Naturally formed crystals have been used to create beautiful and exotic pieces of jewelry for thousands of years, probably far earlier than we could even imagine. Many cultures have even claimed that they have mystical properties that can improve the wearer’s health, offer spiritual protections and guidance or enhance their life in some measurable way. Clearly it isn’t really necessary to believe in magic in order to fully appreciate jewelry designed using crystals, as the natural beauty is obvious. But for those that do believe in the magical properties of crystals, jewelry made from them can often take on powerful symbolic roles in their lives, and become important sources of inspiration and focus.
For Williamsburg-based artist and designer Wynn Mustin, crystals were an obvious design medium for her to explore. However, rather than use naturally occurring crystal formations, Mustin and her project’s creative director Abi Laurel chose to use 3D printed crystals. According to Mustin, her STONEDALONE line of jewelry is actually dependent on the 3D printed properties of the printed crystals because they will help the wearer create a harmony between digital fabrication technologies and the spirituality of handcrafted jewelry. It is possible, according to Laurel, that the 3D printed crystals actually assist helpful spirits with travelling along the path of technological success.
The STONEDALONE line of jewelry includes crystal-based rings, necklaces, and other wearable accessories that mix occult powers and 3D printing technology. Specifically, according to Mustin, the color of the 3D printed jewelry will offer wearers “cyber mystical properties” that will actually grant specific powers based on the color of the jewelry to the wearer. For instance, the crystal samples that are 3D printed in orange materials will give users a lot of followers and likes on social media outlets, while the purple crystal offers users the ability to “look Instagram filtered IRL” all the time, which granted doesn’t sound like a particularly challenging endeavor.
“The inspiration for STONEDALONE was born out of a long meditation and deep personal connection with the ether. I was sent energies by the universe that revealed a confused state of the relationship between human spirit and technology. I believe I was called to this purpose as a child of the Internet Age and because of my involvement with the occult. After I was called to this purpose, my journey with digital fabrication began, and I learned to invoke protective talismans through my oracle the Makerbot,” Mustin recently told Vice Magazine as part of their Creators Project.
Mustin’s work, produced on a MakerBot Replicator 5th Generation, is typically shown off at large-scale exhibits. The STONEDALONE 3D Printed Jewelry product line is actually all part of her ambitious master’s thesis project for the school she is attending. Mustin is currently seeking her MFA in the Design & Technology program at Parsons, and the first line of 3D printed products includes several rings, necklaces and hairclip charms, all made from 3D printed crystals. You can purchase your own copies from the Mustin’s 3D printed STONEDALONE line of jewelry on their website.
You can see some video of the STONEDALONE jewelry being shown off:
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