THE JOURNAL
Summertime is arguably the season to experiment with your style. Jazzy shirts, get-your-toes-out shoes, bold sunglasses, you name it. But loud colours, statement patterns and unexpected textures needn’t be reserved to just your clothes. This summer, just as much fun is to be found in the world of fine jewellery, where designers are increasingly encouraging you to play with colourful stones, beaded jewellery and future heirlooms charged with spiritual meaning.
“We have seen an explosion of men’s jewellery as the newest form of self-expression,” says Mr Maxim de Turckheim, MR PORTER’s Luxury Watches and Fine Jewellery Senior Buyer. “Looking at the red carpets of Cannes and the Met Gala, you couldn’t fail to notice statement jewellery. There’s also been a proliferation of more discreet, understated pieces, which can be worn day in, day out. No matter what someone’s style is, a piece of fine jewellery is emerging as the final jigsaw piece to complete any look.”
Our latest campaign, Shine Bright – an edit of summer’s most desirable jewellery – celebrates experimentation and the joy of getting dressed. Brought together by a theme of spirituality, Shine Bright is much more than mere finishing touches. It’s a curated selection of modern-day talismans that are designed to form a deep connection with their wearers.
From 42 SUNS’ colourful, large-cut gemstones to Sydney Evan’s evocative pieces and John Hardy’s heavy-metal designs, Shine Bright spotlights a wave of craft-centric designers that are offering up new forms of self-expression, while providing you with the inspiration you need to confidently incorporate jewellery into your summer wardrobe. Here, then, are four key trends that take note of this summer – along with a few ways of trying them out for yourself.
01.
Modern talismans
“There is something nostalgic about summer that takes us back to our childhood,” De Turckheim says. And jewellery is one of the things that can trigger these memories, he notes. “From the hand-knotted friendship bracelets we gave to our friends, to the evil-eye charms we bought from a market stall, nothing reminds us of those summer moments quite like jewellery.”
This sense of jewellery as more than just adornment – of something we connect to on a personal level – is one of the key themes of Shine Bright, reflected in pieces that incorporate everything from scarab beetle charms and all-seeing eyes to stones that have been used throughout history to bring luck or ward off evil. Looking for the names to know? Shamballa Jewels, founded by Danish brothers Messrs Mads and Mikkel Kornerup, places spirituality right at the heart of its jewellery, with each and every piece bearing the “Star of Shamballa”, a hallmark designed after the Buddhist Dorje symbol. Its beaded bracelets are a great go-to. So, too, is Jenny Dee, the Swiss jewellery designer whose Psychedelia pendant necklace can be seen here. Shaped after a guitar pick, it’s a subtle nod to the rock ’n’ roll influences at the heart of the brand.
02.
Heavy metal
While we’d normally advocate the style mantra of “less is more”, when it comes to jewellery, we’re happy to make an exception. “My go-to advice is go with what you are comfortable with,” De Turckheim says. “But don’t be afraid to switch it up, too.” Stacking two or three bracelets or necklaces is an easy way of trying something new – just make sure that you choose complementary pieces.
John Hardy’s chunky metallic bracelets, such as the Rata silver chain bracelet or the silver and sapphire chain bracelet seen here, are naturally compatible and offer almost endless scope for combination. The brand is one of the largest employers on the island of Bali and is committed to preserving its jewellery-making heritage, employing more than 500 multi-generational craftspeople, from watercolour artists to metalsmiths.
03.
Statement stones
“Jewellery is about fun and liberation,” De Turckheim says. “A signet ring, a colourful bracelet, a symbolic medallion are the easiest pieces to incorporate into your vacation style, but some sparkle popping out of your button-down shirt is really what’s going to take your get-up to the next level.”
This is where 42 SUNS’ large-cut gemstones come in. Make a pendant necklace stand out over a white tee, or stack a couple of chains, such as this 14-karat white gold and peridot necklace or the 14-karat gold, citrine and smoky quartz pendant necklace, and adjust them to different lengths.
04.
Grown-up beads
Once a gap-year staple, the humble beaded necklace has grown up, becoming one of the hottest trends in men’s jewellery – and one of the easiest pieces to style for summer. Key to its popularity is just how versatile it is. “Beaded jewellery works as well with a sharp suit as it does with a more dressed-down outfit, like a T-shirt and shorts,” De Turckheim says.
There’s plenty of variety in our edit, from Octavia Elizabeth’s coveted cord bracelets, which feature a single, diamond-encrusted bead, to classic tiger’s eye beads to Ileana Makri and Carolina Bucci’s multi-stone pieces. Don’t miss Viltier, too, the Parisian brand from creative duo Ms Iris de La Villardière and Mr Thomas Montier Leboucher, whose signature Magnetic bracelet can also be seen here. A smaller, more delicate piece than the beaded bracelets, it’s a great option for stacking.