Blog

Nov 15, 2023

Jewelry experts share their shopping secrets for 2023

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission. The head of jewels

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

The head of jewels for Phillips North America boasts an encyclopedic knowledge and has scored significant pieces for the storied auction house.

Instagram followers: 45,600

Signature style: One big, bad, bold jewel: a fitted Verdura Maltese Cross cuff, a Bulgari Monete choker or a statement cocktail ring. Never worn all together — unless you are [late Mexican movie star] María Félix.

First piece of jewelry: I had my ears pierced with small diamond studs on my first birthday.

First jewelry splurge: My mother has always loved pearls. A few months into my first job in the estate jewelry business, I bought her a pair of South Sea pearl earrings for Christmas.

Iconic red-carpet moment: In 2016, Uma Thurman wore a Cartier bird brooch set with 90 carats of diamonds on her shoulder at the Met Gala [above]. A jewel of such scale is not easy to pull off, but Uma was elegant, regal … unforgettable!

Dream jewel: The famed "Indore Pears" as originally set in a Chaumet necklace for [Maharaja] Yashwant Rao Holkar II in 1913. Two pear-shape diamonds weighing nearly 47 carats each were the terminals of a stunning, delicate diamond négligée necklace.

Secret tip: Turn jewelry over. If it's not as beautiful on the reverse, don't buy it.

The philanthropist and entrepreneur curates fun fashion pop-ups in buzzy locales

Instagram followers: 52,500

Signature style: I love to make one big statement — not all the jewelry at the same time!

First piece of jewelry: A Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Bean necklace for my bat mitzvah.

First jewelry splurge: Vintage Marina B bracelets.

Iconic red-carpet moment: Keira Knightley wearing a ’60s vintage Bulgari necklace [right] at the 2006 Oscars.

Dream jewel: [Late French socialite and fashion icon] Daisy Fellowes’ Van Cleef & Arpels emerald and diamond manchette [featuring a pair of cuff bracelets that can be converted into a choker] — it's a twofer!

Secret tip: Rings [like the one above] look best on pinkies and ring fingers.

The in-demand stylist works with boldface-name photographers on shoots for the likes of David Yurman, Tom Ford

Instagram followers: 14,000

Signature style: White gold with diamonds.

First piece of jewelry: A St. Patrick's medal given to me by my mom when I was a kid.

First jewelry splurge: It was in 2012 when Cartier relaunched the Juste un Clou bracelet. I once worked with Linda Evangelista, who was wearing the bracelet, and I thought it was such a perfect balance between chic and cool. I got mine in white gold — Linda's was white gold, too, but hers was covered in diamonds!

Iconic red-carpet moment: Lupita Nyong’o's ensemble at the 2015 Oscars [above] will always stand out to me. She wore the most stunning Chopard diamond drop earrings that perfectly complemented her custom Calvin Klein pearl-covered dress. It was like she was covered in an entire piece of jewelry!

Dream jewel: Do watches count? I would love a Rolex Day-Date in yellow gold with baguette diamonds. It is a statement of elegance and sophistication.

Secret tip: Buying jewelry is a great investment that you can enjoy until you are ready to sell it and upgrade.