Elton John Reveals How He Turned Kneecaps Into Gold Jewelry in New Documentary

Leave it to Elton John to turn a tough situation into gold — literally. In the trailer for his new documentary short film, Touched by Gold, he reveals how he turned both of his kneecaps into wearable gold jewelry. Watch the trailer below.

“When I had my kneecaps removed, the left one first and then the right, I asked my surgeon if I could keep the kneecaps, which he was rather startled about,” the pop icon stated in an exclusive clip provided to Us Weekly, going on to add that he gave jewelry designer Theo Fennell the artistic liberty to do “what you want with them” after his double knee replacement.

The designer then explained how his team “baked” John’s kneecaps to “dry them out,” a process that renders the bones into a porous, pumice stone-like texture, allowing them to be painted with acetate and polished.

“My surgeon said I had the worst knees he’s ever operated on,” John said, revealing that his right patella was transformed into a gold-plated necklace. “That hole was actually in my kneecap. It looks a bit like an old artifact from Egypt.”

The singer added that Fennell made the transformation even more special, as he “brilliantly had the necklace chain made out of bones.” Making the piece complete is an engraving of a Latin phrase that translates to, “I will no longer bow to any man.” According to Fennell, that’s something “you can’t do with a kneecap missing.”

Since they couldn’t do “so much with it,” John’s left knee was turned into a brooch. “I honestly think these are timeless pieces that will last for centuries,” the pop superstar added.

“Gold is timeless,” John emphasizes in the trailer. “It’s a constant reminder of how beautiful things can look.”

Touched by Gold is out now on the World Gold Council’s official website.

John can currently be seen in the long-awaited This is Spinal Tap sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. He’s also featured on the new movie’s companion album, appearing on the songs “(Listen to The) Flower People” and “Stonehenge.”