After years behind the scenes in fine jewelry, Italian Francesca Villa started her eponymous label. Each piece of her jewelry line incorporates a found vintage artifact: poker chips, intaglios, bingo numbers, et cetera. Her collection is full of pieces that are charming and eclectic.
Paris-based Marco Panconesi launched his eponymous line after cutting his teeth designing accessories (for Givenchy and Balenciaga) and then jewelry (for Fendi, Peter Pilotto, and Fenty). He launched his modern sculptural line in 2019, and his collections are a mix of gravity-defying swirling hoops and colorful crystal climber-esque ear cuffs.
Inspired by family vacations and tropical destinations, Emily P. Wheeler’s eponymous fine jewelry line features colorful creations that nod to the Art Deco era, while remaining completely modern. Her attention to detail and commitment to sustainability and responsible practices, set this fine jeweler out from the rest.
Jewelry is always an investment worth making and now more than ever, there has been an influx in sales, especially across major online retailers and through social media platforms like Instagram, that have found new ways of interacting with jewelry customers. And it’s not just the big names in jewelry that are finding success—a younger, contemporary crop of designers and brands are making a name for themselves. We’re familiar with the dazzle of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, and we know to shop independent jewelry brands like Jennifer Fisher, Foundrae, and Alison Lou for their hoops and medallion necklace parts, but, as of late, other labels are catching our eye.
Founder Jia-Jia Zhu conceived her namesake jewelry line during a meditation after moving to Bali following a long tenure in the fashion industry. The line focuses on the use of crystals and stones with symbolism throughout, making each piece not only extremely unique, but also one that possesses a distinct meaning.
Sophie Buhai’s clean and modern approach to jewelry essentials makes her a stylist favorite. The Los Angeles designer’s minimal designs are mostly silver and gold, with a few pearls and stones like malachite and lapis.
New York-based Jesse Marlo Lazowski founded Marlo Laz in 2014 after years honing a fascination and understanding of jewelry stemming from an inherited brooch and an extended trip to India to work with local artisans. Lazowski’s pieces are modern talismans with plenty of brightly colored fine gemstones.
Sister-founded jewelry brand Agmes features mainly silver and gold pieces inspired by art and architecture. The simple yet bold forms are made of mostly recycled materials and scrap metals, resulting in a collection that is impactful without being overpowering.
Jameel Mohammed started his jewelry brand, Khiry, while studying political science at the University of Pennsylvania. His Brooklyn-based brand artistically tackles imagery of the African diaspora and incorporates contemporary design almost exclusively in gold. His most recent collection for Net-a-Porter is his first foray into fine jewelry and includes diamonds and fine gemstones in pieces in more petite sizes.
Jennifer Koche’s heirloom quality jewelry line Storrow was developed through her love of antiques and a background in jewelry buying for the top luxury retailers around the globe. Her pieces evoke a sense of heritage as well as whimsy through unique charms, pendants, and one-of-a-kind treasures.
.jpg)
Paris-born Catherine Sarr’s fine jewelry brand Almasika is inspired in part by the body’s soft curves and flowing lines. The collection is full of undulating timeless gold and diamond pieces that defy trends.
A Brooklyn-based colorful jewelry brand created by public relations director Christina Tung, SVNR was born with two strong tenets: sustainable manufacturing and conscious consumption. Tung makes each piece by hand with upcycled—and often colorful—materials, and the resulting work looks like the most fabulous keepsake found on holiday in a faraway locale.
California-based designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey was an award-winning art and creative director, before deciding to build her own brand. Her fine jewelry line is inspired by ancient textiles and patterns of the African Diaspora, seen through handcrafted jewelry made from 18-karat gold with ethically-sourced diamonds and precious gemstones. Most recently, she was nominated by the CFDA in the “American Emerging Designer of the Year” category for 2022.
Mexican-born Sara Beltràn first started designing jewelry pieces for herself, before launching her line Dezso. Throughout the line, you will find pieces that range from charms inspired by the sea to enamel pendants with detailed engraving, all captured through artisanal handcrafted design techniques.
