Holiday 2018: Jewelry Ideas for the Toe of My Stocking

I had a Christmas stocking until I was 31 years old. No joke. And lucky me, my “Santa Claus” had very good taste in jewelry. The best gift was always the last to be opened and placed in the toe of the stocking accordingly.

I have no idea if this is Santa’s M.O. in general or what, but it sort of falls in line with the whole “good things come in small packages” proverb, which, I’m sure you’ll agree, is best understood in the context of giving and receiving jewelry.

I’ve been looking at my jewelry iPhone photos from this year—honestly there are thousands of them—to be reminded of the favorite things I saw at previews and trade shows (more than 400 snapped at JCK Las Vegas 2018 alone). I have professed my affinity for glamazons more than a few times on this blog, but you know what? Those guys have no hope of fitting in a stocking.

And that’s how I arrived at this edit of comparatively low-key, but infinitely wearable jewels that are at the top of my wish list. All could fit neatly in a little velvet or organza pouch or ring box. Okay, the matching Victorian gold cuffs from St. John & Myers in Lexington, Ky., might be pushing it. Ditto the Mio Harutaka bunnies and that astounding ruby and diamond cocktail ring from Etho Maria Haute Joaillerie. But the heart wants what it wants.

I don’t know who my Santa is these days, but if they’re (gender-neutral pronoun intended) reading this, I’m just going to say? You have 14 chances to get it right…