JCK Asks…Jewelry Designer Pamela Love



Pamela Love crescent cluster studThe New York City–based designer’s new collection will be the centerpiece of piercing parties everywhere

Pamela Love floating opal clicker
Crescent Cluster stud with diamonds and Floating Opal Clicker (sold individually)

Just when you thought you had enough holes in your ears, think again. Pamela Love recently released a piercing collection, and it’s everything you’d expect: studs, hoops, and huggies featuring her signature motifs—think swords, hearts, stars and moons, fish and snakes—and stones such as lapis, opal, and diamonds, all in rich 14k yellow gold. As she recently said on Instagram, “New year, new ear.” 

Age: 37

Number of years in the biz: 12

Mungo the catNumber of employees you oversee: Eight

Family and pets: My husband, Matthew, and our cat, Mungo [pictured].

Describe your personal style: Eclectic.

First piece you ever designed: A pinky ring with my dad.

The single piece of jewelry you’re most proud of: I have a new favorite every month! I suppose I’m most proud of the five-spike earrings; I designed them in 2009, and they have really stood the test of time and are still one of our most iconic and popular styles. 

Pamela Love journey pink opal bracelet
Journey bracelet with pink opal beads and hand-carved brass charms

Favorite gemstone(s): Opal.

Best piece of advice you ever received: “Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.”

Worst piece of advice: “Become a chiropractor.”

First job ever: Blockbuster Video.

How did you get started designing jewelry? Even as a little kid I was designing jewelry with beads and string and clay and seashells. 

If you weren’t designing jewelry, what would you be doing? Filmmaker.

Jewelry you’re wearing right now: I just came from boxing, so not much aside from studs/hoops in every hole in my ears—we recently launched our first piercing collection and I have loaded up my ears. I have 12 holes in my ears.

Pamela Love 5 spike earrings
Five-spike earrings in 18k yellow gold with blue sapphires

Five items on your desk right now: A basket I bought in Guatemala, a strand of baroque pearls, a candle, a cactus, ­photo booth photos of me and Matthew.

Five songs on your playlist: “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” Neutral Milk Hotel; “Dancing on My Own,” Robyn; “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Sam Cooke; “Time Fades Away,” Neil Young; “Danny Nedelko,” Idles.

boxing glovesExercise regimen: Boxing three to four times a week.

What did you have for breakfast? Egyptian licorice tea.

Drink (daytime/evening): Mint tea/Recess CBD seltzer.

First website you check every day (not your own!): The New York Times.

Let my people go surfingScent: I love the face oil from Costa Brazil. I don’t need perfume when I wear this. Also Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence.

How do you unwind? A bath and a movie with Matt and Mungo.

Favorite place you’ve discovered in your travels: Suriname is the most amazing country. I could have spent forever in the Amazon.

Book you’re reading: Inner Engineering by Sadhguru.

Great Expectations Ethan GwynethBook you’ve been meaning to get to: Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard.

Favorite movie: Great Expectations [pictured] is one of my favorites.

Rachel WeiszWho would play you in your life story? That’s so hard! I’m a huge fan of Rachel Weisz [pictured]. I also love Liv Tyler.

Personal motto: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”

(Weisz: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP; Great Expectations: Everett; boxing gloves: Gizelka/Getty)

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