Alternatives to good art?

[Manticore]

I think the key takeaway from this thread is that, at these rarified levels whether it's Derrick (Steel Flame), Ryk (Starlingear), or Josh (GA), you are buying into the maker's personality, skill, and personal experience. Therefore each brand exudes a particular style that is unique - an aesthetic fingerprint if you will. As @neph93 noted, nobody really does what they do and they are valued as such. I completely respect that the pricing can appear stratospheric at first but many of these items are aspirational purchases that you will wear quite frequently - becoming a part of you.

Sure, you can find replicas and knock-offs out there but then what's the point. Nobody truly needs any of this stuff so ideally save up if you can for what you want.

[neph93]

Well said @Manticore.  Very well said.

[Nik]

My maternal grandfather was a football coach in Minnesota in the 50’s and worked with a couple guys who had these fancy class rings from their university. My grandfather hadn’t attended university but still wanted a ring so he saved up and bought diamonds one at a time, then had them set into a silver ring that I’ve inherited. The saving up idea is cool because one day it might get passed down and mean something.

[neph93]

Unique ring. Their heirloom idea is a beautiful concept and this was an especially interesting story.

[phillyforager]

@Nkwkfld:

My maternal grandfather was a football coach in Minnesota in the 50’s and worked with a couple guys who had these fancy class rings from their university. My grandfather hadn’t attended university but still wanted a ring so he saved up and bought diamonds one at a time, then had them set into a silver ring that I’ve inherited. The saving up idea is cool because one day it might get passed down and mean something.

Awesome!

You'll probably be able to pass that down again at some point

Thank you for sharing

[DrPat]

Check out the collection on https://www.madlords.com/

The prices are similar to GA though.

[Butterfly]

Just want to point out that many GAH designs (especially early ones) are derivative of other LA-based jewellers such as Chrome Hearts, Lone Ones, Starlingear.

[Anesthetist]

@Butterfly Good Art predates Starlingear by a couple years AFAIK, but at any rate I think all these brands riff of each other.
What sets GAH apart to me is their gadgetry, fit/finish, and modularity. I have subsequently sold off my Gaboratory, King Baby, Bill Wall, and Starlingear stuff to fund more GoodArt. The other brands are all very good but Josh’s jewelry feels nicer in my hand.

[Giles]

@Butterfly said in Alternatives to good art?:

Just want to point out that many GAH designs (especially early ones) are derivative of other LA-based jewellers such as Chrome Hearts, Lone Ones, Starlingear.

To what end?

[Butterfly]

@Giles If people are looking for alternatives to Good Art then they can consider products from those brands.

[Butterfly]

@Anesthetist That's true and that's actually the aspect I appreciate most about GAH. From what I know though that's actually a more recent thing, their vintage designs don't have the same gadgetry or modularity aspect.