Why Initial Jewelry Will Always Be In Style
The fine-jewelry pieces we wear every day will always feel personal, but one that heroes a letter is the ultimate in self-expression. CHARLIE BOYD rounds up the best alphabet designs to add to your everyday jewelry wardrobe
Many of us will remember choosing a piece of jewelry bearing a namesake letter during our childhood – perhaps your own initials or those of a best friend. When you think about it, it is unsurprising that the popularity of jewelry bearing a special monogram continues long into adulthood. It’s a simple way to personalize a precious piece and offers the chance to carry a symbolic emblem of ourselves or a loved one, yet often with a degree of privacy and secrecy – it’s a tantalizing mix.
“Even though alphabet jewels can be quite universal pieces, they hold highly individual meaning to the person wearing them, as they can symbolize their sense of self, or their loved ones, or honor precious memories,” says Sophie McMillan, fine-jewelry buyer at NET-A-PORTER. “Letter charms are an easy way to customize a necklace or bracelet – you can add as many letters as you wish and they make such a thoughtful gift; they really give added meaning to a beautiful piece of jewelry,” she explains.
A-list tastemakers have heartily championed initial jewels in recent years. Hailey Bieber broke the internet when she was spotted wearing a sleek red mini dress and a single ‘B’ pendant last summer, but it seems that Emily Ratajowski may have eclipsed that moment, recently posting a shot on Instagram stories of her wearing an Alison Lou ‘E’ pendant on a crimson cord, bottle of wine under arm and seemingly about to head out on the town – the silver oversized bubble-writing perfectly capturing the carefree spirit of the moment.
Celebrities have also relied on initial jewelry to surreptitiously announce a relationship, or cement it – scribing a loved one’s initials in gold and cold, hard diamonds is one step shy (and perhaps more sensible) than a tattoo, and so it’s unsurprising that some of Hollywood’s biggest names are often spotted wearing matching monogrammed pieces, such as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, who famously wear matching bracelets adorned with ‘T & T’.
There are plenty of male tastemakers proving that initial jewels are trending in menswear, too; Baz Lurhmann was spotted wearing a Marie Lichtenberg ‘B’ letter necklace to the Paris 2024 Olympics prelude in August, while Ryan Gosling has also been known to wear an ‘E’ necklace, referencing his wife, Eva Mendes. This makes them all the easier to pass down the generations, too – sons and daughters alike will delight in receiving precious pieces that symbolize their parents.
If you’re looking to invest in a piece of initial jewelry, then the most important thing to remember is that no initial jewel is quite like the other. Whether a variation in metal tone, calligraphy, font, scale or gemstone color, there are limitless options that are as unique as the individual they represent; it’s just a case of finding the style that speaks to you. Sydney Evan’s italic-script diamond pendants seem to sweep in streams across the décolletage and can be attached to chains you already own, while Mateo’s block-letter pendants feel more graphic – the perfect choice for those with a jewelry box full of modern and minimalist jewels. Foundrae’s chic single earrings are even more utilitarian in feel and will suit a piercing pro – a grooved hoop bears a miniature diamond-set monogram and will slot into a series of studs, huggies and hoops.
Those looking for a classic and timeless take on the initial pendant should look to Stone and Strand – its oval diamond halo pendants feature a yellow gold letter at their heart and will suit your daughter as much as your grandma. Jennifer Meyer’s 18-karat gold letter pendant features a similar disc-shaped silhouette, and will effortlessly slip into a slew of chains and charms. Meanwhile, Gigi Clozeau, admired for its whisker-fine chains that can be layered with abandon, offers an ultra-delicate design with tiny white beads that make it the perfect gift for a bride wanting to acknowledge someone special on her wedding day. Whichever you choose, and whatever the reason, just make sure it means something, and says something, to you.
RELATED READING
The people pictured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown