As summer transitions into its golden phase, it’s the perfect time to refresh your jewelry collection with pieces that capture the essence of this warm, glowing season. This year, independent designers are blending natural, man-made, and precious materials to create highly wearable and stylish pieces, ideal for those late summer moments.
Sterling Silver: A Summer Essential
Sterling silver is a standout choice for summer jewelry. Its ability to gleam in the sunlight and complement most skin tones makes it a versatile and attractive option. Unlike gold, silver is more affordable, allowing for bolder and larger designs that can develop a unique, time-worn patina over time, adding a personal touch to each piece.
Belgian brand Lore Van Keer offers a remarkable collection that highlights the elegance of sterling silver. Known for their fine 18kt gold and precious-stone pieces, the brand also excels in creating stylish sterling silver jewelry. Each piece is crafted responsibly by skilled goldsmiths at their ateliers in Belgium, giving the collection a classic yet contemporary appeal. The designs play with volume and incorporate semi-precious stones like cloudy moonstones, olive-green tourmalines, and cognac citrines, all set in architectural forms that are both intriguing and timeless.
Faux-Gem Fusion: The Rise of Beads
Beads, often overlooked in the world of high fashion, are making a strong comeback, thanks to their humble, organic nature and versatility. Once considered merely beach trinkets, beads are now being elevated by leading fashion houses like Chanel and Dries Van Noten, who are incorporating them into their collections with a fresh perspective.
Vicki Sarge, a pioneer in the costume jewelry scene and co-founder of the renowned Erickson Beamon, is leading this trend with her innovative designs. Sarge has created bespoke pieces for celebrities like Rihanna and has crafted catwalk jewelry for designers such as Raf Simons and Erdem. This year, she opened her own boutique in South Kensington, where she continues to blend faux gems, hand-painted stones, and gold- and silver-plated metals into stunning creations. While her website may not fully capture the boutique’s offerings, a visit in person is well worth the trip for those seeking unique, handcrafted jewelry.