In the journal paper ‘Why Should Jewellers care about the Digital’ Koulidou discusses digital jewellery practice from a jeweller’s perspective. Published in Journal of Jewellery Research Vol.1, the paper presents a critical overview in relation to both jewellery practice and material culture through the lens of the digital. More specifically, this paper questions what it means to be human when our bodies are extended through augmented means.

The paper starts by analysing existing conceptions of digital jewellery as part of wearable technology and wearable heath technology and moves on to position digital jewellery as part of contemporary art jewellery practice through selected pieces of jewellery. In doing so, Koulidou highlights an extended palette of materiality through digital technologies and is cautious to consider this from the stance of a jeweller in relation to sensibilities towards the body, how we use artefacts to communicate with self and others, and how we make things that are personally meaningful.

Most of the digital devices in the market come with a set of expectations including: What does it do? How long does the battery last? How cutting edge is the technology? By contrast, this research offers a focus on atypical personal interactions with digital technology to address a different range of questions and potentially open up our expectations of what digital jewellery can be. This critical review of digital jewellery defines a need for a better understanding of the digital experiences with contemporary art jewellery, and reveals a rich conceptual design space.

The research provides a framework for understanding and conceptualising digital jewellery, and explores the poetic qualities of interaction with digital technologies and the self. Furthermore, Koulidou enquires as to how jewellery practices may enrich perspectives on designing wearables, marrying craft with technology, and personalisation of experiences.