Ms Octavia Zamagias first got into goldsmithing after taking a wedding-band workshop in Los Angeles. That fortuitous move led her to attend the London School of Jewellery and then on to training as a bench jeweller in Nashville before establishing her LA-based brand Octavia Elizabeth. Her uncompromising commitment to high-quality craftsmanship translates to local production, SCS-certified recycled gold and United Nations fair trade-approved stones: “The element of growing sustainably, of being handmade and being in Los Angeles was absolutely integral to me,” says Zamagias. “At first, I envisioned I’d be the one who would hand-craft every piece. But now I love having a relationship with our bench jewellers. The trade is slowly dying, so keeping it local and preserving the skills is a priority.” Zamagias also collaborates with Myne London, a female-run lapidary in Swat Valley, Pakistan that champions female empowerment and education in the region.

When designing, Zamagias takes care to ensure her pieces are suitable for daily wear. “To me, the wrist is where jewellery should happen. I’m all for stacking: a timepiece with a tennis bracelet and the Parachute bracelet right beside it,” she says. “If you’re new to jewellery, start with something you love, that you’re comfortable wearing on a daily basis, and commit to wearing it 24/7.” The brand’s chains, too, are made to be layered: “Start with a piece right below your neck, and go down from there,” she suggests. “Play with chain widths and look for different lengths between the layers – I’d say two to three inches apart.”

Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Mexico City-based designer Mr Aaron Changpo established Varon to celebrate the traditional meaning of body adornment. Changpo believes the energy of precious metals and stones allow the wearer to relive the moments they’re designed to evoke. “I’m inspired by the materials I use to create our pieces, because they all carry a powerful story about how they were formed on earth and in space,” he says. “I’m also drawn to the symbology of ancient cultures like the Aztecs and Mayans, and how they relate to other cultures, like the Egyptians or Etruscans.”

The latest collection, now available at MR PORTER, is a testament to the importance of traditions – the blue lapis lazuli stones were preserved by Changpo’s grandfather for 30 years before being passed down to be used for his designs. “Wear these pieces with a laid-back layer, like a tank top or a basic tee,” suggests Changpo. “They’ll elevate any outfit, whether you’re at home or on a night out.”

“My love for jewellery comes from my mother, who’s been collecting vintage pieces her whole life,” says Ms Marie Lichtenberg, founder of the eponymous Parisian brand. “She’s taught me aspects of design and the love for craftsmanship.” The tradition of passing down heirloom-worthy pieces for generations – rooted in her mother’s Martiniquan Creole culture – inspired Lichtenberg’s vision for the brand. “My first priority is to keep and protect the nuances that define our DNA,” she says, “Staying irreverently joyful in the most beautiful and luxurious way; working with specialist workshops around the world; combining the savoir-faire of such amazing artisans.”

The brand uses traditional hand-enamelling, diamond-cutting and stone-setting techniques to create its pieces, which are imbued with meaning and symbolism. “Our collection is all about mixing and matching,” says Lichtenberg. “My favourite match would be the Ica rasta thread and a colourful enamelled scapular, or a baby diamond locket.”