Going for Gold

How To Make A Statement With Jewelry

My regular readers know by now that I’m a big believer in statement earrings. They immediately make whatever you’re wearing festive. You can take the simplest outfit—a white shirt and jeans, for example—add statement earrings and a great pair of heels (extra points for a tuxedo jacket), and you’re party-ready. I try to add a new pair of statement earrings to my collection every spring/summer and fall/winter. That way, slowly but surely, my collection grows, and over time, I have the perfect earrings for any outfit. Always play the long game.

For this spring/summer, I feel strongly for yellow gold and pearls. Have you noticed that pearls are getting a re-brand in the form of very cool jewelry that is anything but traditional? Not that there’s anything wrong with traditional pearls, but I love the bold use of pearls in big statement pieces, particularly baroque pearls. This may all sound like a pricey proposal. Not so; I’ve spent some time researching small jewelry designers making quality pieces using natural pearls and 18K gold vermeil or gold plating rather than solid gold. You get the look of real gold because the outer layer is gold, though the gold weight is greatly reduced, which lowers the price. If your budget allows for the real deal, go for it. However, the big statement pieces I’m suggesting would be very expensive due to their size.

Enough said. Here’s what I propose: Love these rectangular 24k gold-plated earrings handmade in Italy. Their clean lines complement minimalist pieces, even for casual outfits. Currently half off! You know I love finding deals!!! Next, these 18k gold vermeil and baroque pearl earrings are handmade in NYC. They’re big enough to make a statement but small enough to wear for day or work. I’m crazy for these baroque pearl and 18k gold-plated cross earrings. They scream Mediterranean holiday, and who doesn’t need that in their life? These and the first earrings are from the UK-based, women-owned company Soru. There’s a great story behind the brand that you can see here. I always feel good about supporting women-owned, independent brands with integrity. This company has it all.

I’ve always loved Elsa Peretti’s scorpion necklace in gold, here on a very young Christy Turlington. Tiffany and Company still produces it if you have an extra 32k burning a hole in your pocket. If you have your heart set on this, they sometimes come up on 1st Dibs. Peretti also made a snake necklace, though I find the scale of it too big. The snake necklace at right is the perfect scale (and looks very much like E.P.’s only smaller. This necklace is also from Suros, handmade in Italy of 18k gold vermeil over silver, at a very reasonable price. This is the kind of piece that turns a good outfit into a great one.

A single pendant, either suspended on a gold chain or a silk cord, is like an exclamation point to an outfit. I love pendants all year but particularly in summer when necklines expose more skin and are uncluttered by layers and scarves. Bigger is better in my book, but a small, simple pendant, as seen on Bella Hadid, over a simple crew neck also makes an impact. Just don’t go too dainty. From left: This 18k gold-plated Tiger’s Eye pendant is from Daphine, a women-owned company founded by two friends in 2018. They are sustainably minded, producing small batches made by local artisans in Jaipur. The next two pendants are from Agmes, who also made the second earrings mentioned in this story. I’m on a roll here with women-owned businesses. Agmes was founded by sisters in 2016. All their jewelry is handmade in NYC using precious materials and sustainable practices. Their jewelry has a distinctly organic feel to it, reminiscent of the great Elsa Peretti but decidedly their own. The Cora and Marta pendants are available in 18k gold vermeil or sterling silver.

I love layering necklaces for spring/summer. An artful assortment of necklaces instantly elevates a simple tee shirt. Gold, coral, and pearls are striking against tanned skin, but some thought is required to get the right mix. The above photos are good examples of how to get it right.

When layering necklaces, I find odd numbers work best. The center photo of Romy Schneider shows layering in its simplest form, with three necklaces separated by lengths. The choker-length necklace with a pendant serves as a nice contrast to the two much longer chains and gives the mix a nice focal point. It’s difficult to find long necklaces new, but with patience, you can find vintage versions. Or get crafty and make your own. You can source everything you need online, particularly on Etsy, and learn how to do it on YouTube. The photo on the left has five necklaces, including two pendants and a chunky coral bead necklace. It’s the harmonious mix of materials that makes this work, with coral springing up in three of the necklaces. To the far right, we have seven necklaces combined in this mix. Do try this at home. Start with what you have and see what elements you’re missing to make it whole. It’s trial and error; using the photo as your guide, you’ll figure it out. You don’t have to duplicate it exactly; just get the right mix of lengths, colors, materials, and types of necklaces. Below is a chart of standard necklace lengths to help you determine what you need. Notice that charms and pendants enliven the mix. The last photo is another way to layer using the same base material, in this case, red coral in various sizes and shapes. It could also be one necklace with 3 strands, which takes all the guesswork out.

Top from left: Charm chain necklace, charm connector, cross charm, Medusa charm, intaglio charm, and a vintage gold chain.

Bottom from left: Pearl and gold-plated silver necklace, adjustable red jasper necklace, and red coral choker.

On a completely different note:

With wedding season on the horizon, I wanted to share this amazing wedding dress that Harper’s Bazaar Spain featured in 2022. The bride is Lucía Ferrer and the dress is Loewe. You can see the entire story here. What caught my eye and compelled me to share it (even though it’s three years old) was how refreshing the simplicity and innocence of the dress is. Particularly when compared to most of the wedding dresses I see out there.

Adding to the sense of ease is the cardigan the bride had made for the dress. It immediately brought to mind the fantastic robe that Angelina Jolie wore in Callas. I wish an artisanal knitwear house would produce that, not to the floor but mid calf, to wear as a spring coat. Just putting that thought out to the universe!

I’m planning a part two to this post to cover rings and bracelets; stay tuned, and on Thursday for paid subscribers I’ll be posting outfits for Spain, which is only a week or so away now! I hope you’ll join me. If you’re not already, I hope you’ll consider becoming a paid subscriber. As a paid subscriber you’ll get the inside scoop of what I’m doing in Spain for two months, an extra post per week, and private chats.

Thank you all for reading. I would love to hear from you. Please comment or message me!

xxx Jolain