Personal Fears offers alt jewelry that breaks boundaries and embraces individuality. Drawing inspiration from subcultures like goth, punk, and grunge, our designs combine striking aesthetics with premium materials like stainless steel and sterling silver. Whether you’re drawn to bold statement pieces or subtle edgy accents, our collection transcends trends, offering inclusive, unisex styles for every expression of self. Explore jewelry that embodies the essence of alternative fashion—unconventional, high-quality, and unapologetically unique.
Why Choose
Personal Fears?
Buying jewelry online is scary. What if it doesn't fit? What if it's low-quality crap?? We hear you, and here's what we can promise:
Waterproof +
Tarnish-free
Our Jewelry will never rust, tarnish, or turn your skin green. Why? Because it's made of solid stainless steel, not chemical-plated brass like the other guys.
Hypoallergenic
Stainless Steel
Personal Fears uses the same ultra-pure grade steel as surgical tools. This allows for a metal that agrees with almost every skin-type.
Designed in NYC
Worn Worldwide
Inspired by the constant movement of the city, all of our pieces are meticulously designed at our flagship location in NYC's Lower East Side.
Virtually Indestructible
Go crazy and know your jewelry will be shining on the other side of whatever beating you can inflict on it.
Guaranteed for Life
We take pride in our work, and want you to also! That's why every stainless steel pieces comes with a lifetime warranty against breakage + defects.
Who wears alt jewelry!??
Alt jewelry is for anyone who values self-expression and bold, unique designs. It’s popular with people into goth, punk, grunge, and other edgy styles, as well as creatives and those who break away from the ordinary. With roots in DIY and experimental culture, it’s perfect for anyone who sees jewelry as a way to show off their individuality.
A Brief History of Alternative
and it's influence on Personal Fears
Alternative jewelry traces its origins to subcultures that rejected mainstream fashion and embraced bold self-expression. In the 1970s, punk rock popularized unconventional accessories made from everyday items like safety pins, chains, and padlocks, symbolizing rebellion and individuality. This DIY approach influenced goth and metal scenes, which added darker, more intricate elements like spikes, skulls, and occult motifs.
By the 1980s and 1990s, alternative jewelry expanded into grunge and rave cultures, incorporating raw, industrial materials like stainless steel and rubber, as well as neon and futuristic designs. As streetwear and counterculture movements evolved, alternative jewelry fused with skate and hip-hop aesthetics, leading to chunky chains, bold rings, and statement earrings.
Today, alternative jewelry is a dynamic mix of influences, blending punk, goth, cyber, and Y2K aesthetics with modern craftsmanship. It remains a symbol of self-expression, offering designs that stand out from conventional styles while staying deeply rooted in individuality and creativity.
As punk evolved, its jewelry expanded to include spiked chokers, studded bracelets, and heavy chain necklaces, drawing inspiration from bondage gear and adding a confrontational edge to the look. Black leather, stainless steel, and chrome became staple materials, reinforcing the tough, street-ready vibe. In the 1980s, goth and hardcore punk subgenres brought intricate crosses, skull motifs, and darker, more dramatic designs into the mix.
Today, punk jewelry retains its rebellious roots while being reimagined in high-fashion collections and streetwear. Modern punk styles blend spikes, studs, and chains with polished finishes, incorporating elements from goth, cyberpunk, and DIY aesthetics to appeal to a broader audience while staying true to the subculture’s defiant spirit.
