Justin Siow Jewellery Guide
MEET JUSTIN SIOW
Justin Siow is an Australian jeweller known for transforming flat sheets of titanium into highly detailed three-dimensional lapel pins. His work combines drawing, engineering, precision cutting and metal folding, resulting in jewellery that feels closer to miniature sculpture than a conventional accessory.
The Justin Siow collection at Lord Coconut includes crabs, lobsters, beetles, stag beetles and scorpions. Each piece begins as a single sheet of titanium, which Justin hand-cuts, folds and heat-treats to create its final form and colour.
This technique requires exceptional control. Every line, cut and fold must be planned in advance because the finished design depends on the original sheet remaining connected as it is transformed into a recognisable animal.
MADE FROM ONE SHEET OF TITANIUM
One of the most remarkable features of Justin Siow’s work is that each piece is formed from a single sheet of titanium rather than assembled from many separate components.
The design is first resolved as a flat pattern. Justin then cuts the outline and internal details before carefully folding sections of the metal to create legs, claws, wings, shells and body forms.
This is far more complex than simply cutting a flat silhouette. The original drawing must anticipate how the metal will behave once it is bent into three dimensions. A small error in proportion, placement or angle can affect the balance of the entire piece.
The result is jewellery that reveals more detail the longer it is examined. From the front, the animal is immediately recognisable. From the side, the folds and raised sections show how a flat sheet has been transformed into a sculptural object.
WHY TITANIUM?
Titanium is central to Justin’s work because it combines strength, light weight and the ability to develop vivid surface colours through heat treatment.
Its strength allows the folded forms to hold their shape, while its relatively light weight makes even detailed lapel pins comfortable to wear on a jacket.
Titanium also has a naturally contemporary grey tone. When heated under controlled conditions, the metal develops an oxide layer that changes how light reflects from its surface. This can produce shades of blue, purple, bronze, gold and green without using paint or enamel.
The colour is part of the metal’s surface rather than a separate decorative coating. Slight variations may occur because each piece is individually heated and finished by hand.
COLOUR CREATED THROUGH HEAT
The colour in Justin Siow’s titanium jewellery is created through controlled heat treatment. As the temperature changes, the oxide layer on the surface of the titanium becomes thicker, producing different visible colours.
This process requires experience because the colour can change quickly as the metal heats. Justin must judge the temperature carefully while also considering how the colour will work with the shape and character of the animal.
A blue crab may feel bright and energetic, while a bronze or purple beetle can have a darker, more mechanical character. The colour is not added simply for decoration; it becomes part of the design.
Because each piece is treated individually, no two will be perfectly identical. That variation is part of the appeal of handmade titanium jewellery.
INSECTS AND CRUSTACEANS AS WEARABLE SCULPTURE
Justin’s subjects are drawn from insects and crustaceans with strong natural structures. Beetles, crabs, lobsters and scorpions all have shells, legs, claws or segmented bodies that translate effectively into folded metal.
These forms also suit Justin’s technique because they can be understood through a combination of outline, symmetry and carefully placed folds.
The designs are detailed without becoming literal replicas. Justin reduces each animal to the shapes and features needed to make it recognisable while preserving the character of the original creature.
This balance between observation and abstraction gives the jewellery a contemporary design quality. The pieces appeal to customers interested in nature, entomology and marine life, but also to those who enjoy engineering, model-making and technical craftsmanship.
CRAB AND LOBSTER LAPEL PINS
The crab and lobster designs are among the most visually striking pieces in the collection. Their claws, legs and curved shells create strong three-dimensional forms while still remaining wearable.
The Hermit Crab lapel pin combines a detailed titanium body with a shell form, while the Lobster lapel pin uses extended claws and antennae to create a broader silhouette.
The Blue Swimmer Crab design introduces vivid colour and is particularly suitable for someone with a connection to the coast, fishing, marine life or Australian beaches.
These pieces can be worn for formal events, weddings or dinners, but they also work as distinctive personal accessories on a less traditional jacket.
BEETLES AND SCORPIONS
Beetles are naturally suited to Justin’s work because their segmented bodies, shells and legs can be expressed through cutting and folding.
The collection includes longhorn beetles, stag beetles and Christmas beetles. Each has a different shape and personality, from the extended antennae of the longhorn beetle to the stronger jaws of the stag beetle.
The Scorpion lapel pin has a darker and more dramatic character. Its tail, claws and body are created through carefully folded sections of titanium, making it especially appealing to customers who prefer jewellery with a sharper edge.
These designs make memorable gifts for insect collectors, scientists, naturalists, gardeners and anyone who has a particular connection to the animal represented.
WHY THE TECHNIQUE IS SO DIFFICULT
Justin’s process combines several disciplines at once. The design must work as a drawing, a cutting pattern, a folding plan and a finished piece of jewellery.
The titanium cannot simply be reshaped repeatedly without consequence. Each fold needs to be placed accurately, and the surrounding metal must remain strong enough to support the final structure.
The scale adds another level of difficulty. Small legs, claws and antennae must be shaped precisely without losing the strength needed for the piece to be worn safely.
Very few jewellers work with this technique at Justin’s level. His ability to create expressive three-dimensional animals from a single sheet of titanium reflects years of practice and a deep understanding of both design and material behaviour.
CHOOSING A JUSTIN SIOW LAPEL PIN
The best design is often the animal that connects most strongly with the wearer.
A crab or lobster may suit someone who lives near the coast, enjoys fishing or works with marine environments. A beetle may appeal to a collector, gardener or someone interested in natural history. A scorpion can suit a wearer looking for something bolder and less conventional.
Colour is another consideration. Blue and purple titanium can add a strong accent to navy, charcoal, black or white clothing, while bronze and gold tones tend to feel warmer and more understated.
Because the pieces are lightweight, they can be worn on suit jackets, blazers and other structured garments without feeling excessively heavy.
A LAPEL PIN THAT STARTS CONVERSATIONS
Justin Siow’s work attracts attention because the construction is not immediately obvious. Customers often notice the animal first, then realise that the entire form has been cut and folded from one sheet of titanium.
That discovery gives the jewellery a natural conversation point without relying on novelty or exaggeration.
The designs are especially suited to someone who enjoys wearing an accessory with a story behind it. They can also make meaningful gifts for engineers, designers, scientists, artists and people working in fields connected to the natural world.
HANDMADE AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY
Every Justin Siow piece is handmade in Australia. The cutting, folding, heat treatment and finishing are completed individually rather than produced through an automated mass-manufacturing process.
This means small differences in shape and colour may occur. These variations are part of the character of the work and demonstrate that each piece has passed through the jeweller’s hands.
Buying handmade jewellery also allows customers to know who created the piece and understand the technique behind it. In Justin’s work, the process is not hidden; it is central to the appeal of the finished design.
WHY BUY JUSTIN SIOW JEWELLERY FROM LORD COCONUT?
Lord Coconut specialises in Australian-made men’s jewellery created by independent jewellers. Justin Siow’s collection offers something genuinely different from conventional lapel pins, with every design reflecting a highly specialised technique and a clear connection to its maker.
Each piece is presented with the artist, material and process identified, helping customers understand why the jewellery is unusual and how it has been made.
Whether chosen for a wedding, formal event, personal collection or distinctive Australian-made gift, Justin Siow’s titanium lapel pins combine technical skill, natural inspiration and miniature sculptural design.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
Explore the complete Justin Siow collection, browse more Australian-made lapel pins, or discover Lord Coconut’s wider range of handmade men’s jewellery created by independent Australian jewellers.