Pennies are as English as it comes. Nearly every English saying involves either spending one or saving one (my Granny basically only speaks in penny phrases). You counted out pocketfuls at the sweet shop when you were little. And the Queen herself is embossed in the copper of each one. So when we asked British jewelry designer Husam el Odeh to create a special piece for OC London, it makes sense that he began with the little 1p coin.

"Pennies used to be made of copper," Husam explains, "They are still in circulation but have since been replaced by copper-plated steel. We sifted through the studio's penny jar with a magnet, so you might notice the queen being younger on my pennies." Strung from a piece of blue twine, the humble penny becomes a very English alternative to the blue ribbon. But the real winner? A diamond eye! Husam has inlaid each necklace with a single diamond for a precious, patriotic wink. "I have used coins quite a lot but always wanted to make something about the Queen, and since it's the Diamond Jubilee, what better way to deface them than with a diamond?"

Shop Husam el Odeh at OC London, our 10 Greene Street store in NYC, and our online London pop-up!


FILED UNDER: OC London , OC exclusive , Husam el Odeh