How To Nail Elevated Yet Understated Jewelry Styling
Fine jewelry and fashion are in sync like never before, says CHARLIE BOYD – with a renewed focus on expert yet apparently effortless craftsmanship…
After a few post-pandemic years indulging the bright glitz of Y2K fashion trends, the jewelry world is entering a sea change; a gradual shift towards discreet details, forever favorites and easy elegance is becoming ubiquitous, with muted tones, dialed-down design codes and more-than-meets-the-eye minimalism now coming to the fore. Never has fine jewelry and fashion felt so symbiotic – the focus on intricate detailing, high-quality materials and investment pieces speaks to the very essence and ideology of fine jewelry. Not sure where to start? Follow our expert guide to help you find the jewels that reflect this elevated yet understated style…
Choose sleek bangles and solid-gold bracelets
Whether you like the jingle and clink of layered bangles or the slinky movement of a hinged bracelet, there’s an abundance of minimalist yet impactful styles to choose from this season. To keep your look effortless, invest in pieces that are sleek and sculptural, with a few precious details. Suzanne Kalan’s cuff is delicately dusted with scores of baguette-cut diamonds in her signature firework setting, while Carolina Bucci’s set-of-three bangles feature the brand’s unique ‘Florentine’ finish, which creates the most captivating sparkle. Elsewhere, David Yurman’s ‘Stax’ cuff has scintillating diamonds tracing its distinctive art deco-inspired lines. Take cues from the name by wearing two or three stacked together on one wrist. Finally, Lucy Delius’ ‘Baby Persephone’ bracelet is crafted from 14-karat recycled gold, with chunky mariner-style chain links for a nod to antique styles.
Look to longer links
While chain necklaces will always be timeless, each new season inspires a slight gearshift in terms of details, and styles with long, lightweight links are especially popular right now. Fernando Jorge’s 18-karat gold ‘Ultra-stretched’ chain is part of his genderless ‘Sync’ collection, designed to feel sinuous against the skin. Similarly, Lauren Rubinski’s latest design focus is on intricate compositions of 14-karat gold bars joined together with hollowed-out links; her feather-light chains are a ‘one-and-done’ indicator of good taste. For those keen to dive into detailing, look to Sia Taylor’s fluttering 18-karat gold dots suspended from whisker-fine chains, or Jennifer Meyer’s ‘Square Tennis’ and ‘Double Dome’ designs – all of which are effortless additions to a soft, well-cut T-shirt.
Observe a cool color palette
When it comes to rings, it can be tempting to revel in kaleidoscopic jewels. It is, however, the rarefied, muted hues of semi-precious gemstones paired with stark and scintillating diamonds that will best speak to understated style. By Pariah’s ready-made ring stacks feature tonal combinations of yellow gold, agate and diamonds; while Yvonne Léon’s 9-karat gold signet ring spotlights a smooth mother-of-pearl inlay dotted with a single diamond for a celestial feel. For those with busy hands seeking gem-free designs, look to Spinelli Kilcollin – the ‘Cici’ stack of four rings mixes rose, yellow gold and sterling silver, but the LA-based brand also has limitless combinations of diamonds in nuanced shades of white, champagne, cognac and gray – for the wearer who still needs a shot of scintillation.
Choose sculpture-inspired earrings
Earrings frame the face, so they have a unique ability to say a lot about our sense of style in just one glance. Plus, they’re an effortless way to elevate the simplest outfits, especially those in sculptural shapes. L’Atelier Nawbar’s ‘Bamboo’ hoops in mother-of-pearl or onyx are a chic choice; while it may appear effortless, the intricate inlay work on each hoop requires remarkable savoir-faire. Oversized metal styles feel particularly polished, too – try Nikos Koulis’ diamond-encrusted snake-chain hoops for a unique design that will make a simple white shirt or tee infinitely more interesting. The epitome of jewelry insouciance, however, is the ear cuff. If there’s any place to wear a large diamond irreverently, it’s atop your ear lobe. Anita Ko, Uniform Object and Mizuki all have diamond-set designs that quietly demand attention.
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