Kathleen Whitaker Introduces Stone Collection

Los Angeles designer Kathleen Whitaker, whose notoriety grew in October 2016 thanks to Michelle Obama gracing InStyle wearing a pair of the designer’s earrings, has launched her second stone collection. The designer has been in business since 2003 and is known for simple and class gold designs. But upon discovering vintage stones from Victorian-era jewelry, she was inspired to experiment with semiprecious gems and launched her first stone collection in March 2016. In this year’s range, pieces utilize unusual materials like pyrite, striped quartz,

In this year’s range, pieces utilize unusual materials like pyrite, striped quartz, amber, and rhyolite as well as hand-picked stones sourced from around the world, including pietersite, Sleeping Beauty turquoise, and vintage Venetian drawn glass beads. “The collection is aptly named after the component that does all the work,” says Whitaker. “The stones—both precious and more humble—hold all the beauty. And the settings and designs aim to preserve those raw, organic qualities setting them simply in honed, sleek gold forms.”

Most pieces are priced from $750 to $5,750. Barneys New York secured the exclusive right to sell the line at retail, and a trunk show at the Madison Avenue location will continue through May 21.