Jesus Piece Jewelry Meaning, Top Brands for Hip Hop Style Pendants

The Meaning and Symbolism Behind Jesus Piece Jewelry

In recent years, "Jesus piece" jewelry featuring pendants of the face of Jesus Christ on chains and bracelets has skyrocketed in popularity. Musicians like Kanye West and athletes like Steph Curry have been seen sporting these shiny symbols of faith. But what is the meaning and history behind the Jesus piece craze?

Origins in Hip Hop Fashion

The Jesus piece first came onto the hip hop scene in the early 2000s. Rappers wanted to express their Christian faith through their outfits, so they started donning large diamond-encrusted pendants shaped like the face of Jesus on gold or platinum chains. This ostentatious religious jewelry allowed them to literally wear their belief around their necks.

One of the first to really popularize the Jesus piece in hip hop culture was rapper Kanye West. On his 2004 debut album "The College Dropout," West posed with a Jesus piece for the cover photo. Other rappers and musicians around that time also started wearing Jesus pendants to match the bling-focused aesthetics of hip hop fashion.

Modern Popularity Across Subcultures

While Jesus piece jewelry originated in hip hop, today it has crossed over into many other subcultures spanning music, sports, and faith. The accessibility and variety of Jesus pendants available online through popular brands like King Ice and Johnny Dang has helped fuel this expanded popularity.

In music beyond just rap, artists across genres like Justin Bieber, ASAP Rocky, and Tyler the Creator have been seen wearing Jesus pieces both on red carpets and during performances. For many musical artists today, these necklaces are both a symbol of faith as well as a fashion statement.

Star athletes have also helped expand the Jesus piece beyond hip hop culture. Most notably, NBA superstar Steph Curry frequently wears a diamond Jesus pendant both off and on the court. For Curry and other Christian athletes, it allows them to visibly share their faith during games.

Jesus Piece Jewelry for All

While Jesus piece pendants may have started as a bold hip hop fashion staple, today they have transformed into wearable symbols of faith for anyone. The pieces allow believers across backgrounds, cultures, and subcultures to openly share their Christian beliefs through jewelry.

The popularity of these faith-based pendants online shows that religious jewelry connects deeply with young people seeking to express their spirituality through style. Stars embracing the Jesus pieces also continues to expose the trend to new audiences.

Today, you can find Jesus pendants crafted from all types of materials including stainless steel, sterling silver, gold, and diamonds to match anyone's personal style. More affordable pieces have helped make the trend accessible for wider audiences.

Top Jesus Piece Jewelry Brands

From streetwear companies to luxury jewelers, countless brands today offer their own take on Jesus piece necklaces and pendants. Here are some of the most popular brands making high-quality Jesus jewelry right now:

King Ice

Founded in 2008, King Ice is one of the most respected names when it comes to hip hop jewelry and streetwear accessories. They offer an extensive line of Jesus pieces featuring top-quality materials and eye-catching designs.

Their Jesus pendants come in all metal types like stainless steel, sterling silver, 10k gold, and 14k gold. Most feature colorful enamel details for added flair. Prices range from affordable basics around $30 up to diamond-encrusted gold Jesus heads costing over $10,000.

Johnny Dang & Co.

If you want only the finest luxury Jesus bling, look no further than Johnny Dang & Co. Known as the "Jeweler to the Stars," Johnny Dang has created custom pieces for countless celebs like Travis Scott and Floyd Mayweather.

While they offer various religious pendants, their signature Jesus heads modeled after Dang's face are the brand's most famous pieces. Made with only top-quality diamonds on 10k or 14k gold, expect to pay at least $5,000 and up for one of these celebrity-approved Jesus necklaces.

Angel City Jewelers

Founded in Los Angeles, Angel City Jewelers specializes in diamond jewelry including their extensive selection of Jesus pendants. They only use 100% natural diamonds graded from G to H color for exceptional shine and sparkle.

Their Jesus pieces range from smaller 0.33 carat pendants for around $600 up through truly massive 10 carat designs costing almost $10,000. With free shipping and a 30-day return policy, they make getting a luxury Jesus piece easy.

Styling a Jesus Piece Necklace

Jesus piece pendants boast plenty of presence all on their own. But you can amp up your outfit by properly styling your Jesus chain with other accessories and clothing choices:

Match Metals and Stones

When wearing multiple necklaces together, match metals to create cohesion. For example, pair a yellow gold Jesus piece with other yellow gold chains. Combining metals can look disjointed. You can also pick up coordinating bracelets that feature diamond or gemstone accents to mirror stones in a Jesus pendant.

Stack with Chains

Stacking several chains together remains a popular jewelry trend in hip hop fashion. Try adding a few thinner gold rope chains or diamond tennis chains along with your Jesus piece to create an eye-catching layered necklace setup. You can mix metal types when stacking to add visual interest.

Contrast with Outfit

A bright shiny Jesus piece pops even more when worn with understated clothing. For maximum contrast, pair a diamond-studded Jesus pendant with a plain white t-shirt and jeans. This focuses all eyes directly on the necklace. Wearing other minimal accessories also prevents competeing with the statement Jesus chain.

Jesus piece jewelry first took off in hip hop but today gets love from music fans, athletes, and believers worldwide. Top brands like King Ice, Johnny Dang & Co., and Angel City offer trendy to luxurious Jesus pendants to match anyone's personal style. Style your Jesus necklace by stacking chains, mixing metals, and keeping the rest of your look minimal.

FAQs

What is a Jesus piece?

A Jesus piece is a pendant necklace featuring the face of Jesus Christ. Most commonly the pendants are large, diamond-encrusted, and made of gold or platinum for a bold hip hop style statement.

Why do people wear Jesus pieces?

People wear Jesus piece jewelry to openly express their Christian faith. The necklaces have become popular across various subcultures including hip hop, sports, and religious groups as eye-catching symbols of spiritual belief.

Who made Jesus pieces popular?

Rapper Kanye West arguably first popularized Jesus pieces in the early 2000s as the hip hop community embraced them as flashy symbols of religious devotion. Today, celebrities across music, sports, and faith continue to influence their popularity.

How should you style a Jesus piece?

Style a Jesus pendant by layering with multiple chains, mixing metal types, and keeping the rest of your outfit simple and minimal. This helps the flashy Jesus necklace stand out as the focal point.