Since I’ve been more than a little obsessed with all kinds of jewelry for years (it actually all started when I wrote about antique pieces for Bazaar, one of my first assignments), I texted all my friends who are on top of their jewelry game and asked them to stop what they were doing and send me a photo of what they had on. No one questioned it, and I got a bunch of inspiration just like that. Most of them pile on what they love, a few others keep it more simple, and I go between my many, many stories from classic gold to sculptural silver to beads and bold Native American pieces, really all depending on my mood (although I always have a wild tangle of gold and diamond talismans circling my neck). Get ready to scroll because there’s a lot here!
Here’s Anne, my BFF from high school, wearing her Ten Thousand Things Wild Fern earrings that she whips out whenever she’s in the mood. “I'm not really a jewelry person, though I get excited when I see it on someone who wears it well. I wear pretty simple, well-fitting clothes, so I either go jewelless or add one body part at a time. An ethnic dangly earring or a bead mixed with a good gold chain or another ring besides my wedding band. I feel overdone when I have jewelry everywhere,” she says.
Vintage jewelry dealer Jill Heller’s stack of ‘70s silver. Follow her here for jaw-dropping new pieces.
Me in my new cognac diamond earrings from Ten Thousand Things that I am not taking off! Here they are in white.
Designer /journalist Jennifer Alfano (we’ve been friends since we shared an office at Bazaar in the ’90s!) says, “Jewelry is a joyful expression of one’s personal taste. I am a jewelry designer who doesn’t necessarily wear a lot of jewelry at once, but my rings and pendants, which I typically like to wear on longer chains, are my personal talismans. I feel naked without them, especially because I tend to dress quite simply. I also only design what I want to wear. No one needs jewelry; it’s all about desire and how you feel when you put it on.” Here, she’s wearing her own designs—natural red coral and her cool Il Sole pendant on a heavy mariner chain.
A collection of my everyday pieces, starting with a new pave pinky band from Hunting Lane that was an anniversary gift this year (good dupe here), My usual wedding-ring stack made of custom pieces by Ten Thousand Things and Sydney Evan, and this Luv AJ guy on my middle finger (it’s not real gold, but it’s waterproof, so it will always shine!).
My friend Laurence Goldberg in her classic mix—” I wear some type of jewelry every day. I love more bold pieces for evening, either a necklace or earrings. But overall, I don’t let jewelry overwhelm my outfits, unless I’m just wearing jeans and tee shirts, then I let the jewelry do the talking!’ Read her fun Substack here.
Here’s my friend Vicki, who deals in fabulous Native American jewelry. “What I wear each day depends on my mood, where I’m going, and how much sun is shining. Each piece resonates with me in its own special way.”
Lori Leven, owner of veritable lifestyle wonderland Love, Adorned, in her cool jumble of gold pendants and a scarf from The Falls. “I’ve been in the jewelry industry for so long; sometimes I couldn’t care less about taking anything for myself, but at the moment, I’m wildly, deeply into it.”
My friend Wini’s gold bands and gemstone rings that I’m always coveting. Here’s a good jade option that I wear with my bands to sort of copy her! And this garnet and emerald are both perfect choices for stacking. Says she: “My jewelry choices have always been influenced by growing up in The Bronx. Since I was six years old, I’ve had my ears pierced, and for as long as I can remember, I wore nothing but gold hoops. Before long came my gold nameplate necklace, followed by ankle bracelets engraved with my name and, depending on the time in my life, the name of whoever I was dating. Now, at 63 years old, I still carry those images and influences with me. My style has evolved, and these days I lean toward timeless elegance rather than making a bold statement. I still love gold, but I wear it with a little more restraint. The Bronx will always be part of me, and every piece of jewelry I choose reflects a lifetime of memories, culture, and pride. I like to think of myself as a classy older lady who has never forgotten her roots.”
Rosanne Karmes, founder and designer of Sydney Evan, in her own designs, from top: evil eye necklace, charm holder, initial and Cloud 9 coin. “My jewelry aesthetic is modern yet timeless, with touches of bohemian spirit, femininity, punk, humor, and symbolism. I love pieces that feel personal…jewelry that tells a story, offers protection, or simply makes you smile and feels good. I don’t believe you should have to choose one style. Jewelry should evolve with your mood and the person you want to be that day,” she says.
Melanie Chiverton of Hunting Lane, in one of her more subdued looks—I love how she just piles on whatever she loves, and it always works.
Lauren Ezersky, the queen of abundance, says, “I love Jewelry because it’s forever and it brings back memories. Someone gave you something that is valuable. Your parents gave you something for a holiday. Your boyfriend gave you something. Your husband gave you something. It’s just memories, and it lasts longer than you do. You could pass it down from generation to generation; it has more than monetary value. You can never have enough or wear too much.”
I have found some of my favorite jewelry in unexpected places, and I’ve got a real thing for vintage and antique pieces with a history. I also love real craftsmanship, and, of course, talismans made by friends (good juju). Another great thing about jewelry is it doesn’t take up too much space, and as major collector Jennifer Tilly once told me, it’s a portable investment! The following is a small list of designers and stores I admire (but I couldn’t include them all here; the list is way too long). If you’re looking for something specific, feel free to hit me up in the chat.
Where to shop and find inspiration:Ten Thousand Things for chic, handcrafted heirlooms, W & W Jewelry for highly curated vintage and antiques, Jill Heller Jewelry for important signed pieces, Etsy,Love, Adorned (vintage and new), Hunting Lane (vintage bling, bling, and more bling), James Colarusso for modern luxe, Vicki Turbeville (Native American, old and new), Sydney Evan for classic gold and diamond pieces, Esqueleto (a fun mix of old and new), Jan Palmer Antiques, 1st Dibs, and, if you find yourself on the Lower East Side, Pilgrim’s many cases are filled with fine and costume jewelry (vintage and contemporary) and Edith Machinist has a smattering of good pieces from Victorian era to old Native American sprinked throughout the store. I also want to give a big shout-out to my dear friend Richard Sinnott, who has curated a whole collection of vintage costume pieces for his new line, aptly named Sinnott. My friend Matthew Swope designs interesting one-of-a-kind stuff, and artist Michelle Tarantelli makes personal, custom pieces—send them both a note if you have something in mind. And I love relatively new Kcin Studio for cool silver (I mix this pendant in with my gold). For the best inspiration, follow journalist/jewelry historian Marion Fasel here—always a good read. And have fun looking around—that’s the best part! xx
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Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published
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