21 Seaside-Perfect Jewels for Summer’s Last Gasp



Between living in a New England beach town, multiple jaunts to Block Island, and stories about CB Stark on Martha’s Vineyard and Havens by KVD in the Hamptons, I’ve spent a lot of time this summer thinking about what I would call “seaside jewelry.” Pieces that would complement a beach-centric vacation or a lifestyle defined by proximity to water.

With Labor Day weekend on the horizon, I find myself daydreaming about how I’d curate a collection for a seaside jewelry boutique. I think about about the mounds of zinnias and black-eyed Susans I’d plant in the windowsills, the well-trampled sisal rug, the chilled rosé I’d have in the back. In my fantasy, there’s even a cat curled up on an antique lady’s slipper chair in the sunniest corner.

And lots and lots of exceptional designer jewelry.

You can think of the pieces below as a sort of best of summer 2019 highlight reel, but looking ahead to next year, I think my edit, broken into five categories, contains all the key ingredients for a compelling summer 2020 lineup. These categories are perennially appealing to thalassophiles, and the jewels themselves are perfect for the chicest of summer outfits and beyond.

Marine Life

Ana Katarina water ring
Four Elements Water flipping ring with Brazilian agate cameo, enamel, and diamonds in 18k gold, $14,700; Ana Katarina
Mio Harutaka angelfish pin
Angelfish pin with pink sapphires, diamonds, and black diamond in 18k gold, $16,100; Mio Harutaka
Guita M earrings
Earrings with carved opal flowers, white agate loops, and antique coral fish in 18k yellow gold, $5,000; Guita M.
Belle Etoile Delfino bangle
Delfino bangle in Italian enamel, crystals, and sterling silver, $535.50; Belle Étoile
Rachel Atherley Jellyfish earrings
Jellyfish earrings with pink tourmaline in 18k yellow gold, $1,100; Rachel Atherley

Shells

Eye M Ileana makri charm bracelet
Seashell bracelet in vermeil-plated bronze, $310; Eye M by Ileana Makri
Hannah Blount Gossamer baroque pearl necklace
Gossamer necklace with freshwater pearl and 14k yellow gold barnacles on a 14k yellow gold chain, $940; Hannah Blount
Bounkit shell necklace
Necklace with moonstone, coral, and seashells in 14k gold-plated brass, $936; Bounkit
Lalaounis pearl shell earrings
Shell earrings with freshwater pearls in 22k gold, $7,800; Lalaounis, 212-439-9400
Dezso shell pendant
Carved shell necklace in crystal quartz with sapphires in 18k gold, price on request; Dezso

Nautical Motifs

Seaman Schepps charms
Sconset lighthouse charms, prices on request; Seaman Schepps 
Kara Strope charm
Hand-enameled British coin pendant with 0.68 ct. t.w. pavé diamonds in oxidized sterling silver, $795; Kara Strope Designs

 

Heavenly Vices ship love token pendant
King George III shilling coin (1818) with scenic engraving and a 0.47 ct. t.w. diamond bezel set in silver, $3,000; Heavenly Vices

Surf Culture

Emily Wheeler earrings
One-of-a-kind Kitty Hawk collection Horizon earrings with Sleeping Beauty turquoise, yellow sapphires, and white baguette diamonds in 18k gold, $12,000; Emily P. Wheeler
Fils Unique beach ball cufflinks
The Beach Boy cufflinks in hand-painted enamel and sterling silver, $495; Fils Unique

 

Blues & Greens

Joon Han aquamarine earrings
Earrings with aquamarines and blue topaz in 18k gold, $7,500; Joon Han
Fernando Jorge earrings
Astro earrings with mint chrysoprase, paraiba tourmaline, and diamonds in 18k yellow gold, price on request; Fernando Jorge
Polly Wales sapphire earrings
Celeste multidrop earrings with blue sapphires in 18k yellow gold, price on request; Polly Wales
Jacquie Aiche opal ring
Kite Shield ring with opal inlay and aquamarine center stone in 14k rose gold, $6,875; Jacquie Aiche
Eriness blue sapphire tennis bracelet
Blue sapphire tennis bracelet in 14k gold, $2,950; Eriness

 

Top: Nautical motifs would be abound in my fantasy jewelry boutique by the sea, supremely exemplified by these magnificent earrings in 18k gold, blue enamel, and pearls; $15,620; Christina Alexiou.

 

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Amy Elliott

JCK Contributing Editor

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