Rebel Nell Becomes an Official Corvette Licensee, Turning Bowling Green Factory Paint Into Jewelry

Every Corvette built in Bowling Green, Kentucky goes through the paint shop, and over time that process leaves layers of paint behind. Detroit's Rebel Nell has been reclaiming that paint and turning it into jewelry, and in September the company was named an official Corvette licensee. The Rebel Nell x Corvette Collection was announced on September 10, with every piece made from paint that came straight out of the Corvette factory.

From the Paint Shop to Something You Can Wear

The paint builds up in layers during the manufacturing process. Rebel Nell cuts and polishes it to reveal a cross-section of the colors that came through the plant, and since every cut lands a little differently, no two pieces come out the same. Collectors know the Ford version of this material as Fordite. The Corvette version goes by Corvite.

Founder Amy Peterson said Rebel Nell has always believed that materials hold stories, and that there's something special about taking material from the place where the Corvette is built and turning it into something people can carry with them. In her words, "Corvette represents generations of craftsmanship, memories and passion."

Officially Licensed by GM

The collection is officially licensed through General Motors. Bret Blanchard, Global Brand Licensing Manager at GM, said Corvette has always been about more than the car itself, pointing to the craftsmanship, innovation and community that have grown around it for generations. He described Rebel Nell's work as a creative way to give enthusiasts one more way to connect with the brand and its story.

Handmade in Detroit

Rebel Nell was founded in Detroit in 2013 as a social enterprise. Every piece in the Corvette collection is handcrafted by women overcoming barriers to employment, and the company's model is built around helping them build skills and economic independence. Peterson described the partnership as having "multiple layers of transformation" going on at once: an unexpected material, the story of an American icon, and real opportunities for the women who make each piece.

What's in the Collection

The line runs from everyday carry to fine jewelry. There's a keychain, a lapel pin, a ballpoint pen, a tie clip and cuff links, a divot tool for the golf bag, and a bottle stopper and cocktail picks for the bar cart, along with bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces in sterling silver and 18k gold-plated finishes. Each one carries a slice of reclaimed Bowling Green paint, and each one is one of a kind.

For a closer look at the material and how each piece is made, our Corvite buyer's guide covers it in detail. The full Reclaimed Factory Paint Collection is ready when you are.

Sources

• Rebel Nell, “Rebel Nell Turns Corvette Factory Paint Into Wearable Pieces of Automotive History” (press release, September 10, 2026)

Photo: Rebel Nell