accessorizing endeavors were remarkably adept at attraction grabbing. 

Needless to say, biker and rocker subcultures have much in common. Riders enjoy rock, rockers love riding two-wheelers. Biker jewelry freely floated between the two communities. Since the main purpose of these trinkets is to produce an impact, rockers borrowed this style almost in its entirety. When being combined with cool-looking leather outfits, ripped jeans, shades, and glovelettes, bling bling became a felicitous finishing touch for their image. 

While rockers weren't the ones who originated their signature style, they did put forth some effort to give it at least a dash of individuality. Music fans and those who create this music still wear crosses and skulls, just like bikers, but along with that, they left plenty of room for exclusive rock 'n' roll symbolism. 

Unique Symbolism

Men's Rock 'n' roll rings pulled mythology and symbolism from everywhere. The largest chunk belongs to the symbolism they share with bikers - skulls, skeletons, demonic creatures, flames, eagles, various totem animals, etc. But let's put aside the ideas they took from the two-wheeled brethren and focus on the features of their own invention instead. 

Gothic style. This fashion trend evolved under the influence of the gothic rock style, which in turn was inspired by the dark novels of Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, and other prominent figures of Gothic literature. While biker-slash-rocker symbolism is based on the ideas of brutality and masculinity, Gothic adheres to mysticism, mystery, and even otherworldliness. Characters of Gothic novels - bats transforming into vampires, werewolves, demonic entities, and many others - come to life in silver rings and pendants. In addition, Gothic balances on the brink of Satanic and Pagan, offering such motifs as pictograms, demons and deities, inverted crosses, etc. Among other things, Gothic doesn't shy to co-opt other cultures - it is due to this subculture the ancient Egyptian symbol Ankh became a visiting card of grim-looking and black-wearing individuals.

Music symbolism. Surely enough, rock as a music style couldn't ignore music itself. Therefore, it found a clever way to introduce numerous symbols and silhouettes associated with music into body ornaments. Notes, guitars, microphones, vinyl records, cassettes, boomboxes, headphones, and all this jazz are unique home-grown symbols of the rock 'n' roll community. In addition, rings, pendants, bracelets, and whatnot often carry the attributes of celebrity lifestyle such as stars, dollar signs, awards, etc.

Metal-Forged Art

Just like rock is associated with heavy stuff, rock 'n' roll jewelry is the epitome of heavy-dutiness. The metals that rock 'n' roll fans worship as almost sacred are silver and steel. Steel is practical, inexpensive, and easy-to-maintain but it doesn't hold a candle to silver in terms of significance. Since ancient times, it has been known for healing properties (people believe that it is able to protect against diseases and evil spirits). Thanks to the Gothic subculture, it also acquired a mystical meaning. Accordingly, it became the patron saint of the night and all creatures hiding in the shadows. Since many consider rock to be ungodly, the mystical meaning suits rock jewelry pretty well.

Despite the fact that rockers boldly flaunt symbols of money and fame, they avoid luxury metals such as gold or platinum. Again, the influence of the biker subculture is fairly noticeable in their preferences. Motorcyclists consider gold too ostentatious. They prefer something more mundane yet noble. Rockers share the same views and, therefore, their wardrobes abound in white metals. Plus, silver and the like look awesome with black leather outfits.

Speaking of leather, this is perhaps the second most popular material in rock 'n' roll jewelry after metals. Leather necklaces, bracelets, bandanas, and belts are an organic and integral part of rock 'n' roll star image. So if you feel indifferent toward metals, leather pieces are a worthy alternative.