By Kate Bernard
Model Ajahnae Baker wears a Prada dress with Chopard’s diamond and sapphire Casanova earrings and necklace. Photo by Michael Setton; styling by Natalia Campos.
This spring and summer, high jewelry designers have turned to a palette as luminous as the season itself. Sea-bright Paraíba, soft shimmery pearls, joyful tones of pink sapphire and peridot, take center stage in the newest creations from Maisons such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, Jacob & Co., and David Yurman. Ahead we explore each stone’s defining features, their links to summer birthstones, and the most striking ways to wear them right now. Expect one-of-a-kind drop earrings, hand-strung pearls, collarbone necklaces, and intricate cocktail rings, all cast in warm yellow gold, cool platinum, and rose-toned settings.
Pearl
There’s a reason pearls return every summer—they’re organic, lustrous, and effortlessly in sync with the season. Complimented by vibrant stones such as turquoise, emerald, spinel, and diamonds, these accents add depth and individuality to each piece, proving pearls can be anything but traditional. As June’s timeless birthstone, pearls lend a soft, glowing iridescence that transforms a tonal silk blouse or a breezy Chloé dress into a statement of refined elegance. To best care for your pearls, store them in a soft, slightly moist pouch to maintain their signature luster.
Peridot
As the birthstone of August and a symbol of the sun in ancient Egypt, peridot is steeped in both history and high style. Peridot’s citrusy yellow-green spectrum compliments a colorful summer wardrobe, including looks we’re tracking from Chanel, Versace, and Silvia Tcherassi. Set in standout pieces like Harry Winston’s long Kaleidoscope pendant or Pomellato’s sculptural Iconica designs, the stone takes on a modern, sunlit edge. Adding a geological mystique to its radiance, Peridot shares the rare origin story of diamonds which are born in the Earth’s mantle and reach the surface through volcanic activity.
Pink Sapphire
Pink sapphires deliver a saturated punch—exuding bold femininity in ranges from bubblegum brights to dahlia-deep purples. Graff’s 8.41-carat cocktail ring and Tiffany & Co.’s Lock bracelet offer two very different but equally impactful takes. We’re especially drawn to Jacob & Co.’s two-strand drop necklace, designed for an open-back moment à la Sabrina Carpenter’s Chopard look on the Grammy carpet. For a summer statement worth remembering, we’re styling pink sapphire with a flirty Zimmermann print or a playful Ralph Lauren polka dot dress.
Paraíba
Known for its otherworldly vivid blue-green glow, Paraíba was mined exclusively in Paraíba, Brazil, where deposits have been completely exhausted, rendering the stones exceptionally rare and fiercely coveted. Stones of a substantial carat weight are incredibly uncommon, elevating the Jacob & Co. cocktail ring and David Yurman drop earrings to cult status among collectors and designers alike. Whether basking in the sun or headed to an oceanside dinner, pairing the stone with a Bottega Veneta one-shoulder swimsuit or Valentino maxi dress makes for the ultimate day-to-night ensemble.
