Celebrating 3 Groundbreaking Women of Jewelry

March is Women’s History Month. To celebrate, here are 3 groundbreaking women of jewelry who have made a lasting mark on what we love and what we wear—from classic simplicity, to elegance, to glitz and glam.

Elsa Peretti

This architect-turned-model-turned-jewelry designer was commissioned by Halston to create accessories for him. By 1971, Tiffany’s came knocking—and a relationship was born that has lasted over 40 years. Tiffany’s writes “her organic, sensual forms revolutionized jewelry design and seduced the world.” Her unique styles also gave sterling silver its rightful place in fine jewelry.

Most famous for:

– Diamonds by the Yard^®
– Open heart and bean jewelry
– Bone cuff

Paloma Picasso

The youngest daughter of artist Pablo Picasso, Paloma started out as a fashion designer until Yves St Laurent hired her to create jewelry to accompany his 1969 collection. Tiffany’s was so struck by her designs that they laid a table with colorful gemstones and told her to take whichever ones she wanted to create her unique style of jewelry.

Most famous for:

– Signature Xs and Os
– Scribbles in gold and sterling silver

Lorraine Schwartz

Schwartz rings

She really is the jeweler to the stars, and has been named, the Queen of Bling. What stars? How about Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Barbra Streisand, to start with. Her style runs more to ornate designs with heavy bling. One newspaper wrote, if diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then Lorraine Schwartz is a celebrity’s BFF.

Most famous for:

– Beyonce’s ring in “All the Single Ladies”
– Kim Kardashian’s 15-carat ring
– The red carpet, darling

Let’s hear it for the ladies of jewelry—and if you have jewelry by any of these ladies (or any other designer) be sure to get it appraised, so you can protect your valuables. Contact me and we’ll set up an appointment.

Brilliantly yours, Aimee