# "Human Ivory" Jewelry Wearable Fingernail and Toenail Sculptures by Rachel Case By Pearl | Published 2010-02-18 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fingernail-jewelry References: [beadinggem](http://www.beadinggem.com/2010/02/human-ivory-jewelry-fingernail-and.html) & [thatwomanmakescrazyart](http://www.thatwomanmakescrazyart.com/) Rachel Case is an artist who makes [unusual jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organicinspired-jewelry). How unusual? Try fingernail and toenail clippings. She actually sculpts them into little designs--usually skeletal hands, fish, bugs and animal paws and [embeds them into resin](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-hardware) with amber backings. These make for jewelry that will either gross you out or make you gape--or perhaps entice you to send her your own clippings for custom work? Rachel Case calls them 'human ivory' although the clippings are neither bone or teeth. But fingernails and toenails are extensions of our skeletons. The color also reminds her of ivory. This New Jersey-based artist sells her work in a number of places including the Mutter Museum at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, which happens to have the oldest collection of human anatomical oddities. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 81% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/jewelry) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Wearable Sculpture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the concept of using unconventional materials in jewelry design to create unique and personalized wearable sculptures. - **Customized Jewelry:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Capitalize on the growing demand for personalized and sentimental jewelry by offering custom-made pieces using materials provided by the customers. - **Alternative Ivory:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop sustainable alternatives to traditional ivory by leveraging unconventional materials like fingernail and toenail clippings to create eco-friendly jewelry. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Sculpture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine traditional sculpting techniques with unconventional materials to create unique and thought-provoking artwork. - **Jewelry Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Redefine the boundaries of traditional jewelry design by incorporating unconventional materials and pushing the boundaries of creativity. - **Sustainable Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace sustainable practices in the fashion industry by exploring innovative materials and manufacturing processes that reduce environmental impact. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bug-Inspired Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/murder-hornet-ring.md) - [Human Hair-Made Pots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/range-of-pots.md) - [Crime-Inspired Press-On Nails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aprs-x-liquid-death.md) - [Bread-Encrusted Gemstone Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rising-collection.md) - [Sculpturally Formed Jewelry Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyber-zombie.md) - [Wearable Sculptural Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dtcable-collection.md) - [Resin Hardware Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-hardware.md) - [Bone Powder-Made Home Fixtures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/souhaib-ghanmi.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md)