Introducing: Kipkalinka

I (Charlotte) have known Kipkalinka (Christine) for nearly 10 years. When Legend was first breaking away from traditional weddings and yearning to see a darker scene, Kipkalinka was one of the few wedding businesses out there showcasing gothic design. I was instantly in love with her signature tiny skull jewellery and reached out there and then.

We have worked together continuously over the last 10 years and Legend is the only stockist in the UK where you can see her work in person. Not only is her craftmanship exquisite, but her attention to detail and care is second to none; both in the physical aspects of your chosen jewellery, but also in the mindfulness and metaphysical aspects, if those are important to you.

Kipkalinka is based in Leipzig, Germany (those of you who travel to festivals will know Leipzig as the home of Wave-Gotik-Treffen) and is travelling to the UK specifically to join the Gothic Luxe Wedding Fair in Leeds on the 22nd January… you are very lucky indeed! So if you want to chat to Christine about specific gemstones or metals, or to even get the ball rolling on a unique design, THIS is your opportunity(… get your tickets here)

What do you do?

What you get from KIPKALINKA is true fine skull jewellery with a soul. Meticulously crafted works of art which are meant to establish bonds for eternity as wedding and engagement rings. Thus it is of the uttermost importance to me, that they are made to last and be true to you.

Durable metals like platinum and white gold give a sense of noble eternity and I am dedicated to put my extensive knowledge of gemstones in your service to find the jewels that speak to you.

My customers feel different from the crowd. Being neurodivergent, I know how lost we can feel in our otherness. My jewellery helps the strange and unusual to express their uniqueness in a subtle but unmistakable way. What looks like exquisite fine jewellery from afar turns out to have a secret mystery that the bearer is left to disclose only to the ones they let close enough.

Attention to detail is my unique superpower. Through the signature process of fabricating the master models in silver, they feature a level of accuracy you won’t find anywhere else. What makes me spend so much time on them, is my love for balanced proportions and organic beauty that can only be achieved when a steady hand and an artistic eye create together.

The point of jewellery in miniature is to bring you closer to yourself, to the core of your being through the act of focused observation of the piece. It is in fact a talismanic anchor to offer support protection while your’re living your most authentic self – every day.

I chose the skull as a central motive in my work, as it has several interesting layers of meaning. On a surface level the skull as a symbol of death is scary but also fascinating. To confront it can lead to a deeper appreciation of life and everything that lives. This blends into the cultural trophe of Memento Mori – remember you must die. The denotion of this phrase has varied greatly throughout history. I read it as a question: “What does really matter to me?“

To seal your wedding or engagement with an intricate skull ring can remind you of this question every day. Furthermore, it confirms that your union does really matter and inspires to act accordingly.

Love and death intertwine in some of the greatest love stories. Lasting beyond death, it can transcend our mortal cages of flesh. Read in this sense, the combination of skulls and gemstones conveys the duality of transience and eternity. Our mortal bodies being able to hold the divine light of love that shines beyond death.

Many of my rings are dedicated to dark goddesses and women of power from myth and lore. In this way I invite you to tie their stories into your own life. Id like to inspire you through these representations of the feminine beyond common stereotypes. If you wish so, my rings can serve to connect to them. They may even help you to establish a relationship with a deity for protection and guidance.

How did you get into this?

At the age of 15 I decided to become a goldsmith. It was my heart felt desire to pursue this creative and practical profession. The first classes I already took at grammar school and soon it will be 15 years since I graduated with craft certificate from a reknowned German Goldsmith school.

The professional occupation with jewellery made me sadly realise, how cheapish most goth and alternative jewellery was made back then. I thought that was a shame, since I know we are into this for life. During my apprenticeship I got the idea to make fine, lasting and well designed dark jewellery.

After a few years of working for other master goldsmiths and further studies, I released my first skull rings for women in 2013. They became an immediate success! Before, skull rings were a chunky thing for bikers and bad boys. I take quite some pride in being part of tearing this bulwark down. Women were yearning to express their bad ass attitude and love for the darkness in an elegant way. And that is why they love my work.

What’s the process of working with you?

I custom make each ring with you in mind, so don’t be shy to ask for a specific material or adjustment to my designs. You find a lot of variations in the customizer on my website. All of my rings can be made with the materials you see over there for my iconic WANDA engagement ring.

But it goes even further than that - I love it when you are specific about the gemstones you want. Gemology has always been my favourite subject and I know their physical properties just as well as their metaphysical. In the meaningful combination of metals and gems I find the greatest pleasure.

I offer you my guidance with this knowledge and I will also tell you what would not be the best gem choice for a ring you want to wear for years to come.

Over time, I’ve built a network of reputable gemstone and diamond traders and cutters where I source the fine quality gems I offer. After a first down-payment I will get a selection for you to pick your favourite. You get pictures of the stones and my recommendation.

For diamonds I offer a lot of options, too. From the classic white to fancy colours, black, salt and pepper or even ethical pre-loved stones – I will be by your side to find the right stone for you within the budget you name.

How soon do people need to book you?

We custom make each ring with you in mind! For this reason I do not create much stock. It would be a mission impossible with all the different options for gemstones and materials. My objective is to create the ring that truly speaks to you. So please, plan 3-6 weeks for existing models to be made for you.

Changing the shape of a setting for a gemstone or adjustments to an existing engagement ring are also possible. Add 2-3 weeks for them to my regular turnaround time. Generally aim to contact me as soon as possible, at least 2 -3 months before your wedding or engagement.

If you’d like to design a bespoke ring together with me, please contact me 3 - 4 months prior to the date you need it. To create a gothic wedding ring with my signature process of working directly in metal takes quite some time.

But always reach out anyways! I have made so many ring designs over the years, that you might already find what you’re looking for and we can adjust it for you easily.

What piece of advice would you give

Don’t care about conventions when choosing your wedding rings. They are a very personal item you’re going to see each day on your hands for years. You are really the only person to decide what’s the right thing for you.

Your proudest make/achievement

I am so proud of how much my customers love the pieces I created for them. That means a lot to me. Some of them have even become friends over time. It is my process of working with you to find out what you really want and get it right. When a thing I made becomes a talisman to another person and a part of their life – as a symbol of love or as a support to establish a deeper connection to your truest essence.

What do you love most?

I truly and deeply love gemstones and precious metals – the shine, the weight, the colours. It really is not just some bling, but a beautiful world of it’s own. They are the precious secrets from the depth I always felt drawn to. I come from a family of miners, maybe that plays a role :)

I also love the silence in my workshop, when I focus on crafting those tiny treasures. As a person on the spectrum, details make me truly happy. And I love when my customers receive what I made for them and it is exactly what or even more than they ever wished for.

It is touching to me to know you will wear a ring I made for many years and it means a lot to you. I am fascinated by the longevity of fine jewellery, all the things it sees, the memories it makes.

With time the piece gets charged with the feelings of the ones who own it. It is this ingredients of time which makes a difference. Given the object is made and treated well enough, it can survive centuries. Thus I feel the responsibility to provide that quality when I create it.