It’s a cliché that I write in one form or another every time I put together this year-in-review roundup: Didn’t I just do this?
As I look back on the marvels brought forth by an awesome roster of brands and designers this year, I also get a window into the styles that dominated our year: versatile, convertible jewels; big gemstones; gorgeous ear danglers.
This year’s Britt’s Picks in numbers: 16 earrings, 14 necklaces or pendants, 13 rings, 3 brooches, 2 bracelets, 1 charm. Six hearts, six flowers, one clownfish.
As for what’s in the jewels, we had eight precious in pearl, three awesome in agate, three terrific in tanzanite, three opulent in opal, and two marvelous in moonstone—and that’s not counting the deluge of diamonds you’ll find on this list.
Below, all of my favorite things from 2023. Thank you for another sparkling year.
Maui Divers’ ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Pendant
“This sense of resilience and hope reads from the latest offering from Hawaiian jeweler Maui Divers, a pendant in collaboration with Greenland Ruby. A blooming lehua flower—lehua is the first tree to spring up from a recent lava flow—is outlined in fiery Greenland rubies, its elongated figure curling to rest inside an oval frame of diamonds.” Read more.
Spectrum Opal Earrings by Rachel Jones
“Eighteen alloys of 18k gold—from green to red, white to gray—are on display here, appearing to shift in color nearly as much as the opals do.” Read more.
Rahaminov’s Bypass Heart Ring
“For the discerning shopper, knowing how special a heart-shape diamond is considered can make all the difference. ‘What makes a heart-shape stone exceptional is the time it takes to find and cut a beautiful and well-made shape,’ says [Rahaminov’s Melanie Goldfiner] Goldberg. ‘It is one of the most challenging fancy shapes because the cleavage needs to be just right, and the shoulders need to be symmetrical.’” Read more.
Amethyst Heart Ring by Alp Sagnak
“‘I showed my idea of the heart ring and asked her what color it should be—purple. I showed her a heart-shape diamond I had, and she said let’s do this. And it became a father-daughter ring.’” Read more.
Jade Ruzzo’s Moonstone Vic Ring
“The ring is more than just a stylistically relevant piece of jewelry—it’s a piece of the designer as well. After losing her father in 2015, Ruzzo looked to a handmade bracelet he had given her as inspiration for her signature Vic series, to which this ring belongs.” Read more.
Mejia Jewelry’s Shoulder-Dusting Pearl Earrings
“With a shoulder-grazing length that’s currently superhot, a versatile design, and the addition of snakes—snakes!—these sterling silver earrings easily make it onto spring and summer wish lists.” Read more.
Suzanne Kalan’s Engravable Heart
“‘I wanted to design a pendant that was not only easy and elegant to wear as an everyday necklace but also affordable as a gifting option,’ Kalan says. ‘The design incorporates my signature style of baguettes with a large enough space of 18k gold to provide the option to engrave.’” Read more.
Annoushka’s Hoopla Heart Smiley Earrings
“I, for one, couldn’t possibly tire of heart jewelry; even after its annual appearance en masse, I’m happy to see more. Especially in styles as contagiously cheerful as these earrings by Annoushka.” Read more.
Mateo’s Aquamarine and Pearl Earrings
“We love a good pearl and color combination (and many designers appear to agree), and these are certainly no exception. The pearl duos adorn each earring in an asymmetrical style, on a diagonal across the diamond-lined sticks that comprise the bulk of the earrings’ shape. Such placement exemplifies the modern treatment of pearls that audiences have grown to love, an affair that will surely continue for years to come.” Read more.
The Skywalk Cuff by Renisis
“Not that such a creation from artful jeweler Renisis needed an upward swinging trend for it to be alluring. But the Skywalk bracelet, part of the brand’s Evidence of the Future collection, is the statement we’ve all been waiting to make.” Read more.
Meili’s Key Emblem Charms
“Key jewelry has captivated our industry and its customers for a long time…. But I’ve never been so captivated with one as I am with the keys offered by Meili, a brand that just bowed in New York City in August 2022.” Read more.
Kamal’s Pink Tourmaline Lotus Ring
“‘Even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the lotus produces the most beautiful flower,’ the designer adds. ‘The lotus flower is regarded in many different cultures, especially in Eastern religions, as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth. Its characteristics are a perfect analogy for the human condition.’” Read more.
LeSter London’s Morganite Bombette Ring
“For starters, yes, there’s the optix-cut morganite at the ring’s center—or, rather, in the solitaire-style ring at the center of this three-ring design. ‘Optix is a special cut of stone, where the back of the stone is faceted by laser so that you can see extra light play within the stone—look at it and it does resemble the play of light of a firework,’ says LeSter founder Aishleen Lester.” Read more.
Oblik Atelier’s Dad-a Necklace
“She named it the Dad-a necklace, and it’s a one-of-a-kind work of art. ‘You can only screw up this good once,’ the designer says. Made of brass and finished in 14k yellow gold plating, the piece is light to wear and matches the sculptural sterling silver styles that are becoming popular once again among both creators and consumers.” Read more.
Mikimoto’s Cherry Blossom Earrings
“Mikimoto updates the cherry blossom motif in its newest offerings, with the brand’s signature pearls anchoring necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. I’m partial to these pretty earrings, with their scalloped lines of rose gold sparkling daintily with diamonds. They’re modern and appear youthful but attain the right mix of classic and on-trend, especially given our current fascination with fresh pearls. And they’re worthy of bequeathing to the next generation.” Read more.
Rahaminov’s Pink Diamond Ring
“What might be valuable to know, particularly for retailers wondering if investing in pink diamond jewelry is a wise move, is that customers do seem to be feeling them, and it’s not just because the Barbie movie is causing a pink effect.” Read more.
Kavant & Sharart’s Convertible Earrings
“If consumers are looking to embrace a ‘less is more’ attitude toward their purchases, it stands to reason that convertible styles like these earrings are just what they need. Here, a two-tone pair of earrings goes from classic stud silhouette—albeit with a modern, shield-cut diamond at the center—to a golden wing of diamonds courtesy of a yellow gold jacket.” Read more.
Sonya K.’s Tanzanite Lariat Necklace
“Even if there’s no gala or fete on your schedule, the gemstone accent is still worthy of wear—to the office, for drinks, what have you. But for consumers desiring a little lower-key (though no less glam) sparkle, the drop detaches to leave a single strand of diamonds—a traditional tennis necklace that’s timelessly exquisite.” Read more.
Brenda Smith’s Whimsy Necklace
“‘I commissioned Glenn Lehrer to do the body carving,’ Brenda tells JCK. ‘He sent photos of several stone options. Ultimately I decided on this—you can see the mapping marks to take the most advantage of striations and markings in the mineral, which is lavender Laguna agate from Mexico.'” Read more.
Yoki’s Green Amethyst Brooch
“‘I’ve always been fascinated with medieval-era visual settings—as a huge fan, I may have also watched too many medieval movies,’ says Yokabid Worku, founder and designer of Yoki Collections. ‘The piece is an abstract expression and reimagines the visual texture of a medieval garden and its surroundings. It’s like traveling back in time and admiring an enchanted secret medieval garden enclosed with wrought iron railing or standing behind courtyard arches.’” Read more.
Trésor’s Rainbow Moonstone Necklace
“What I love about Trésor’s moonstone necklace is, well, its moonstones, but also that I can tell how beautifully it would mesh with just about any other necklace.” Read more.
Marie Lichtenberg’s Check Locket
“Though the brand’s chains are anything but basic, it’s the add-on locket concept that really takes them next-level. Lichtenberg’s chains are inspired by a piece handed down from her mother, whose roots are in Martinique: a hollow gold chain with bold locket clasp, celebrating emancipation in Creole culture.” Read more.
Rahaminov’s Diamond Drop Earrings
“But the sight I can’t stop thinking about is a pair of earrings from the always spectacular Rahaminov, and while I don’t want to take anything away from how exceptional they are (because they really are incredible), you might find them to be on the subtler side when you consider an entire show floor filled with treasures—a fair number of them at the Rahaminov booth.” Read more.
Peruffo’s Blue Agate Collar Necklace
“I must admit, this story is a bit mistitled and also arrives somewhat late to the party—Peruffo’s epic collar necklace isn’t so much my pick as it is the people’s, given its win of the People’s Choice Award at the 2023 Couture show in Las Vegas.” Read more.
Guita M’s Agate Fan Earrings
“There’s an elegance to the earrings that feels like something you might see among the decor of a grand old beach hotel somewhere—a place that stands gloriously at the shoreline, historic and proud. They’ve got the coastal grandmother look down pat, the old-money aura of quiet luxury, and a dash of vintage flair to boot. In other words, there’s something here for everyone.” Read more.
Single Stone’s Calypso Double-Drop Necklace
“The necklace features the brand’s handcrafted Mini Club link for that chunky, heavy gold chain look consumers have picked up on as of late—and turns it up to 100 with the lariat-style addition of two sparkling spheres, covered with 517 diamonds.” Read more.
18 Carat House’s Travel-Inspired Earrings
“…a custom-cut Bakelite airplane, soaring around the globe, our deep blue waters represented in those same sapphires—and you can just make out parts of South America, North America, Africa, and Europe laid out in diamonds (if it were a map, it would be turned sideways).” Read more.
Mikimoto’s Clownfish Brooch
“The anemone is made with feather pearls, oblong gems that could easily be imagined as gracefully swaying under the ocean’s movement. Our little clownfish friends feature nugget opals, which, much like the ocean, appear to contain multitudes of life within.” Read more.
Alishan’s Ruby Slice Drop Earrings
“I don’t often think of ruby as a ‘fun’ gemstone. Gorgeous? Of course. Luxurious? Absolutely. But so often it’s such the picture of extravagance (in all the movies that feature forbidden gemstones, aren’t they almost always ruby?) that it’s easy to forget its ability to infuse good design with impressive color.” Read more.
Rahaminov’s Tanzanite Twin Bezel Ring
“A ring for all seasons, it’s part of Rahaminov’s Twin Bezel collection, a name that describes the two frames of gold that hug the oval center stone. The metal is thick and hefty, a style consumers have continued to enjoy, and while the look hits all the notes of current demand, it’s also timeless—a promising heirloom providing a dash of color for future generations.” Read more.
Assael’s Peridot and Pearl Earrings
“Peridot and pearl have both seen big jumps in popularity recently—pearl for its awe-inspiring versatility and modern aura of coolness, peridot for its happy shade of green that pairs well with a wide range of colors (especially blue). That Assael put them together in earrings that are both contemporary and timeless beautifully demonstrates their power.” Read more.
Onirikka’s Rose Earrings
“The Onirikka earrings pictured here, from the brand’s Rose collection, carry some mysterious enchantment in their black blooms, softened by a couple in white. Carved of onyx and agate, the roses are spaced by bezel-set diamonds, the 18k yellow gold providing a hint of warmth.” Read more.
Jessie VE’s Soul Weight Locket
“Hand-engraved on the pendant’s four sides are the number 21; ‘1 Soul’ against a background of bursting lines and stars; a forget-me-not flower; and a tear falling from an eye motif, representing ‘a tear of happy memories frozen in time,’ according to the Jessie VE website.” Read more.
Toktam’s Kahkeshan Sky Ring
“Aside from its celestial inspiration, the ring is aesthetically pleasing for its plumage of gold, fanning out beautifully from its sapphire pear, as if the gem were wearing a crown. The brand has a matching pair of earrings and necklace, an impactful suite worthy of September’s sapphire.” Read more.
JV Insardi’s Convertible Aerial Earrings
“The earrings’ easy convertibility means they can be styled from day to night, letting down their length for some occasions and buttoning up for others. I also love the idea of wearing them both in one ear, layering a hoop with a drop. The wearer has the ability to get really creative with how they choose to wear these—and that’s what makes them so great.” Read more.
Monbouquette’s Tropix Earrings
“And here’s what makes these earrings even more special: They’re convertible. And in a way that is clever and easy for the wearer, too. Simply snap the bottom square back, doubling it onto the middle square, to take these earrings from a triple drop to a double. For more length, snap it back (the brand’s website illustrates this well).” Read more.
Christina Caruso’s Palm Leaf Earrings
“Christina Caruso has just the pair of earrings for a fashionable fall refresh. Though its name may bring forth thoughts of tropical temperatures, the Palm Leaf earring has that warm gold look appropriate for our current cooler season, with a shape and texture resembling its namesake’s. The earrings are handmade in New York of 14k gold-plated recycled brass.” Read more.
Stella Flame’s Maris Pearl Necklace
“‘Since my gallery is in the Hamptons and I’m partial to water locales—in Istanbul I live steps from the Bosporus—I was inspired to put a new spin on pearls by adding my favorite bejeweled creatures found in the ocean or along coastlines,’ Flame says. ‘Since they’ve proven to be so popular, we also offer our Stella Maris [animal] pearls individually—but it’s hard to pick just one!’” Read more.
Cicada’s Witch-on-a-Broom Brooch
“While Cicada’s creation certainly calls for Halloween exposure, it’s too gorgeous a treasure to reserve for one day (or month) out of the year. The symbol of the witch has been used to represent female empowerment, a challenge to the patriarchy—a potent sentiment suited to year-round wear, no matter the holiday or season.” Read more.
Matara’s Ornate All of the Stars Bracelet
““The result is an exquisite pearl that combines the artistry of human craftsmanship with the innate beauty of nature,’ she says. ‘The star shape of the pearl adds another layer of rarity and allure, as it showcases the harmonious collaboration between human intelligence and the organic processes of the freshwater shell.’” Read more.
Ruchi’s Aurora Nights Opal Ring
“With not one but two opals, the ring has an open-style setting—a bit of space between the gemstones breaks up their bounty of color. The band, which transitions from pink to purple to blue, has a surprising softness to it, perhaps in contrast to the shock of color from the stones.” Read more.
Sauer’s Spells Ring
“Apart from Halloween, the book conjures thoughts of centuries-old stories of strong women they called witches, who dared to stand for something. It’s an ode to the women of today, their perseverance and defiance—a reminder to check one’s list of spells when things get tough.” Read more.
Paul Morelli’s Dahlia Necklace
“We don’t have to tell you how versatile a piece like this is: It has a strong color combination, two of-the-moment hues that together appear elegant and soft but also youthful and jubilant. The dahlia flower is considered a symbol of beauty and kindness, especially if it’s pink, which symbolizes grace. This necklace is nothing if not graceful, its beauty obvious and alluring.” Read more.
Sean Gilson for Assael’s Riviere Necklace
“The necklace is not exactly what you’d call an everyday piece of jewelry. With 13 cultured South Sea pearls and nearly 25 carats of round brilliant diamonds—and a price available upon request—this isn’t your daily charm necklace that you really can get away with never taking off. But despite its luxurious components, it emits an easygoing vibe, like a livable luxury that looks positively plush to sink into.” Read more.
Baum und Pferdgarten x Skagen Locket
“Inspired by the fictional character Margot Tenenbaum—played by Gwyneth Paltrow in the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums (her style is so good we’re still enthralled with it over 20 years later)—the collection honors Wes Anderson’s signature filmmaking and celebrates Scandinavian design, two things no millennial (and perhaps Gen Zer) can get enough of.” Read more.
Yvonne Léon’s Chevaliere Signet Ring
“I’d be tempted to wear this supercool signet on my pinky—and that would elevate the ring’s already packed style power. With its green enamel background that appears to alternate with rows of golden studs, Léon has infused a dash of punk into this otherwise elegant piece. It first caught my eye because I thought it had a pattern of plaid (and during the holidays I am all about plaid—particularly gingham, which is what I see here).” Read more.
Modern Moghul’s Tanzanite Mahtab Ring
“‘This is a classic petite cocktail ring design from India,’ Modern Moghul’s curator James Dykema tells JCK. ‘Rings like this were often worn by Mughal royalty during the dynasty’s reign. The rose-cut diamonds and the tiny, finely cut diamonds serve as a base atop which the regal cabochon tanzanite is perched. As with many such cocktail rings of the time, even the setting of the primary stone is artfully crafted and decorated with diamonds. The inside of the settings and band are also decorated with gold plating to give the ring a warmer, more polished feel.’” Read more.
Nak Armstrong’s Palm and Stem Earrings
“Right now we’re in the thick of the holiday season. We’re busy with buying and selling, planning and partying, getting and gifting. But soon the holidays will be over, decorations will be taken down, and the cold of winter—without the merriment and commotion of social gatherings—will just feel, well, cold. We’ll need a vacation.” Read more.
Alice Cicolini’s Trapiche Emerald Ring
“That’s what makes this Alice Cicolini custom ring the ideal jewel for the final Britt’s Pick of 2023: It’s got holiday written all over it—in both senses of the word. The piece covers holiday as a noun with its cheery, verdant presence. For the verb, “to holiday,” the ring flaunts a look worthy of the tropics, with exotic flowers and a zigzagging chevron design for additional eye candy.” Read more.
Top: Lotus ring in 18k white gold with 12.72 ct. GIA-certified pink tourmaline and 1.55 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Kamal
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