According to the African-American traditional folk magic practice known as Hoodoo, bones are like catnip to capricious spirits whose powers let them rain misfortune or bestow good luck on those who summon them.
Exploring this angelic / demonic divide, London-based jeweller Patricia Nicolas's latest collection - the aptly titled Rebellion and Bones - comprises a series of eye-catching pieces whose articulated construction and bone-based centrepieces are sure to win it an army of fans.
Featuring a mix of materials that includes chunky curb chains, gold plated bones, dainty stars, horse head charms, Swarovski pearls, neon cords and - our favourites - an on-all-fours skeleton and crystal encrusted safety pin clasps, the overall effect is, according to Nicolas "perfectly rock and roll".
When not working on her collections, or plotting new ones, Spanish-born Nicolas - whose family has been in the jewellery business since 1945 - writes a popular blog for Vogue Espana and was recently heralded by the magazine as one of Spain's new generation of It girls.
With a starring role in the Freedom at Topshop jewellery boutique also in the offing right now, it would seem that Nicolas' bones are most definitely of the 'good luck' variety.
