Super Into the Woods: Maria Canale’s Voyager Collection

It was impossible not to admire the new Voyager collection pieces from Maria Canale during Las Vegas Jewelry Week. They’re distinguished by polished German walnut wood elements, but it’s their juxtaposition with bright blue topaz, rich toffee-colored smoky topaz, and 18k gold that makes the overall effect ultra compelling: graphic, exotic, and the height of resort chic.

That was my initial impression and that was before I knew the line’s inspiration, which effectively romances the product even more. Voyager nods to the Grand Tour travelers of the 1920s and 1930s, which took the upper classes to faraway lands in refined style and comfort. Ocean liners were designed with highly polished wood-paneled interiors, and the commercial aircrafts of the day were robust, bullet-nose structures in streamlined stainless steel (the collection’s sugar loaf cuts subtly reference the latter).

I love that Canale offers glimpses of this era, deftly recasting it as jewelry that’s immensely wearable in today’s lifestyle. People talk about “vacation jewelry” and Voyager is surely a supreme example, whether you’re headed to Santorini or Sag Harbor.

But the genius thing? The deep chocolate-brown luster of the wood makes these jewels ideal for warm-weather fall looks, too. Especially the designs with smoky topaz (there are also versions in deep green tourmaline and rhodolite).

My favorite wear-now pieces, below.