See Katherine Jetter’s Kaleidoscopic New Jewels On Nantucket

By Amy Elliott | July 26, 2021

Greetings—once again—from Nantucket! Every summer I like to check in with Katherine Jetter, jewelry designer and owner of the the Vault on Nantucket Island. For the uninitiated, the resort destination located off the coast of Massachusetts is famous for its whaling industry history and quintessential New England seaside scenery (think sprawling shingled estates and thick blankets of eventide mist).

Jetter usually has a spate of lively events happening throughout the season, and this year she has already hosted Muzo Emerald Colombia, Fernando Jorge, and Ann Korman of Ark Fine Jewelry.

All this scintillating activity coincides with the debut of Jetter’s own new collection—make that two collections, plus quite a few one-of-a-kind showstoppers.

The Origami line pairs exceptional gemstones with Jetter’s flair for clean lines and wearable concepts that are both scaled and constructed to layer seamlessly with classic pieces in an existing jewelry wardrobe.

“I am completely in love with my Origami bracelets, which I spent a long time developing to ensure the perfect fit,” says Jetter. “We have sold through every single one—I actually have to place a reorder.”

Katherine Jetter Origami bracelets — *Assorted origami bangles in 18k gold with tanzanite, rubellite, tourmaline, aquamarine, ruby, emerald, green tourmalines, and diamonds, $15,600–$24,000 each*

The Graffiti collection is edgier and bolder, with graphic, super vivid pairings of gemstones and gleaming colored rhodium alongside diamonds and 18k gold.

Katherine Jetter opal pendant — *Graffiti pendant in 18k gold and pink rhodium with Lightning Ridge opal, pink tourmaline heart, and diamond melee, $38,000*

“Our customers are really into color this year,” says Jetter. “We are selling a ton of enamel and bold, colored gemstones—especially opals and tanzanites, plus loads of emeralds and turquoise. I think all of this fascination with colored gemstone jewelry represents the uplifted mood we are experiencing—people want to express their happiness through their jewelry.”

Jetter’s read on customer appetite holds particular weight, as she’s both a retailer and a designer. This summer, she reports, “has been unreal. Everyone is coming out, ready to celebrate, and we are having a record-breaking year. Jewelry lovers are seeking us out as a destination for our unique selection and top-notch designer talent.”

In addition to her own work, jewels by Fernando Jorge and Robinson Pelham are making an in-store splash. Jetter also installed a mix and match “Stud Bar” that customers are loving. “We have already sold through more than half of Robinson Pelham’s EarWish [stud earring] collection,” she says.

Jetter got engaged during the past year (she also opened a satellite jewelry store in Boston!), so I had to ask about that. “People can’t get over the amazing jacket that my friend Jade Trau made for my engagement ring,” she says. “It’s a topic of conversation every time someone walks into the store.”

Here are few more new Katherine Jetter pieces you simply have to see.

Katherine Jetter opal earrings — *One-of-a-kind opal and diamond line earrings in 18k gold and blue rhodium, $14,400*

Katherine Jetter stacking bands — *“My hot pink and electric blue stacking bands with diamonds are so hot I cannot keep them in stock,” says Jetter. Graffiti stacking rings with diamonds 18k gold and rhodium, $7,200 each*

Katherine Jetter heart pendant — “My heart necklaces have been hugely successful,” she says. “I think every single one of my friends owns one. We have started a ‘Heart Club.’ ” Queen of Hearts pendant in 14k yellow gold and pink rhodium with pink tourmaline, $3,800

Katherine Jetter origami necklace — *Origami necklace in 18k gold with diamond and tanzanite, $5,400*

Top: For summer 2021, jeweler and designer Katherine Jetter has added several new names to her roster, including Robinson Pelham and Emily P. Wheeler, and has also unveiled her own new collections (shown on model). Using her notable gemstone expertise, she has sourced an impressive amount of material with which to create gorgeous combinations of hot pink rubellites with pink rhodium, mint green tourmaline with white enamel, and tanzanites accented with purple sapphires from Burma.

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