Postcard From Nantucket: Scenes From Katherine Jetter’s Sparkling Summer

By Amy Elliott | August 04, 2022

When you don’t have a yacht, you have a yacht rock playlist to make you feel like you’re living an endless, gin-and-tonic-soaked summer at sea (in your best one-shouldered Halston to show off that tan).

And when you can’t get to Nantucket, the famously posh island off the coast of Massachusetts, you hit up designer and retailer Katherine Jetter, owner of the Vault Nantucket, to find out what the season is turning up in terms of trends.

I’ve checked in with Jetter every summer for at least the last few years for: 1) a little luxury contact high such that my own New England surroundings don’t really approximate, and 2) a sense of any trends to watch this fall and holiday.

“Color is everywhere this summer,” Jetter tells JCK. “Neon yellow is a big hit and it is making us all so happy! Cadar feather earrings always sell well during the summer. Floating diamond necklaces by Graziela are another great beachy item. Other brands that are doing particularly well are Melissa Kaye, Robinson Pelham, Fernando Jorge, and a new one for us, Ondyn.”

Katherine Jetter one of a kind jewels — *Katherine Jetter’s own opal and electric enamel pieces are getting a “great response,” according to the designer/retailer.*

“The trend continues to be a lot of layering, a lot of stackable bracelets, stackable rings, tennis necklaces—they are a thing of the ’80s that have suddenly come back and everyone wants them. And people continue to want to put more and more holes in their ears,” she says.

Diane Kordas rainbow choker — *Hot summer seller at the Vault: Rainbow gemstone chokers by Diane Kordas*

Mortiz Glick bracelet — *“Moritz Glik’s collection has been exceptional this season,” says Jetter.*

Despite the onset of the high season on Nantucket, in June Jetter was able to get away to the Las Vegas jewelry shows, showing her own work with ViewPoint showroom and scouting for new talent to carry in her store. “I really enjoyed discovering some new collections in Vegas, like Anna Maccieri Rossi, and I am also in love with from Vram—the movement and workmanship of his pieces is exceptional.”

Other new additions to the store include Dru and Walters Faith.

Dru medallion — *“I think Dru has a really deep meaning with her collection, and I love all the different messages, and I love what the designer is all about,” says Jetter.*

Walters Faith rings — “Walters Faith are two sisters who when we all started out in the business, we used to do at-home trunk shows together,” says Jetter. “We rediscovered each other this year, and it was fun to bring my friends back into the mix.”

But perhaps the most exciting “happening” on island this summer is the debut of Jetter’s new Lady of the Rings line, a seven-piece signet ring collection crafted in 18k yellow gold, etched with a unique symbol, and bordered with baguette diamonds. “Never before has my work felt so personal, and I am so excited to introduce this collection to the world,” says Jetter.

Katherine Jetter lady of the rings — Silvia Furmanovich created a custom marquetry box to house the Lady of the Rings collection in its entirety. Priced at $2,500–$3,800, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Nantucket Historical Society.

To celebrate the launch of Lady of the Rings—and to welcome designer Fernando Jorge, who flew in from London for a trunk show at the Vault—in July, Jetter organized a special event and trunk show for select friends and clients. The luncheon featured historical jewelry artifacts that were specially brought in by the Nantucket Historical Association’s chief curator, Michael Harrison; Jetter and Jorge joined him and Moda Operandi’s director of fine jewelry Abby Huhtanen in a panel discussion that focused on the historical significance of gifting jewelry to loved ones and how travel—and global perspectives—can spark creativity in innumerable forms.

Katherine Jetter Fernando Jorge event — *The Vault Nantucket luncheon was held in the gardens of historic venue the Greater Light and showcased a selection of Jorge’s jewels as well as pieces from Jetter’s own collection.*

And there’s more merriment to come. Jetter will maintain a bustling schedule of in-store events through August with a trunk show scheduled for this week (Hoorsenbuhs) and next (Silvia Furmanovich).