A sports injury led Mike Crovetti to a career in orthopaedics, and an elbow surgery led him into his second vocation – as a jewelry designer. Perhaps not the average career jump, but then again, this isn’t your average jewelry.

Dr. Crovetti’s company is called Skeletal Metal, aptly named as its pieces are made from “Recon” plates, the steel plates often used in surgeries and bent to match the shape of the bones.

After a trauma surgery seven years ago one such plate was bent into a ring. Over the years Dr. Crovetti noticed all the attention he received when wearing the ring. “People were intrigued by the unique design, and blown away when they found out it was a plate used in surgery,” admits Crovetti.

Inspired by everyone’s genuine interest in his one-of-a-kind jewelry design, Crovetti, 42, teamed up with two partners for this retail venture – former MLB “Rookie of the Year” Marty Cordova and Anthony Bonifazio. The partnership seems to be working well.As Crovetti explains, the key to success is to “surround yourself with people that you can trust. With the right team, everyone involved is sure to succeed.”

The Skeletal Metal line features bracelets, rings, earrings and pendants, all of which are designed, manufactured and distributed right here in Las Vegas. Skeletal Metal went live in June 2008 after nearly two years of developing prototypes and getting patents. Personalities such as Michael Phelps and heavyweight UFC champion Forrest Griffin have been seen sporting these designs.

The company has struck an agreement with Ultimate Fighting Championship to promote Skeletal Metal on the UFC Web site, a local affiliation which has helped to broaden the company’s international reach. And a good fit considering Skeletal Metal’s appeal for athletes and those involved in extreme sports – motocross, rodeo, skateboarding, snowboarding, mixed martial arts – who, unfortunately, are often in need of plates. The plate jewelry serves as a token of their experiences. “All athletes participating in action sports can wear Skeletal Metal as a symbol of their own battle scars,” attests Crovetti.

With its innovative design, Skeletal Metal is certainly setting a precedent — the first jewelry line in the mixed martial arts arena, as well as the first jewelry product made from medical devices — two first-to-market opportunities.

So what’s next for Skeletal Metal? “We’re always looking for something unique,” says Crovetti. “Currently we are incorporating the screws that we use in orthopaedic surgery, as well as some neurosurgical devices.”

Since opening Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and the Nevada Sports Academy in 2000, Dr. Crovetti has seen more than 25,000 patients and performed more than 8,000 surgeries. So what effect will Skeletal Metal have on his dedicated practice? “No effect,” states Crovetti, “Other than the interest of my patients in the product and the diversity in my life. They are intrigued by the jewelry and the fact that I have an outside interest. My patients are amazing and will also be first in my life.”

Skeletal Metal products can be found online at www.skeletalmetal.com – where you can even watch a surgery with Skeletal Metal devices in action.

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