Olympic talismans, a jewellery insider’s guide to Edinburgh, Summer reading, and beachy jewellery
The Honesty Box on Jewels, July 2024: straightforward jewellery insight.
Whether yours is a summer of sport or a summer of culture, we hope you’re enjoying it so far. With Paris 2024 now out of the starting blocks, jewellery inspired by the Olympics is everywhere; we’ve chosen a more thoughtful tribute than most, by investment gold specialist Menē. Culture vultures will love our guide to where to stay, eat, drink and shop in Edinburgh during the Fringe, by jewellery insider Keira Wraae Stewart, and we’ve rounded up some of the best new jewellery book releases for your summer reading, including a deep dive into bewitching Paraiba tourmaline, a history of jewellery boxes, a collection of African gemstone adventure stories and more. Finally, our monthly curation is a set of beachside jewels inspired by the ocean depths from some of our favourite designers. Have a great month!
The Beach Jewellery Edit
Ensemble Ocean Royal ring by Sophie Bille Brahe
Queen of gemstone minimalism, Sophie Bille Brahe captures the ocean swell in graduated white diamonds that splash over the finger like sea spray. With barely visible settings, this ring is all about the ethically sourced stones, set in recycled gold, evoking rolling waves before they crash onto the shore.
Rebel beads + Stereo tag by Robinson Pelham
Staying true to the brand’s rainbow-hued DNA, Robinson Pelham’s new in collection of hard stone beads is super covetable. Inspired by 80s cassette players, the Stereo collection features bold beads and matching tags in deep blue lapis, morganite, rose quartz and malachite, set with gemstone pause, play, rewind and fast forward symbols.
Jellyfish earrings by Bibi van der Velden
Inspired by the jellyfish she sees on the beach during her surf sessions, Bibi’s latest addition to the Wave collection renders the tentacled, globular sea creatures beautiful. In pearls, diamonds, and gold fringing, she conveys all of the magic and mystery of the ocean depths.
Sunburst coin pendant by Azlee
Coins and medallions are a summer staple, but few designers do them quite as well as LA-based Azlee. Drawing on the Ancient world, designer Baylee Ann Zwart reinterprets a Roman symbol of power and positivity in sunny yellow gold and winking diamonds.
Every summer, Carolina Bucci and her children would make bead bracelets on the beach at Forte dei Marmi, Italy, creating stacks that crept up their arms. For her own brand, she recreated the same concept using gemstone beads on silk thread, channelling that original sense of summer play.
ætla’s Keira Wraae Stewart’s perfect day in Edinburgh
With the Edinburgh Festival and the Fringe just about to start, we asked our friend Keira Wraae Stewart, the founder of independent jewellery boutique ætla, to open her address book. Keira has been immersed in the jewellery world for over 15 years and her boutique, nestled in the city’s charming Stockbridge area, showcases a curation of unique pieces that reflect her keen eye for design and craftsmanship. Reflecting her deep roots in both the Faroe Islands and Scotland, Keira's boutique offers a blend of distinctive styles and influences.
“Breakfast: Start the day at The Pantry in Stockbridge, a local favourite known for its delicious and hearty breakfast options, including fresh pastries and indulgent brunch dishes.
Shopping: Explore Stockbridge, which boasts many independent boutiques. Discover locally made perfumes at Jorum Studio, stylish clothing at Dicks and Treen, and enjoy browsing various vintage stores and bookshops, including the charming Rare Birds Book Shop.
Lunch: Enjoy a lunch tasting menu at Fhior, a Michelin Guide restaurant that offers an exquisite culinary experience with dishes that showcase local and foraged produce. The lunch tasting menu is a perfect way to experience the creativity of Fhior without the commitment of a full dinner.
Show: Visit the Ingleby Gallery for a dose of inspiring contemporary art. The gallery hosts a range of exhibitions featuring both emerging and established artists.
Dinner: Indulge in small sharing plates at Noto, a trendy restaurant known for its relaxed atmosphere and inventive dishes, perfect for a memorable evening meal.
Nightcap: Head to Bon Vivant, a charming and cosy spot near Noto, for a glass of champagne or a cocktail. Its intimate setting makes it ideal for unwinding after a day of exploration.
Hotel: End the day with a stay at the luxurious Gleneagles Townhouse, where you can enjoy elegant accommodations and top-notch service, all within walking distance of your day's adventures.”
Piece of the Month: The Zeus pendant by Menē
Menē is chanelling Olympic spirit with a new collection of 24kt gold and platinum investment jewellery and trinkets, designed to honour Gods and heroes. Ringed with a blazing sun, the Zeus medallion above, is a striking summer piece with all the heat and light of pure gold.
Using responsibly sourced gold mined in Nevada, USA and Ontario, Canada, all Menē jewels are handmade in the US and sold on weight; you can watch prices on the site fluctuate in real-time with the market price of gold.
Founders Diana Picasso and Sunjoo Moon started Menē as a way of re-establishing the link between gold jewellery and wealth. Pieces from cool chunky chains and slim bands of gold, to gold and platinum buttons and even chess pieces, are intended to be sold on and recycled to release value as needed, in the ultimate symbol of (transferable) wealth.
Summer Jewellery Reads
Whether you’ll be lying on the beach or lounging in the garden, these new jewellery books by some of our favourite writers are on our reading list this month. Grab a cool drink, put your feet up and enjoy your Summer downtime.
Packed with fabulous stories and fascinating facts (some of which she shared in last month’s newsletter), V&A curator Helen Molesworth’s new book Precious charts the history of gems and their use in adornment, and explains their cultural and historical significance, all in glittering style.
The Paraiba tourmaline is one of Nature’s rarest gems, a bewitching lagoon blue found only in the Brazilian state of the same name. Katerina Perez and Kevin ferreira take us inside the mining process for this unusual gem and explore how the spectacular gem has inspired the world’s jewellery dsigners.
For excitement and intrigue, ditch the airport paperback and reach for journalist and gem expert Richa Goyal Sikri’s new book about the African gem industry. Through a series of 24 engaging short stories based on meticulous research and personal experience, she walks us through 60 years of gemstones history, from mine to market.
If you love a jewellery box as much as we do, you’ll be dying to lift the lid on Rachael Taylor’s latest book. Co-written with Simon Wolf, it charts the 190-year history of the family company behind the highly covetable jewellery and watch boxes.