Machine Gun Kelly and Stephen Webster reveal new jewellery collaboration

By Kim Parker

It’s not often that one of the deadly sins leads to a fruitful and long-standing friendship. But judging by the creative partnership that has been forged between the exuberant London jeweller Stephen Webster and the musician Machine Gun Kelly, the truth really can be stranger than fiction.

Back in 2010, Webster unveiled his now-iconic collection of cocktail rings inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins. The Greed ring bore a motif of diamond-studded gold coins, and the Envy ring, of course, was set with a deep green peridot gemstone. Meanwhile, the Lust ring suggested a writhing ‘orgy’ of 18k gold arms and legs framing an oval-cut tanzanite, which caught the eye of an ambitious musician named Machine Gun Kelly, then just 20 years old and unable to afford it.

Fast forward to 2022 and the award-winning Kelly (real name Colson Baker) tracked down Webster to create an ornate toi-et-moi style engagement ring with which he propose to his now-wife, Megan Fox. During the design process, the two artists discussed Webster’s plans to expand on his original Seven Deadly Sins collection and introduce an Eighth Sin, in the form of a brand new, limited-edition ring.

The result is Gossip, an irreverent take on a very contemporary sin, inspired by the power (both malevolent and benign) of social media – a suggestion that came from Kelly himself.

“I have long been toying with the idea of an Eighth Sin, since learning the original Seven Sins were compiled as a ‘blacklist’ of eight evil thoughts, ” said Webster of the collaboration. “When Machine Gun Kelly first came to us in 2021 and shared his enthusiasm for the 2010 ‘7DS’ collection, this only cemented my decision. With the sins bringing us together, I am glad to collaborate to bring modernity into the fold, with the release of a 21st Century Sin: Gossip.”

In a nod to Kelly’s on flamboyant style, bold hues dominate – with colourful enamel work on 18k Single Mine Origin gold. The top of the ring is inlaid with a mother-of-pearl speech bubble, set with three round white diamonds to depict incoming text. Tiny gold piercings also nod to Kelly’s signature look, whilst a miniature gold spider is a cautionary note to a potential ‘web of lies’ that can ensue from destructive gossip. The design is limited to only 10 pieces, each individually numbered.

In addition, a further 640 Sterling Silver rings in eight different colour ways will also be made, inspired by the golden original design. 10% of all sales proceeds will go to support Machine Gun Kelly’s connected charity, Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

Like this? Discover the engagement ring Stephen Webster designed for Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox