There’s nothing like experience to inspire a work of art, and in the case of jewelry, some of the nearest and dearest occasions spark the finest jewels.
Inspired by the jewels she created for her daughter-in-law on her wedding day, Nancy Newberg‘s new capsule collection features a lineup of modern but timeless pieces for the big day and beyond. Shoulder-dusting earrings, a tennis necklace, bracelets, and even an ear-climber compose the collection that’s as beautiful for a wedding day as it would be for a Tuesday.
We asked Newberg a few questions on how the collection came to be, what today’s brides and grooms want, and more.
Can you describe the process of curating wedding jewelry for your daughter-in-law? What were you inspired by and how did you make your decisions?
My daughter-in-law is a minimalist—I just love that about her!—so for her engagement ring I sourced a stunning emerald-cut diamond and put it in a clean platinum prong setting. Her wedding band provided the perfect compliment to this: a micro–bezel-set eternity band with emerald-cut stones.
When it came time to choose a wedding gown, she wanted to be sure her look was timeless. She did not want her photos to feel outdated 10 years from now. I thought this made total sense and once the dress was chosen I got right to work. A thick duchesse satin Monique Lhuillier off-the-shoulder gown was purchased. Sculptural and elegant, this wedding gown did not need many accessories. I knew the look called for statement earrings with length and movement.
Mixing emerald, round, and princess cuts, I created lines of diamonds, each separated by a tiny bar allowing movement between stones. These platinum beauties were a modern take on the classic tennis bracelet and inspired designs to follow. A small collection was soon born.
The collection is wonderfully modern with classic touches. Have you noticed more brides and grooms looking for modern jewelry, vintage/vintage-inspired, or both?
Vintage will never go out of style, but most of my brides are looking for stand-out pieces that are more unique and modern.
For those with the budget to do so, what advice can you share for selecting the perfect wedding-day jewels—aside from the rings?
Pearls are the perfect solution for brides on a budget. The pretty white luster of a pearl pairs well with most gowns and beautiful styles can be found at any price range.
What trends have you noticed in your recent custom projects? Are we seeing more color? Dainty versus statement?
Recently I’ve been doing more statement pieces. Crisp clean lines, bold shapes with the spotlight on diamonds. Sparkle is in.
How about for the grooms? Has men’s jewelry evolved in the wedding arena as it has in fashion?
Men are moving more slowly into the wedding jewelry category but it is happening. Currently I’ve been designing bolder bands for men. I’ve been doing cufflinks and studs that are more fashion-forward—even with the most conservative men.
Top: Extra-long drop earrings in platinum with 3.3 cts. t.w. diamonds, $12,400; Nancy Newberg
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