Something about summer always makes me feel like a kid again. It might be the unspoken understanding that we all get to work a little bit less between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
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With schools out, out-of-office replies turned on, and the general lightness that fills the warm air, summer elicits a playful energy that manifests not only in the way we carry ourselves but in the way we choose to dress and accessorize all season long.
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Below, you’ll meet six jewelry designers whose collections take that carefree spirit and colorful whimsy and turn it into pieces that let you keep a little slice of summer at hand, no matter where you’re headed.
Venessa Arizaga
Venessa Arizaga is best known for her bespoke jewelry and handmade friendship bracelets. You’ll find quirky phrases, island vibes, and jetsetting dreams in her playful collection, making perfect accessories for a tropical escape.
To buy: Nani Bracelet ($55); Beer O’ Clock Bracelet ($55); Beach Day Bracelet ($55)
Mercedes Salazar
Mercedes Salazar’s Colombian roots are prevalent in her collection of tropical, handmade jewelry. Most known for her big, graphic earrings, this season she incorporated plastic and fabricated fruits to give you an edgy island vibe fit for any tropical landscape you visit.
To buy: Fiesta Orange Tree Earrings ($225); Carmen Miranda Leaf Earrings ($200)
Aurelie Bidermann
Aurelie Bidermann’s joyful approach to jewelry design is apparent in her Takayama Shell Bracelets. She feels style should be uninhibited and light and that’s precisely what you get with these braided bracelets.
To buy: Takayama Shell Bracelet ($105)
Roxanne Assoulin
Though uncomplicated in design, Roxanne Assoulin’s line of tiled jewelry is rich in frivolity. You’ll find a mix of chokers, bracelets, and earrings in vibrant spectrums of color and metallics, and newer styles incorporating tassels and seashells match your summer state of mind.
To buy: Extrovert Spectrum Bracelets ($75); Extrovert U-tube Necklace ($120)
Spinelli Kilcollin
If you’re looking for a more upscale way to invest in this trend, Spinelli Kilcollin is your best bet. Using the highest quality in ethically sourced stones hand-crafted by artisans in Los Angeles, Kilcollin’s new galaxy aurora rings are a fun play on his otherwise classic diamond styles. Mixing in a pop of red rubies, tanzanite, pink, navy, orange, and purple sapphires is a luxe way to transition your high-end jewelry game from day-to-night during your summer travels.
To buy: Aurora MX Three-band Ring ($4,000); Aries Five-band Ring ($9,600)
Carolina Bucci
The Lucky Bracelet is Carolina Bucci’s more affordable option in her line of fine jewelry. Reminiscent of the classic friendship bracelets of her childhood, these 18k gold–plated chains braided with metallic silks contain a deeper meaning. At the end of each chain, there is an engraved heart medal symbolizing Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), where all proceeds raised by this bracelet are donated to help provide world class care for ill children and their families. The purpose of these vibrant hues, Bucci says, is to “bring happiness to all who wear them.”
To buy: Lucky Bracelet With GOSH Charm, $229
