Beautiful Jewelry Inspired by Flowers
While we tend to associate spring with flowers, blooms tend to be beloved all year round —even if we’re just remembering the spring’s bounty. There are some blossoms we can experience no matter what the season, however: flowers that appear in art, and in this case, the wearable art that is jewelry. The following pieces of jewelry feature floral designs and some even include real flowers! Wearing any of these lovely blooms, you’ll feel the fresh romance of Spring and new beginnings.
This nature-inspired ring is a lovely reminder of Spring’s beauty and innocence. The friendly daisy bloom sits atop a twig band cast in recycled gold from a real Central Park twig. This ring is the definition of comfortable luxury.
Barbara Michelle Jacobs Blossoming Branch Necklace in Sterling Silver
This delicate and graceful sterling silver necklace was cast from a blossoming branch with fresh buds using the ancient lost wax casting method. This pretty piece can add a touch of polish to everyday outfits as well as more formal wear.
Barbara Michelle Jacobs Organic Tulip Design Post Earrings
Elegant and understated, these gold earrings inspired by tulips feature a small sparkling diamond in the center. These timeless earrings can be paired with almost anything. What you wear them with is up to you, but one thing is for certain—these little blooms will certainly elevate your look!
Livin Lovin’ Bracelet Made with Real Flowers and Eco-Friendly Resin
The creative designer behind Livin Lovin’ places real flowers in eco-friendly resin for a fresh take on floral jewelry. Some of her pieces include flakes of real gold leaf for a glamorous touch. These delightfully affordable pieces make nice gifts for flower lovers.
Antique Late Victorian Natural Pearl Diamond Silver Gold Brooch
This Late Victorian-era brooch features a bouquet of diamond-set flowers and leaves tied tightly with a diamond-set bow. The large, natural baroque pearl lends the piece a sophisticated touch.
For those who love minimalist jewelry, these tulip earrings by contemporary designer Anat Basanta are a hybrid of stud and dangle earring—the gold stem freely moves, giving the earrings a fun, whimsical quality.
Passion Flower Made Live Succulent Ring
Succulent jewelry designer Susan McLeary trims succulent roots and secures them to jewelry using a plant-safe floral glue. All of the succulents are locally sourced from a family-owned greenhouse, and the jewelry bases are sourced from other small businesses. The jewelry is intended for special occasion wear—perfect for a botanical-themed wedding!—but if treated gently, the pieces can be enjoyed for a few weeks.
Antique Diamond and Sapphire Brooch circa 1930s
This stunning brooch was likely created towards the end of the Art Nouveau era during which flowers and the natural world inspired fluid, languid lines in various art forms. The bright diamonds and the dark blue sapphires create an elegant contrast.
Shiffers Oxidized Silver Tulip Ring
Sometimes jewelry really does look like wearable art. This oxidized silver ring featuring a copper tulip is indeed a statement piece. The avant-garde design should be allowed to take center stage in any outfit.
Are you enchanted by these flower-inspired pieces?
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Photos: Barbara Michelle Jacobs, Livin Lovin’ via Etsy, 1stDibs, Anat Basanta Jewelry, Passion Flower Made via Etsy, Shiffers
5 Creators of Stunning Sculptural Jewelry
While all jewelry is art, sculptural jewelry is a special kind of art. It’s jewelry that thinks outside of the box—and indeed sometimes has trouble fitting into an actual box. Some sculptural jewelry is designed to be worn, boldly, while other pieces are intended more for display—whether that’s in your curio cabinet or in a modern art museum. Either way, these designs are far from boring. If you do find yourself wearing a piece of sculptural jewelry, savor the experience of participating in a work of art. After all, while these pieces are quite striking on their own, they ultimately draw attention to the exquisite contours of the human body.
Jeweler Lexi Daly created a series of sculptural necklaces from coffee shop waste including coffee cups, stir sticks, and coffee cup jackets. The series is intended to raise awareness about how much waste is created by disposable coffee cups. According to Daly’s website, “In 2010 Americans consumed 23 billion coffee cups. To create those cups 9 million trees were cut down, 5 billion gallons of water were used, creating 363 billion pounds of waste.”
“FireFall” features coffee cup jackets that have been folded, painted, and varnished. When worn, the necklace sounds like bamboo wind chimes blowing in a light breeze. The back of the necklace can be taken off, and a simple chain can be attached for times when the wearer would like a smaller version of the necklace. It would also make a lovely display piece.
Cheryl Eve Acosta Multi-Media Necklace
Designed to position the human body as a site of display, Cheryl Eve Acosta’s sculptural jewelry combines various media (including silver, gold, copper, enamel, and fabric) to echo the natural world with an engaging twist. Acosta’s designs are inspired by the cycle of life as well as the beauty of coastal life and contemporary fashion.
“I am really inspired by fairy tales and fables. Especially those with a dark undertone or moral to the story, like the original versions of Grimm’s Fairy Tales or Aesop’s fables. Overall, stories are an important part of my creative process,” Emily Cobb says of her sculptural jewelry.
“I imagine plots and characters that inspire the jewelry’s composition and form, ” she says, “Then I think about material choice, how the work will interact with the body, etc. At this point, the story and the piece are not definitive. The appearance of the characters, or the direction of the plot, may change as the jewelry piece is designed and made.”
Cobb employs computer-assisted design (CAD), colored nylon, and photopolymers to brings her beautiful visions to life.
“I first design the jewelry pieces on the computer using a 3D modeling program called Rhinoceros, which I learned as an undergraduate at Tyler. When I finish building the digital 3D model, I send the file to a 3D printer. Finally, once I receive my 3D printed parts, I dye and assemble the pieces.”
Charlotte Chesnais Sculptural Jewelry
After studying at Studio Berçot in Paris and working at Balenciaga in jewelry design, Charlotte Chesnais began her own jewelry line. Handcrafted in France, Chesnais’ unique sculptural jewelry blends fine craftsmanship with conceptual edge, combining sophisticated, contemporary lines with dainty minimalism. The designer’s materials include silver, vermeil, and 18 karat gold.
Samantha Nania Precarious Balance
Samantha Nania’s creative work emphasizes preciousness—the idea that everything we wear or own should be cherished and well cared for.
Nania also prioritizes reducing her material waste and makes a point to use even the smallest bits of material. Her designs that include wood are created with excess cutoffs from furniture making and flooring installation. Indeed, no piece is too small to be used in a conscious and loving way.
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Photo: Lexi Daly, Cheryl Eve Acosta, InLiquid Art + Design, Charlotte Chesnais, Samantha Nania
Trend Watch: Asymmetry in Jewelry
You've probably noticed asymmetrical jewelry lately. Whether it’s in the form of “mismatched” earrings or modern, amorphous clusters of stones, this trend combines a youthful spirit of creativity with contemporary elegance. The following pieces are all about individuality and breaking the rules with a twinkle in your eye. You’ll find that despite the apparent geometrical imbalance of this jewelry, each piece manifests its own, unique brand of visual balance.
Barbara Michelle Jacobs Esperanza Twig Hoop Earrings
Made with 100% reclaimed silver and cast from Central Park twigs, these sexy, oxidized sterling silver earrings come with a removable white silver pod. Perfect for sultry evenings out.
Barbara Michelle Jacobs Blue Sapphire Solitaire Engagement Ring
The subtle asymmetry of the silver band in this sapphire solitaire engagement ring comes from the twig that was cast for this ring. Sometimes the most beautiful things are found in nature—and nature plays by her own design rules.
Tessa Packard London Courtesan’s Earrings in Blue
These cleverly asymmetrical earrings are decorated with pave-set black diamonds, carved lapis, and suspended sapphire, smoky quartz, and tourmaline gemstones. Truly a glamorous set for the woman with a creative edge.
Jordan Alexander Gold Ring with Diamonds and Feather
This remarkable ring is indeed an attention-grabbing statement piece that combines mixed metals and several small diamonds with a large pearl.
Inspired by crusty yet beautiful old boats and pier beams, these “mismatched” sterling silver barnacle studs are a fun choice for anyone who loves life by the beach.
Xiao Wang Mismatching Gravity Earrings
These stunning asymmetrical earrings come with lots of movement and sparkle. They’re the jewelry equivalent of a fine glass of champagne accompanied by your favorite jazz track.
MeiraT Diamond & Semiprecious Stone Bracelet
Described as “artfully imperfect,” this delicate bracelet combines small diamonds with a beautiful stone (choices include labradorite, blue opal, mother-of-pearl, and ruby).
Eden Presley Golden Mantra Choker
Combining three trends in one—mantras, asymmetry, and chokers, oh my!—this fun, customizable necklace was created to remind us of what’s important in life.
What’s your favorite asymmetrical piece?
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Photos: Barbara Michelle Jacobs, Tessa Packard London, Jordan Alexander, Casey Sharpe, Nordstrom
Trend Watch: Wellness Jewelry
The fashion world has taken note of the increasing focus on wellness (see all of the yoga class-friendly athleisure for proof!)—and trendy jewelry has followed suit. Combining wellness traditions (like aromatherapy, meditation charms, and crystal healing) with high-end style, the following wellness pieces aim to help you cultivate inner peace—and look good while doing it! These pieces can help facilitate meditation or simply serve as a reminder to practice self-care in the middle of a busy day.
Taryn Toomey Aquamarine Necklace
Aquamarine is believed to soothe the emotional body, support the throat chakra, and promote healthy and open communication.
VLTA Essential Oil Diffusing Jewelry
These beautiful eco-friendly pieces can house a small amount of essential oils (about 15 drops) that gently diffuse while you’re wearing the jewelry. The charm may also be used to topically apply essential oils for a more immersive essential oil experience.
Satya Jewelry Renewed Self Tassel Earrings
Inspired by summer’s rejuvenating quality, these silk tassel earrings are designed to soothe the senses while the gold lotus symbolizes new beginnings.
Ganesh, the Indian god of removing obstacles and fostering new beginnings, is depicted in 22 karat gold alongside an amethyst tusk and a garnet stone. Together, these three charms are designed to inspire compassion, love, success, and good fortune.
The Tulsi Project Yoga-Inspired Jewelry
Inscribed with phrases like “Om Shanti” and “Namaste,” these pieces are designed to inspire self-love: “I hope to inspire in the women who wear my designs a sense of self-love because I think that once we can begin to love and accept ourselves for who we are, we can extend that love outwards to others much more easily,” says founder and designer Tiffany Taylor Kenney. Part of the proceeds from Tulsi Project jewelry goes toward the ASPCA and Feeding America.
The Sage Lifestyle Amazonite Pendant on Ombre Sky Ribbon by Sage Machado
The tranquil color of Amazonite is celebrated for the way it inspires emotional balance and loving actions while reducing worry and fear.
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Photos: Taryn Toomey, VLTA, Satya, Prana Jewelry, The Tulsi Project, The Sage Lifestyle
Trend Watch: Mixed Metals
Stylish individuals combine pieces made with different metals for a “collected” look—a look that suggests the wearer has gathered several cool pieces over time.
Trend Watch: The Choker Today and Yesterday
As with many fashion trends, the choker has dipped in and out of our sartorial radar. Also, like several of the styles we keep coming back to, the choker has a rich a varied tradition
Trend Watch: Black Jewelry
Black jewelry of all kinds punctuated the fashion runways. From polished to rough to somewhere in between, there is a variety of ways to enjoy black jewelry.
