I’ve put together an edit of my favorite discoveries, which range from droll and cheeky to eerie and foreboding. Many are evocative of ancient worlds or pay homage to the more recent conventions of the Art Nouveau style.
Moon faces are well-represented; I particularly love jewelry designer Llyn Strong’s Ladies in the Moonstone earrings, which feature not a “man” in the moon but the likenesses of two neoclassical maidens carved into moonstones in the 1940s.
There are also skulls, cameos traditional and newfangled, mixed media, and tiny sculptures chiseled from gleaming gold or silver—art jewelry that still feels elegantly cool and modern.
With jewels like these to turn my head (get it?), I feel more than ready to face whatever 2019 throws my way. How about you?
Harriet detachable pendant in 18k yellow gold, $3,680; Rush Jewelry DesignWest Medusa Relic earring in 14k yellow gold, $440; Sofia ZakiaRing with tsavorite, amethysts, rock crystal, and a fragment of a vintage paper in 18k rose gold, price on request; Francesca VillaThe Gold of Memories pendant with sapphires and diamonds in yellow gold, price on request; Atelier NarcéLadies in the Moonstone earrings with sapphires, diamonds, and vintage hand-carved moonstones in 18k white gold and platinum, price on request; Llyn StrongMoon Face earrings in blue and white etched varnish and lightweight brass, $381.50; JW Anderson at Net-a-PorterFace earrings in carved cow bone, 18k gold, and silver, price on request; Carolyn Morris Bach at Smithklein GallerySapphire Mask Trevelyan necklace with fancy-cut sapphires in 9k yellow gold, £887 ($1,118); Fraser Hamilton Jewellery
Le Jardeniere ring with rubies and diamonds in 18k yellow gold and silver, $17,500; Alp SagnakMicromosaic skull necklace in 18k white gold, price on request; Sicis by FuksasInverted Triangleface pendant with diamonds in 18k yellow gold and silver, $1,590; Anthony LentAstrology earrings in 18k gold plate, €160 ($182); Cleopatra’s Bling
Flamenco Blonde Girl enamel ring with rubies and white diamonds in 18k yellow gold, $4,940; Holly Dyment,Small pendant charm necklace in enamel and 14k gold, $3,700; Alison LouOwl earrings in hand-carved moonstone with hematite beaks and black onyx and gold eyes in 22k and 18k gold, $1,800; Whitney AbramsMedium Grey Lady Cameo ring in oxidized sterling silver, $150; Hannah BlountLe Baiser ring in clear crystal and gold vermeil, $345; Lalique
