STYLE

Tips on Essential Summer Jewels From The Pros June 29, 2017HOW TO WEAR, STYLEOff

Want to beat the heat and still look pulled together and polished? Take a tip from the pros-jewelry designers, retailers, antique dealers, publicists and editors who let us in on how they bejewel and still stay cool during the warm weather months. Here they share with us their go-to piece for summer.

COLORFUL EARRINGS

Randi Molofsky, Co-Owner /FOR FUTURE REFERENCE (Fine Jewelry Brand Development Agency)

“This is definitely the summer of the statement earring and I literally can not stop wearing my one-of-a-kind Retrouvaí ‘Gypsy’ earrings with everything in my wardrobe. A birthday gift from my bestie/business partner Meaghan, these mixed tourmaline drop earrings, set in 14k yellow gold, are the perfect pop of color for almost any outfit. I also love the asymmetrical design and juicy gemstone color combo, hand-chosen by Retrouvai designer, Kirsty Stone. And, they are the perfect length. They don’t weigh my lobes down, but they do have swing, movement and offer a high-fashion look.”

VINTAGE COCKTAIL RING

Michelle Orman, President-Owner /Last Word Communications (Publicity Agency)

“I’ m really excited about my new green tourmaline ring I recently picked out from Geller & Co. at the Las Vegas Antique Show! The stone is such a yummy color, and I love that the setting is circa 1970’s, which is so in style at the moment. It mixes in perfectly with my precious ‘Love’ ring from Mark Patterson and my heartbeat ring from Delphine Leymarie. I’ve been wearing it every day since I got it and it definitely will be the piece I continue to wear with other jewels in my collection, all summer and beyond!”

CHANGEABLE ADD-ON PENDANT NECKLACE

Beth Bugdaycay, Designer /Foundrae

“I tend to have my ‘base’ jewelry that I wear everyday. But I do change out the medallions on my necklace or the way in which I wear the chains. The necklace in the photo has an annex link I’ve designed to open and close so I can wear it with just one, two, or a multiple of pendants. This is definitely a must for me in the summer, particularly when I travel and want to go light. I can still have a range of looks for hanging out at the pool, sightseeing or a night out with just a quick change of medallions.”

ANTIQUE CHAIN

Rebecca Selva, Chief Creative Officer, and PR director/Fred Leighton

“Easy and breezy—that is what summer jewelry needs to be. Pieces you don’t have to think about or fuss over. One of my personal favorites that I can wear in multiple ways is this Victorian ultra long chain. It’s really a beauty –I particularly love the design details and three-dimensional openwork stations, which give it so much character and presence. The length allows me to change it up for different outfits. It can be worn long or doubled for a classic look or as a triple strand choker. If I were to pair it with another piece of jewelry, it would be earrings with a pop of color, like these turquoise pendant earrings, also from the Victorian era. Both are great collectibles and wardrobe staples.”

CHARM NECKLACE

Michele Edwards/Charm Aficionado

“I like to wear tiny charms on light chains when the temperature rises. They’re not too heavy and don’t weigh you down. Sometimes I’ll go for just one; other times, I prefer wearing multiples in a festoon style. Either way, I make sure they hit at a point that doesn’t interfere with my summer tan. I wore a big disc medallion once on a very sunny day at my son’s all-day lacrosse tournament and boy, did that leave a strange tan line –a huge circle

ORGANIC EARRINGS

Jen Heebner, Editor, JenniferHeebner.com

“My go-to piece for summer, and most seasons, really, are my Kimberly McDonald druzy drop earrings. They are lightweight and striking in an understated way because the druzy, diamonds and the gold are all black. Friends have noticed how much I wear them—they go with just about everything in my wardrobe.”

ANTIQUE ROSE PENDANT

“I take out my antique coral rose which I backed in silver on an oxidized silver chain. It was one of the first of my carved rose pieces, a one of a kind, which was the springboard for the other carved rose designs in a variety of stones in my collection. I like the length – just a little longer than a choker,  which in Manhattan you can really only wear in summer.  I am also really drawn to its casual natural feel. It’s lightweight and the perfect juxtaposition to other more edgy pieces I wear such as the black lariat and the silver and gold diamond accented talisman that I change around and often and wear in different combinations. I  also think it looks really easy and elegant when worn on its own with comfortable summer dress”

BOLD NECKLACE

Elizabeth Carr, Sales Manager/Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry

“A green jadeite bead necklace offers an instant colorful bold look to the simple streamlined clothes I wear to work in the warm weather months and I love a chunky bead necklace for a finished look. We have chilly nights in San Francisco and I am usually in a lightweight cashmere sweater and white jeans for dinner and the jadeite without any other jewelry is just perfect for this. But, I have also recently worn the necklace with a floral maxi dress to a summer wedding and with a white summer dress for a party in Napa and it seems to be perfect for every occasion and everything in my summer wardrobe.”

And for me…

SNAKE BRACELET

 

“Summer is the time of year I can bare my arms. I wear lots of sleeveless dresses and simple T-shirts with white jeans. One of my favorite bracelets is my Kathy Rose Snake, which wraps around my wrist with diamond accents and baguette cut Diamond Head. I wear it all summer long. The rest of the year it’s in hiding because it’s very delicate and cannot be seen under layers of sweaters, jackets and/or coats. It stacks well with my Cartier Love bracelet, which I inherited from my mom, and never take off. It also can layer with my antique styles or with modern pieces like these simple diamond bangles, Monica Rich Kosann posy bracelets and my Amali Fine Jewelry handwoven emerald bracelet which is another summer go-to for me.”