Tropic of Interest: Travel-Inspiring Jewelry

Lots of palm trees ahead

Anyone who knows me personally (or follows me on Instagram) knows I’m a travel junkie. Sure, a good portion of my vacation time is spent at some sort of Disney destination, but the rest is all about exploring new locations. If you just had the pleasure of visiting Tucson, I hope you were able to come away feeling refreshed, with a little vacation vibe to keep you going through February (even if you were there on business). February is the perfect month to travel: It’s cold, it’s a little bit depressing, and if you go away for long enough, the month is nearly over when you come back (and then it’s nearly spring!). So while I impatiently await the date of my next flight to take me away, I’m struck by the amount of jewelry that, if not actually inspired by far-off places, definitely gives off an air of the exotic. From the sea to the safari and every island in between, here are the jewels—some more literal in their interpretation than others—that are sure to inspire some vacation plans.

Tropicalia earrings in 18k dark rhodium and hand-carved wood with 12.8 cts. t.w. tourmaline and 1.11 cts. t.w. diamonds, $13,000; Graziela Gems

Shaker necklace in 14k gold with turquoise beads, shark tooth, and diamonds, $6,250; Jacquie Aiche

Palm tree pendant in 14k rose gold with pink mother-of-pearl and 0.12 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Kabana

Mix Match nautical earrings in white gold with 0.14 ct. t.w. diamonds, $750; KC Designs

Le Vian Exotics palm tree pendant in 14k Honey Gold with 0.58 ct. t.w. Chocolate Diamonds and Kiwiberry Green Diamonds, $2,350; Le Vian

Necklace in 19k yellow gold with 4.99 ct. Australian opal, 5.45 cts. t.w. sapphire, 1.78 cts. t.w. rose-cut and 4.18 cts. t.w. round brilliant diamonds, $43,000; Michael John Jewelry

Gecko bracelet in 18k yellow gold with 2.25 cts. t.w. topaz, 0.85 ct. t.w. olivine, and 0.3 ct. amethyst, price on request; Carrera y Carrera

One-of-a-kind Starfish Sea pendant in 18k yellow and white gold with 32.2 ct. boulder opal and 0.88 ct. t.w. diamonds, $36,500; Monica Rich Kosann

Animal-print three-strand necklace in sterling silver with agate, riverstone, and black onyx, $329; Rebecca Hook Jewelry

Tropical bird earrings in 18k black gold with turquoise, tsavorite, 0.24 ct. t.w. fancy sapphires, and 0.48 ct. t.w. champagne diamonds, $24,360; Lydia Courteille