Charmed, I’m Sure
Photo credit: @The Definitive Collection of Elizabeth Locke
Necklaces and bracelets aren’t the only game in town
A wise man (Mark Twain) once said, “There is no such thing as a new idea.” As it turns out, his philosophical comment about the existential concept of originality also applies to our baubles. Wearing charms as jewelry has been a human practice since the Neolithic Period (aka the Stone Age), and in 12,021 years, the idea hasn’t changed that much. Back then, pieces of bone, shell, stone, and wood were carved into shapes and strung on cord to bring good luck and ward off evil. Today, pieces of bone, shell, stone, and wood are, well, same.
Thankfully for variety’s sake, the second half of Twain’s quote is: “We simply take a lot of old ideas...and make new and curious combinations.” Denizens of the Roman Empire came up with the idea of wearing a totem to identify their religion. Queen Victoria also gave it a whirl, popularizing the personalized charm bracelets and necklaces still worn today.
Modern jewelry designers are adding one more twist. No longer limited to the wrist or neck, you’ll find fetishes dangling delicately from earrings and precious stones suspended from rings. The result? Unexpectedly charming.
Pinprick
Brooklyn-based Catbird is the go-to destination for New Yorkers-in-the-know looking for everything from dainty pieces to one-of-a-kind wedding rings. Founder Rony Vardi has a gifted eye for designs with dreamy, fairytale appeal. To wit: the brand’s delicate Pinprick ring featuring an unset, suspended diamond that sparkles beyond belief.
Catbird diamond “Pinprick” ring in 14k yellow gold, $238 at Catbird
Total Eclipse
Designer Zoë Chicco is no stranger to getting personal, especially when it comes to the pretty pendants and word-play pieces her clients like Jessica Alba and Charlize Theron seek out. She’s a master of the modern charm—just look at her celestial Total Eclipse earrings and you’ll see what we mean.
Zoë Chicco “Total Eclipse” hoops in 14k black, yellow, and rose gold, $820 at Zoë Chicco
*This item is sold out.
North Star
LMJ owner/designer Sujan Dashi believes in the poetic power of jewelry—each of his pieces is imbued with a deeper meaning and natural inspiration, and comes with a poem written by the designer himself. A line from this ring’s verse, “Listen to your voice and follow your passion,” makes the symbol’s significance clear.
LMJ “Little North Star” charm ring in Sterling silver with diamonds, $229 at Wolf & Badger
Rainbow
Emily Faith Goldstein started from humble beginnings (she sold her first pieces at a local hair salon) and has grown her business into a veritable empire whose jewels crown the red-carpet looks of Emily Blunt, Margot Robbie, and more. These earrings, with asymmetrical charms and a rainbow of gems, are an excellent place to start your collection.
EF Collection Rainbow Mini Huggie With Evil Eye Huggie Charm & Lightning Bolt Huggie Charm Earring in 14k rose gold with diamonds and gemstones, $920 at EF Collection
Freshwater Pearl
Drawing from Etruscan jewelry to 18th century Chinese gambling counters for inspiration, Elizabeth Locke’s creative process is what she calls a “continual treasure hunt.” We’re loving these freshwater pearl charms, designed to slip onto matching hoops, which can also be worn on their own.
Elizabeth Locke freshwater pearl earring charms, $1,800 and 19k yellow-gold hoops, $1,425 at The Definitive Collection of Elizabeth Locke
Gravity
Actress-model-turned-jewelry-designer (talk about multi-hyphenate!) Xiao Wang finds inspiration for her quirky-cool pieces in pop art and manga. She aims for playful asymmetry, and scores with the mismatched settings on her champagne diamond Gravity ring.
Xiao Wang “Gravity” open charm dangle ring in 14k rose gold, $996 at Broken English
Editor: Gail Goldberg
Wordsmith: Rebecca Daly
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