“I’m a huge fan of fine jewelry that looks way more expensive than it actually is. Especially when diamonds are involved!”
Who said this? Oh, right, that was me, in the June issue of JCK. Now that it’s November and the holiday party is about to get started for real, I was inspired to hunt down some similar ideas as potential additions to your holiday edit.
I tried to imagine the mindset of a client buying one of the jewels highlighted below, how they’d want a holiday gift to be really special and impressive-looking, like they legit robbed a bank (or won the lottery), but not exceed a $5,000 price tag. Or, okay, $500.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
This Glitzy Bangle
I’m obsessed with Vahan’s bracelets because they make two-tone styles look really chic and sophisticated. You get a lot of workmanship—like this style’s textured 14k gold end caps encrusted in really nice white diamonds—for the price. And the bracelets are so lightweight you just want to pile them on. Obviously, the sterling silver element keeps this style attainable, but when presented in a hinged velvet jewel box wrapped just so, all you see is shine, shine, shine.
These Glamorous Rings
One of the things jewelers love about Roberto Demeglio is that the look is very “fancy Italian jewelry designer,” but items like his famous springy, stretch bracelets have a stackable, collectible quality without the overexposure of some of the bigger gioielli brands (and their standard markups). Consider the Aura collection, for example, where most pieces are retailing at around $500. The secret to the jewels’ affordability is the brand’s very clever use of ceramic as the main ingredient—glossy, gleamy, and expensive-looking, especially when paired with diamonds. Of course, I fell for some of the designer’s pricier, blingier jumbo cocktail rings, but the one shown up top is smaller and clocks in at under $2,000. These, too, all have bands featuring the brand’s signature flexible stretch mechanism, making the rings feel lighter, and more comfortable, than a comparable design made in solid gold or platinum.
This Statement Lariat
Doesn’t this lariat look like it costs a lot more than it does? That’s kind of designer Phillip Gavriel’s thing. In this particular style, it might be just a pinch of diamonds and two little 18k gold tips to finish the ends of the silver beads, but the effect of these luxe touches is major. Like black-tie- event major. See also: this swinging 1970s-inspired tassel necklace that I fell in love with at JCK Las Vegas 2018.
Top: Medium Dama heart ring in matte black ceramic with black and white diamonds set in 18k white gold, $1,698; Roberto Demeglio
Follow me on Instagram – @aelliott718
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
