CollectionsAug 06, 2024
Lindsey Scoggins Studio Releases ‘Vices and Reverberations’ CollectionCollectionsAug 08, 2024
Chris Ploof’s New Collections Bring the Outdoors to Fine Jewelry
One features leather sourced from invasive species and the other Damascus steel bicycle chains.
The new pieces from Chris Ploof’s capsule collections are unisex but designed with male jewelry trends in mind.
Leominster, Mass.—Chris Ploof Designs has released two new capsule collections, “Leather and Steel” and “Precious Links.”
Leather and Steel is a series of 10 cuff and dog tag designs made from leather inlayed into Damascus stainless steel.
“I love mixing materials, especially things that others have not yet put together,” said Chris Ploof, designer and founder of the namesake brand.
The leather is from Inversa Leathers, a company that sources the material from invasive species, including python, dragonfin, and lionfish.
Inversa Leathers explains on its website that “unchecked invasive species are a driving force in about 60 percent of today’s species extinctions and cause $423 billion in annual damages around the planet.”
It sources these leathers as a byproduct of ecosystem restoration.
“It fits right in with our ethic of trying to make the planet better every day. We are using leather that’s a byproduct of harvesting invasive species for food production,” said Ploof.
Leather and Steel is a series of 10 cuff and dog tag designs made from leather inlayed into Damascus stainless steel.
“I love mixing materials, especially things that others have not yet put together,” said Chris Ploof, designer and founder of the namesake brand.
The leather is from Inversa Leathers, a company that sources the material from invasive species, including python, dragonfin, and lionfish.
Inversa Leathers explains on its website that “unchecked invasive species are a driving force in about 60 percent of today’s species extinctions and cause $423 billion in annual damages around the planet.”
It sources these leathers as a byproduct of ecosystem restoration.
“It fits right in with our ethic of trying to make the planet better every day. We are using leather that’s a byproduct of harvesting invasive species for food production,” said Ploof.
Chris Ploof’s cuff bracelet with an Inversa Leathers dragonfin inlay in Damascus stainless steel ($990)
A hand-forged Damascus stainless steel dog tag pendant with Inversa Leathers python inlay ($759)
Black Inversa Leathers lionfish inlayed in a Damascus stainless steel cuff ($990)
Ploof’s second capsule collection, Precious Links, is centered around bicycle chain links.
Throughout the collection’s seven pieces, he uses sterling silver, stainless steel, palladium 500, 18-karat yellow gold, and 14-karat red gold to create these bracelets.
“As an avid cyclist and former bicycle mechanic, these bike chain styles feel like part of my DNA,” said Ploof.
“I also love a good challenge. I started with the goal of designing a cool bracelet clasp that was unique to us. The shape was influenced by bike chains, naturally, and the bracelets grew out of that.”
A hand-forged bike chain link bracelet made from Damascus stainless steel ($1,200)
The textured bicycle chain link bracelet in silver ($1,210)
The bicycle chain link bracelet in 22-karat gold and silver ($3,410)
The leather inlay bracelets and necklaces range from $750 to $1,000, while the bike chain bracelets go for $3,400 to $5,500, with every piece hand-forged in Ploof’s solar-powered studio in Central Massachusetts.
The Leather and Steel and Precious Links capsule collections are both available on Chris Ploof Designs’ website.
More on Collections
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
