It’s Written in the Gems: Astrological and Personalized Jewelry Designs

You don’t need your 2013 horoscope to tell you that wearing your astrological sign or another personalized design may bring you compliments—not to mention a great deal of delight.

On the high end of fine jewelry, Van Cleef & Arpels’ new Palais de la Chance collection “offers lucky charms that will last a lifetime,” reports the December 2012 issue of Elle. Zodiac signs represented in the collage are a Leo clip of yellow gold with yellow and white diamonds, sapphires, and an oval-cut ruby set in white gold; a white gold Scorpio clip with diamonds, multicolor sapphires, spinels, and black opal; a white gold Aries clip with yellow and orange sapphires, mandarin garnets, blue sapphire, and oval-cut mandarin garnets set in 18k yellow gold; a white gold Taurus clip with diamonds, emeralds, onyx, gray mother-of-pearl, and cabochon sapphire; a white gold Pisces clip with diamonds, lapis lazuli, and emerald-cut aquamarine; and a white gold Aquarius clip with diamonds, black lacquer, sapphires, mystery-set sapphires, and rose-cut diamond. The necklace pictured, also from Van Cleef & Arpels, is white gold with diamonds, blue and yellow sapphires, garnets, coral beads, fire opal beads, cultured white pearls, and a pear-cut ruby.

The December 2012–January 2013 issue of People StyleWatch highlights nine personalized jewelry pieces, noting that “Bracelets, necklaces and earrings with initials, names and astrological signs make an impact and always feel meaningful.” Astrological signs are featured in the form of a gold-plated metal bracelet from 1929 Galore and an astrology pendant set with two interpretations of each zodiac sign from J.C. Penney. Single initials appear on a hand-dyed silk bracelet with engraved sterling silver charm from Wren & Glory; a tiny gold block letter pendant necklace from Golden Thread; a cotton-embroidered pendant in silver-plated brass from The Merriweather Council on Etsy; a bangle in yellow gold plate from Sarah Chloe; and a pair of two different single initial stud earrings in 14k gold-plated sterling silver from Jubile Jewel on Etsy that allow for a two-initial effect. A name is spelled out on an ID necklace or nameplate chain in gold fill from West Avenue Jewelry. Finally, a customized map pendant in 14k gold plate, includes a miniature map of any location marked with a diamond—a clever jewelry offering from Three Jane by Katie Schloss.

Among the made-to-order gifts featured in the December 2012–January 2013 issue of More is an etched single initial bangle from Alex & Ani. More comments on this “modern monogram”: “The chic, antique look of Alex & Ani’s etched initial bangles belies their Secret Santa worthy price point. Stack three with a first, middle and last initial—or, for a mother or grandmother, get a bracelet adorned with the first letter of each child’s or grandchild’s name.” Also featured is an 18k gold customized cuff  from Jeanine Payer “crafted and engraved by hand in the artist’s San Francisco studio. Choose from dozens of inspirational excerpts from books or poems—or provide your own message.”

 

Pictured in a fashion spread in the November 2012 issue of InStyle: three-initial monograms on a sterling silver cuff from Karen Lindner Designs; a pair of rose gold-plated earrings from Jane Basch Jewelry Designs; and a gold-filled chain and tag with a second sterling silver tag from Three Sisters Jewelry Design. A two-initial monogram accents a chunky brass and silver-plated necklace with pewter from NC Bis by Nancy Caten, and is created with a pair of two different single initial stud earrings in 14k gold from Melissa Joy Manning. Single initials appear in an assortment of rings in rose gold vermeil, sterling silver, and gold vermeil from Loud Loud Jewelry; a sterling silver charm attached to a faux-suede bracelet from Dalla Nonna; a gold-plated bracelet from Danielle Stevens; a gold vermeil necklace and charm from Giles & Brother; and a sterling silver bracelet from Sarah Chloe. A flat blank surface ring from Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry is also pictured, the price of which includes unspecified engraving/hand-stamping.

Five delicate examples of personalized jewelry—four featuring a single initial—are featured in the October 2012 issue of Lucky, which notes: “The little personal necklace has had multiple reincarnations. Until now, your options were either flowery script or minimalist sans serif. No longer.” Pictured are a sterling silver Love Letter pendant (“So collegiate”) from FemmeMetale.com; a gold-filled Bubble letter pendant (“Gigantic! Yet dainty”) from Gaugenyc.com; a sterling silver Love Letters pendant (“Inspired by David Hicks”) by India Hicks; a 14k gold Mini Letter necklace (“Off-center minimalism”) from Maya Brenner Designs; and a sterling silver Swirly Initial (“Sweetly girly”) from Jane Basch Designs. The rhinestone brooch pictured in the story above on the page is from Juliana by Delizza & Elster.

Over the months and years, Harper’s Bazaar has illustrated its monthly horoscope page with examples of luscious zodiac-influenced jewelry styles. The October 2012 issue pictures an elaborate Libra pendant from Solange Azagury-Partridge.

The September 2012 issue of Town & Country features a multicolor gem-accented signet ring from London designer Carolina Bucci, lower left on the page. Also pictured on the “Bijoux News” page are a fish-shaped charm and earrings from Faraone Mennella; gold bangles and mother-of-pearl earrings form Ippolita; and a selection of rhodium-plated silver jewelry from Coomi.

Who knows? Maybe that jewelry on your wrist or around your neck will be the conversation-starter that changes the entire trajectory of your New Year.  

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