Heat waves and school vacations are signs that summertime is here—and that means beachy jewelry trending toward shell silhouettes, coral, and whimsical sea animal shapes.
Whether it is demi-fine for poolside or fine jewelry for outdoor white parties, jewelry designers are bringing hues of orange, blue, and white—the colors of coral and the sea—into their work to reflect the warmer temperatures and feelings of summer escapism.
One such designer, Sanaz Doost, creates meaningful, bold, and eye-catching wearable art pieces handcrafted in 18k gold at her Toronto atelier. Doost recently shared a variety of pieces in shimmering gold, turquoise, and tiger’s eye at the Couture show in Las Vegas.
Sanaz Doost peacock ring
Peacock ring in 18k gold with natural Persian turquoise, $16,800; Sanaz Doost
One of her newest designs is a shell-shape tiger’s eye ring dotted with a hint of turquoise on its side. But her true seasonal standout is the Peacock ring with natural Persian turquoise. It’s a statement jewel that would complete any summer outfit.
“I just love the contrast of the blue against the sandblasted gold,” Doost says. “It reminds me of the sand near the ocean.”
Sydney Evan has caught the summertime jewelry wave with her new Nautical collection, which includes instant classics like gold and diamond starfish earrings and a great pool-day bracelet of blue opal rondelles with a diamond and sapphire dolphin charm.
“The Nautical collection captures the nostalgic feeling of the sea in an elegant way,” says Rosanne Karmes, Sydney Evan founder and designer. “From the pink sapphire and diamond starfish earrings to the diamond multi-shell bracelet, each piece evokes coastal charm and pays tribute to the beauty and serenity of the ocean. It’s about bringing a bit of that beachside magic into everyday life.”
In response to growing demand for resort-inspired pieces, Jenna Blake recently introduced a selection of charms designed to bring a spirit of waterfront escape to everyday wear. From bejeweled seahorses and starfish to diamond-framed shells and enamel helix motifs, the pieces channel a summer vacation feel, infused with Blake’s signature use of color.
Her showstopper for the summer is a pair of 18k gold jellyfish earrings that feature diamonds on each tentacle—a total of 26.23 cts.—making this one sea creature you wouldn’t be afraid of touching.
Here is some other jewelry perfect for the summer, including pieces from Jenna Blake as well as Picchiotti, Goldstories, and others.
Oscar Hayman coral ring
Platinum ring with 27.71 ct. round coral and 3.26 cts. t.w. pear-shape diamonds, $48,000; Oscar Heyman
Katey Walker earrings
Shell and pearl drop earrings in 14k rose gold, $1,495; Katey Walker
Jenna Blake summer
(Right) Seahorse charm in 18k yellow gold with diamond, turquoise, opal, pearl, and ruby, $3,200, on necklace with pink sapphire–framed shell and multicolor, multi-gem starfish charms; Jenna Blake
Picchiotti onyx coral ceramic
Xpandable bracelet with onyx, coral ceramic, and diamonds, $54,800; Picchiotti
Seaman Schepps cufflinks
Shell cufflinks and studs in 18k gold accented with pink tourmaline, sapphire, citrine, and peridot, $11,250 for set of four; Seaman Schepps
Goldstories seahorse
Seahorse brooch in 14k gold with African ruby baguettes along spine and tsavorite garnet eye, $1,900; Goldstories
Top: Multi-charm necklace in 14k gold with aquamarine and sea urchin rondelles and diamond sand dollar and eye charms, $5,350; Sydney Evan