If you don’t immediately recognize the exquisite AURYN amulet pictured above, get out from my sight and never come back. For serious.

… Oh good, you’re still here! For those of us who grew up on the wealth of fantasy films released in the 1980s, the Neverending Story “orin” necklace (as its often misspelled) is an unmistakable symbol of all things Fantasia. Worn by Atreyu (excuse me whilst my inner 8 year old swoons), the AURYN amulet guides him on his quest to save the creatures of Fantasia from “The Nothing”, a void-like plague that consumes everything in its path.

In the book version of The Neverending Story, AURYN grants wishes and simultaneously drains memories from its keeper, Bastian. But while this incredible replica by Plumevine may not offer the same powers, it’s absolutely captivating to behold. Hand-carved and painted from resin clay, the amulet’s detail is stunning – from the lustrous, metal-like paints, to the dual-toned chatons used for the serpent eyes, to the antique look of the included brass-tone chain. Sadly, the original AURYN amulet has sold, but Plumevine offers other similarly inspired designs (though it’s likely another AURYN replica will be listed soon). This is one truly unique item that any Neverending Story fan would treasure!

  Plumevine AURYN Designs ($140 and up)

     

Aliens are such sly buggers. They stealthily swarm into our atmosphere, confounding us with mysterious lights in the night sky and leaving eerie crop circles in our fields by day. But to what end? I’ll admit: inspiring conspiracy theories in their notoriously suggestible human friends must be a hoot, but surely there’s a greater plan afoot?

If you believe the stories told by Masquefaire’s spaceship earrings, the message is clear: it’s not us they’re after. But our livestock, automobiles and extinct species? Beam ‘em up, Scotty!

I can’t get enough of these ever-so cheeky and whimsically freaky earrings; makes me long for the ’80s, when you could barely last a day without hearing someone using that classic catchphrase, “where’s the beef?” If I’d only had a pair of these alien earrings, I’d touch them softly, then cast a furtive glance at the asker, a finger pointed solemnly toward the sky.

The truth is out there. ;)

  Alien Abduction Earrings ($14 and up)

Betcha never thought that a bespectacled belle from galaxies far, far away could be so adorably kawaii! The geek alien necklace by Antisparkle Apparel is perfect for a Sci-Fi Sally no matter her age; I can see this hanging ’round the neck of a 10 year old just as easily as one a few years (okay, decades) her senior. The delicate pink ball chain gives the girlie alien charm a sweetly feminine touch that seems to say:

“Come closer! I promise won’t bite, or even harvest your organs for intergalactic scientific research … much.” =^_^=

  Geek Alien Necklace ($12)

With technology developing so fast these days, bracelets that consist of thin chains, annoying rusty clasps, and small, easily removed beads are becoming old hat. The geeky jewelry wearing public craves something edgy – something hip and electronic. I think this amazing little bracelet does just the trick. It features sterling silver findings and green malachite beads, but it’s true appeal is that it’s made from real circuit boards, making it a great gift and fashionable must-have for any geek girl in your life. It could be worn during a formal event for a touch of geek chic, on a normal hum-drum day, in the bedroom, or during a rigorous game of Minecraft. The possibilities are endless! And if that isn’t enough, the copper on the circuit boards is given a special coating so it will keep its shine. Think of it as an amazing way to look nerdy and trendy … and maybe to send a flash of light into the eyes of people you don’t like. A real triple threat!

  Dark Green Circuit Bracelet ($28)

Ever played The Sims and wished that life could be controlled by a click? Are you a fan of every point-and-click game you can think of? Wish you could run around and physically click on things just like some kind of realistic video game character? Well you’ll probably get some strange looks and end up in some sort of wacky situation for doing so, but now you can have it your way! This adorable 8-bit mouse cursor necklace is just the thing to satisfy mid-day clicking urges, as well as flaunt your love for arrows and/or mice. You could also walk around pretending somebody is controlling you with the arrow and insist that any groping you do is simply beyond your control. Or if groping isn’t your thing, just “click” on a few people until one of them tells you the information you need to continue your quest.

Or, y’know … until they threaten to call the cops.

  Mouse Cursor Arrow Necklace ($14)

Gamers speak a unique, funny love language. I’ve seen things lost in translation that tear asunder the burgeoning love between a hardcore gamer and an ardent, disillusioned anti-gaming zealot. But I know one couple personally who has been brought together by the hum of a PS3′s fan and a Vizio flat-screen’s soft glow. She’ll burrow her head betwixt his arms and put her ear to his heart, delighting in his playing, and all the while, he never need lift a thumb or miss a beat. Her domestic bliss dream is her own pink PS3 controller, side-by-side with her hard-gamin’ man’s own black DualShock.

While understanding a love for gaming comes easy to me, jewelry’s always been more difficult to discern. For all the beauty in the polishing and cutting of stones; the molding of lovely and intricate ring fittings; I see so few pieces that really say anything about the pair’s love. But unlike 99 percent of what shines so pretty beneath Kay, Zales and Jared’s felt-lined display cases (a percentage you can absolutely trust, because I made it up), these video game controller rings are custom-made in the color of your choice, a nicely detailed replica Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 controller atop a polymer ring on an adjustable silver-tone base. Make the baubles your own in the color or your choosing – black, white, pink, blue, green or red.

Does your lady love rock your Little Big Planet? Are you her Master Chief? Then both of you, split the difference! Wear a controller for each finger. Geek love PWNS fandom lines hard. Remember, you’ve truly got a one-up on those couples on the outside looking in: you’re not just wearing a controller, you’re wearing the most identifiable symbol of something that drew you both together.

That kind of lovin’ is so next-gen. [via Geek Crafts]

  PS3 and Xbox 360 Controller Rings ($10)

I heard an interesting Female Truth™ recently that made me laugh; I think it may have been on The Office, which of course instantly raises its genius-ability. But to paraphrase, it went something like this: “Women don’t particularly like heart-shaped jewelry, and they never buy it for themselves. Therefore, wehenver you see a woman wearing a heart-shaped pendant, ring, etc, it’s almost a guarantee that a man bought it for her.” And as a personage of the female persuasion, I can confirm that this is right on the money. The thing is though, women are also well aware that a guy won’t buy you heart-shaped jewelry unless his feelings for you are SRS BZNS. And upon receiving said jewelry, we get all ooh’y and ahh’y on the inside – even if it’s not necessarily something we’d buy for ourselves. So where’s the common ground? Enter the utterly nerdorable Lego Heart Necklace!

   

This, my geeky friends, is what a heart necklace should look like: simple, quirky, and with a nostalgic twist. And the two pendant pieces of this Lego necklace not only form the heart shape, but because they are simply snapped together, the pendant also acts as the clasp. So smart! A sweet and affordable way to show that new lady in your life that you’d like to build a bond, assemble a relationship with her. *Grin* Oh if you think that’s bad, I’ve even come up with a poem to go with:

Sugar is sweet
Lemons are tart
I give you this gift
Cos I can’t Lego of your heart

$20 royalties per use, folks. Yes, I accept personal checks. ;)

  Red Heart Necklace ($14) and Black Heart Necklace ($14)

  

I have a confession to make: when I initially spied this wickedly cool octopus ring, the first thing to come to mind was shokushu goukan. (Google that at your own peril, gentle readers!) But after that “tasty” revelation, I was immediately struck by how genuinely unique and alluring this ring is in all its bizarre beauty. Each octopus ring is handcrafted from a sculpture that was cast using parts of an actual baby octopus that the artisan’s grandmother found and saved. Wild, right? And that’s not the only recycling that goes into this ring: each one is crafted with re-purposed sterling silver that’s been oxidized black to give it a rich, deep luster.

Jewelry items that double as a “conversation pieces” are a dime a dozen these days, but you can virtually guarantee that this black silver octopus ring will be one of a kind. So why not take a walk on the wild(life) side?

  Black Silver Tentacles Ring ($200)

  

I had a chat the other day with a friend whom I affectionately refer to as my Co-Luddite. Although neither of us truly oppose technological progress, we both seem to be way behind the times when it comes to upgrading or owning key pieces of personal tech. In this case, we were grumping about our lack of smartphones – all the rage these days, even if we don’t really care for all the fancy-pants stuff they do. Most notably, the ubiquitous camera phone, which it seems nearly possible to find a mobile lacking anymore.

While I do own a standalone digital camera (which is at least 5 years old, of course!) I still have fond memories of growing up with my parents’ Polaroid camera and its endlessly fascinating “magic paper”. Standing there rapt, watching as the image slowly developed, regarding it as some kind of curious phenomenon. That’s why I love the Polaroid photo necklace pendant with its little heart jewel; a sweet tribute to picture takin’ technology of yesteryear. Sabrina’s Charms also makes some adorable vintage soda pop earrings, which bring back memories of swilling soda in the hot summers of my 1980s childhood. *Wistful Sigh* I’d better end this quick, before I start singing about misty, watercolored memories …

I Heart Polaroids Necklace ($15)

 

When I was a kid, I used to watch The Weather Channel and make up lyrics to the muzak tunes that would underscore my local forecast. (Hey, I embrace my dorknicity!) But weather-inspired crooning aside, I’ve always been fascinated with meteorology, and at one time contemplated going into the field. But then came 8th grade Earth Science, wherein I learned that I had way more fun stomping around in rain puddles than learning about cumulus cloud mamba-jamba.

Now that I’m living in Arizona, which is lucky to see 20 or so rainy days per year, I enjoy inclement weather even more – so these adorably weather themed jewelry pieces really appeal to me. I love the delicate, cascading chain rain of the silver cloud necklace, and the meteorologist weather necklace is both feminine and edgy with its cloudy charms. You can have your Earth SCIENCE! – and wear it too.

Elements of Nature Cloud Necklace ($39.99)

Meteorologist Necklace ($42.99)