This summer won’t look like last year, or the year before that, though for some, maybe it won’t be all that different. As we’ve all been forced indoors for the last few months, and kept away from the majority of indoor spaces, many are feeling the call of the wild. Those vacationers inclined to travel for long hikes, cozy camping sites, and nature’s best views may feel like little has changed as they embark on their annual endeavors—but they’re going to have more competition.
That, at least as far as avoiding crowds is concerned, is the hard part. More and more people are channeling their connections with nature, reaching out to bond with the gifts of the earth. While many things look vastly different—no crowded concert venues, less highway traffic, the hustle and bustle of at-capacity restaurants are but a memory (for most)—nature hasn’t changed. The leaves still sway gently in the breeze. The flowers still bloom. The clouds still paint pictures across the sky. The sun still sets and the stars still shine. The birds still chirp, bees still buzz, animals still play (actually even more so in the absence of humans). Nature is reliable in this way. It’s soothing to know that it’s there, in all its familiarity, even when everything else is so unpredictable. Of course, I could go on a long tangent highlighting that this is precisely the reason why we need to do everything in our power to take care of our earth, but I’ll just leave that statement there (take note, though!) and move on to the goods.
As we embark on our outdoor adventures—whether that looks like a day at the beach, a journey through the mountains, or a stroll through the forest—you might not think jewelry is the most compatible component. And perhaps that’s true, though if it’s fairly low-maintenance jewelry, why not? Wearing glittering leaves, silvery flowers, and bejeweled bugs are a tribute to this miraculous thing that has us feeling somewhat good right now. Nature-inspired jewelry is a shrine to this earth that we should all sincerely worship.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of jewelry in this vein, something to please every person. Many designers infuse their own impressive aesthetics into these works of art (see Amy Elliott’s profile of designer Brent Neale’s flower jewels and paintings). You can go as simply as you’d like or as nuanced, price point or extravagant. Or, if you’d prefer, you could gravitate toward earthy tones rather than symbols—wooden browns, mossy greens.
These are just some of my recent favorites, a list that is certain to grow over time, and may our affinity and appreciation for nature grow with it.
Top: Picasso’s Roses earrings in 14k yellow gold, $600; Sofia Zakia
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