16 of the Best Jewelry Gifts to Brighten the Holidays This Year
From modern takes on the classics by Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, and Louis Vuitton to artful, one-of-a-kind pieces by Silvia Furmanovich and Ana Khouri
The holidays are a season for opulence, sparkle, glitter, and gold. And while there may not be the usual parties this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate in style. A beautiful, well-crafted piece of jewelry is often just the thing to make the season special, whether its given as a gift or worn as a treat for ourselves.
From modern interpretations of the classics like an edgy pearl necklace designed by Mikimoto with Commes des Garçons or Louis Vuitton’s new LV Volt gold chain to handmade one-of-a-kind pieces by Silvia Furmanovich or Ana Khouri, even a playful take on diamonds by Harry Winston, these design-forward gems are sure to be cherished long after the final New Year’s Eve champagne toast.
1. Van Cleef & Arpels
Who says florals are only for Spring? These Rose de Noël mini earrings, featuring lapis lazuli and diamonds set in 18k yellow gold, are inspired by the rare beauty of Christmas roses, which only bloom in midwinter.
2. Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton’s director of jewelry, Francesca Amfitheatrof, has come up with an electric interpretation of the the classic chain. Crafted in yellow gold, the slinky LV Curb Chain necklace features a series of intertwined letters that form an abstract shape.
3. Bea Bongiasca
The up-and-coming Italian jewelry designer Bea Bongiasca was inspired by climbing plants for her playful Double Vine Tendril ring. Available in a number of colorways, including this soft pink enamel style bookended by vibrant pink corundum stones, it delicately wraps around the finger.
4. Harry Winston
While Harry Winston may be best known for its serious diamonds, the Winston Kaleidoscope collection reveals the storied New York jewelry house’s fun, whimsical side. With a mix of colored gemstones like aquamarine, blue sapphire, rubellite, and diamond set in platinum, this pendant looks glamorous draped forward around the neck or down the back of a strapless gown for a chic evening look.
5. Cartier
An influential figure in 20th-century Paris, Cartier’s then director of jewelry, Jeanne Toussaint, was nicknamed “La Panthère” thanks to her independent streak and love of felines. The brand’s panther homage has remained an eternal design icon and the new La Panthère de Cartier bracelet in 18k yellow gold, sprinkled with emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, channels the same wild spirit.
6. Fernando Jorge
Trailblazing Brazilian designer Fernando Jorge’s creations are crafted to exude a look of fluidity and movement, and this Flare ring with diamonds, paraiba tourmalines, and emeralds exemplifies the artist’s aesthetic perfectly.
7. David Webb
Archival designs from the 1960s were the starting point for David Webb’s new double-sided zodiac pendants that feature a carved, illustrated image of the astrological sign on the front and the corresponding symbol in either plain gold or with diamonds on the back.
8. Silvia Furmanovich
Trailblazing Brazilian designer Silvia Furmanovich is best known for her signature handcrafted marquetry pieces, which strike a perfect balance between contemporary innovation and artisanal tradition. These stunning one-of-a-kind Egyptian Lotus Fan earrings, available at Bergdorf Goodman, are set in 18k yellow gold with diamonds and pink and green tourmaline.
9. Tiffany & Co.
The Tiffany & Co. Bone cuff is jewelry designer Elsa Peretti’s most famous creation. Sculptural, sinuous, and chunky, the iconic piece worn by stylesetters like Liza Minnelli, Sophia Loren, Diana Ross, and Margot Robbie, celebrated its 50th anniversary this past year.
10. Ana Khouri
A former sculptor, buzzworthy talent Ana Khouri crafts a dazzling rainbow by connecting a rare blue paraiba tourmaline to a diamond ear cuff with a multi-colored sapphire chain.
11. Buccellati
There is no mistaking a gold cuff by Buccellati, the legendary Milanese jewelry house known for its intricate goldsmithing techniques. This version in yellow gold features a stunning lacework made with diamonds set in white gold.
12. Jessica McCormack
London-based queen of diamonds Jessica McCormack and the enfants terribles of the design world, the Haas Brothers, have launched a bold new collection of jewelry. The first time McCormack has worked with an artist and the first foray into jewelry for the multidisciplinary brothers, the collection includes this handcrafted diamond Splash ring that is set with an approximately 5.2-carat old-mine-cut diamond.
13. Mikimoto
Iconic Japanese brands Comme des Garçons and Mikimoto have come together for the first time to create a collection of gender-neutral jewelry that shakes off any old-fashioned perceptions of pearls. This double-row necklace with rare white South Sea cultured pearls is as avant-garde as it is precious.
14. Vram
Inspired by the likes of Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore, and midcentury-modern Californian design, the Los Angeles–based Vram Minassian has been causing a stir with his wildly expressive sculptural pieces, like these Oak Supernova clip earrings with amethyst and diamonds.
15. Elizabeth Locke
The Virginia-based designer is known for breathing new life to extraordinary and rare antiques by incorporating them into bold jewelry creations with a modern sensibility. This 19kt gold charm bracelet features a carefully selected mix of prized Venetian glass intaglios in cerulean, green, and mulberry, white and black South Sea pearls, and ancient silver and bronze coins.
16. Nam Cho
New York jewelry designer Nam Cho creates fresh, modern jewels with a bold use of colored gemstones learnt while studying at Parsons School of Design. These 18k yellow gold, emerald and diamond asscher drop earrings feature three detachable emeralds making them perfect for any occasion.