Chris Ploof’s New Collections Bring the Outdoors to Fine Jewelry

Leominster, Mass.—Chris Ploof Designs has released two new capsule collections, “Leather and Steel” and “Precious Links.”

Leather and Steel is a series of 10 cuff and dog tag designs made from leather inlayed into Damascus stainless steel.

“I love mixing materials, especially things that others have not yet put together,” said Chris Ploof, designer and founder of the namesake brand.

The leather is from Inversa Leathers, a company that sources the material from invasive species, including python, dragonfin, and lionfish.

Inversa Leathers explains on its website that “unchecked invasive species are a driving force in about 60 percent of today’s species extinctions and cause $423 billion in annual damages around the planet.”

It sources these leathers as a byproduct of ecosystem restoration.

“It fits right in with our ethic of trying to make the planet better every day. We are using leather that’s a byproduct of harvesting invasive species for food production,” said Ploof.

Ploof’s second capsule collection, Precious Links, is centered around bicycle chain links.  

Throughout the collection’s seven pieces, he uses sterling silver, stainless steel, palladium 500, 18-karat yellow gold, and 14-karat red gold to create these bracelets.

“As an avid cyclist and former bicycle mechanic, these bike chain styles feel like part of my DNA,” said Ploof.

“I also love a good challenge. I started with the goal of designing a cool bracelet clasp that was unique to us. The shape was influenced by bike chains, naturally, and the bracelets grew out of that.”

The leather inlay bracelets and necklaces range from $750 to $1,000, while the bike chain bracelets go for $3,400 to $5,500, with every piece hand-forged in Ploof’s solar-powered studio in Central Massachusetts. 

The Leather and Steel and Precious Links capsule collections are both available on Chris Ploof Designs’ website.