Worthy jewelry for this holiday season
Whether your budget runs $75 or $7,500, you’ll find a piece to please the pickiest this holiday season.
The standouts lining shelves include a 12-carat diamond cocktail ring, a necklace with over 900 individual diamonds and a kicky piece of costume jewelry from mass-market retailer J. Crew (nyse: JCG).
Garrard Cocktail Ring
$17,000
This 12-carat diamond cocktail ring from the British jeweler’s signature Wing collection features a white gold band and white diamond base. It is available studded with green, yellow or pink oval beryls.
It’s no wonder, given the market for jewels that run the spectrum. Over 14 million Americans bought jewelry over the post-Thanksgiving weekend last year, according to the National Retail Federation, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association. And with this year’s after-Thanksgiving sales surprisingly strong–ShopperTrak RCT, which tracks sales at more than 50,000 retail outlets, reports that total retail sales on the post-Thanksgiving weekend rose 7.2%, to $16.4 billion from the year-ago period– it’s bound to be another successful season for the industry.
On the high end, look for unique settings and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Top Trinkets
These include Chopard’s Columbian emerald necklace. It’s part of the Swiss jeweler’s Haute Joaillerie collection and available exclusively at its newly opened Madison Avenue boutique in New York City.
Chopard Emerald Necklace
$1,188,510
This emerald necklace, the centerpiece of Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie collection, is one of a kind and found exclusively at the jeweler’s just-opened Madison Avenue retail shop in New York City. It features 73 square and 830 round, brilliant-cut white diamonds and 13 cascading pear-drop Colombian emeralds.
The V-shaped, $1.2 million necklace features 73 square and 830 round brilliant-cut white diamonds and 13 cascading, pear-drop emeralds. She says the custom work done at the company’s Geneva factory distinguishes the firm from its competitors.
“I like applying old-fashioned standards to modern jewelry,” says co-president Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele of her pieces’ extensive handwork. A machine isn’t creating these baubles–people are. “We use high-tech tools while making the new pieces, but the craftsmanship stays true to our original vision.”
If you’re eyeing the other end of the scale, consider J.Crew’s whimsical jewelry line. The retailer’s hand-painted brass ring, available in purple, navy and berry, is edged with hand-set polished gemstones and topped with an enameled dome that resembles that of a vintage carousel. And at $75, it’s gentle on the wallet.
J.Crew Hand-Painted Enamel Carousel Ring
$75
Sometimes kicky costume jewelry is more fun than the real stuff. Take this hand-painted ring from J.Crew. Available in purple, navy and berry, this chunky 14-karat-gold-plated brass ring is edged with hand-set polished gemstones and topped with an enameled dome that resembles that of a vintage carousel.
A watch is always a safe bet for the men on your list. A good choice: German watchmaker A. Lange & Sohne’s Saxonia. Available in 18-karat white, yellow and rose gold, even its hour, minute and subsidiary second hands have been perfectly sized to appear proportionate to the face’s Roman numerals for a pristine look.
A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Men’s Watch
$15,100
German watchmakers A. Lange & Sohne’s Saxonia timepiece is available in 18-karat yellow, white or pink gold. Each watch comes with a crocodile strap and a gold buckle engraved with its serial number. The 18-karat gold case has been polished by hand. Even its hour, minute and subsidiary second hands have been perfectly sized to appear proportionate to the face’s Roman numerals.
If he’s a little more adventurous, Mann Tahiti’s sterling silver bamboo tie clip will get his nod. With a nine-millimeter black Tahitian pearl at its tip, the two-and-a-half-inch-long bamboo-shaped bar works well with almost any tie.
Bamboo Sterling Silver Tie Clip
$330
Tie clips offer little variance, but this bamboo-shaped bar proves they can be unique. With a nine-millimeter black Tahitian pearl at its tip, the two-and-a-half-inch-long bar works well with solid colored ties in hues such as navy, royal purple and taupe.
For the ultimate feel-good gift, select something from philanthropist Joan Hornig’s jewelry collection. The proceeds from every piece you buy are donated to a charity of your choice. And that’s not just during the holidays. That means when you pick up those 18-karat-gold onyx-drop earrings– each studded with nine tiny black diamonds for a discreetly dramatic look–you can buy them in the name of your gal’s favorite cause.
Joan Hornig Georgette Earrings
$1,580
Each of these 18-karat gold onyx-drop earrings are studded with nine tiny black diamonds for a discreetly dramatic look. Perfect with a little black dress on New Year’s Eve. What’s more, 100% of the profits from any piece you purchase from philanthropist Hornig’s collection are donated to the charity of your choice.
So whether you’re buying for your neighbor or your new bride, there’s something sparkly out there to please the even most discerning this season.