Chain | Whet Nail Jewelry

Deconstructed cable chain welded directly to the nail’s contour. Individual links are displaced and compressed, disrupting linear continuity while retaining structural tension. The clasp is separated but remains attached, preserving function as artifact rather than mechanism. The underlying nail surface is hand-hammered, producing an irregular relief that references carved ornamental frames and tool-worked historical metal surfaces.

Whet nail jewelry collection featuring five custom nail pieces

Seal

Relief surface derived from the logic of a Middle Assyrian cylinder seal impression. The carved pattern references pressure, repetition, and registration rather than narrative imagery. A central onyx stone is set in a claw mount within a star-shaped opening, partially recessed into the form. Enamel detailing anchors an arrowhead motif beneath the stone, merging ritual symbolism with tool-based geometry.

Details across each nail are treated as a record of process rather than decoration. Surfaces retain evidence of pressure, alignment, and handwork, allowing irregularities to remain legible. Edges are sharpened, compressed, or layered to emphasize structure and restraint over finish. Each nail resolves through accumulation and reduction, reinforcing the brand’s focus on intention, durability, and controlled form.

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Plates

Layered metal plates arranged across the nail surface, referencing scale armor used in ancient Assyrian protective systems. The overlapping structure suggests flexibility under compression, balancing coverage with movement. Plate edges are left intentionally uneven, emphasizing accumulation rather than symmetry. A 14k gold border defines the nail base, separating the dense surface field from the underlying form.

Sludge

Black enamel set into a sterling silver structure, applied in controlled pools and vertical drips. The surface reads as weighted and viscous, with enamel accumulating unevenly as it moves downward. A thin enamel trace follows the perimeter, reinforcing containment and flow. Three raised silver nodes emerge at the nail bed, positioned to register as either sediment buildup or exposed anchors beneath the surface.

The name Whet refers to the act of sharpening a blade. The association is both physical and conceptual: nails as edges, points, and instruments rather than decoration. Surface treatments emphasize compression, pressure, erosion, and accumulation ... processes more commonly associated with metalwork, carving, and geology than cosmetic practice. Whet positions nail jewelry as a durable alternative to acrylic and gel systems, rejecting disposability in favor of permanence and repair. Each piece is designed to age, mark, and carry evidence of use. Wear is not concealed but integrated into the object’s surface.

Widow

A sculptural nail form organized around enclosure and void. The upper section features a radial lattice opening, referencing architectural grilles and ceremonial apertures. A recessed ruby sits beneath the surface, visible but partially obscured. The body is heavily worked, with compressed and eroded textures that suggest geological pressure and ornamental decay. Black enamel fills the lower cavity, forming a dense, light-absorbing field that seals the object.

Whet produces sculptural nail jewelry designed to be worn as objects rather than applied as temporary surface treatments. Each piece is fabricated as a discrete metal form, intended to function independently or as part of a composed set. The nails operate at the scale of adornment but are constructed with the logic of tools, armor, and architectural detail. Collections are produced in response to demand and fabricated to order. This approach limits excess, preserves material intention, and maintains the value of each piece as a considered object rather than a seasonal product. Individual nails may be worn as singular accents or assembled into sets, allowing the wearer to control density, repetition, and visual weight.

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