Many of life’s biggest celebrations—engagements, weddings, coronations—are marked with a jewel. And bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings frequently make appearances at other party times of life, too—graduations, birthdays, job promotions, retirements, the list goes on. Then there are those moments when someone decides to toast to themselves—because, well, why not? Why is jewelry such a great way to celebrate? Its beauty is, of course, a natural way to commemorate special moments, but the undeniable fact of its endurance (see perfectly intact gold and rock crystal bracelets circa 330 B.C in the Greek and Roman Galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for evidence) makes jewelry a fitting tribute to moments we want to remember forever. And the iconic pieces of legendary jewelry houses succeed extraordinarily well in that mission. Here, a list of jewels, and jewelry designers, we know are always primed for a celebration—and always welcome at one too.
FARAONE MENNELLA
Best for Big Moments
After the tragic death of Roberto Faraone Mennella in 2020, Amedeo Scognamiglio, his partner in life and business, has forged ahead while staying true to their shared legacy. At Faraone Mennella, the links between past and future are clear, from the iconic Stella earrings that made the duo famous in the early aughts (thanks to its appearance in Sex and the City) to daring new designs like this show-stopping ring crafted with cabochon Rubellite, peridot, pink tourmaline.
OSCAR HEYMAN
Best for Collectors
In the market for something magnificent and absolutely one-of-a-kind? The answer is always Oscar Heyman. Established by brothers Oscar (who was the first non-French jeweler to be employed by Pierre Cartier), Nathan, and Harry Heyman in 1912, the New York institution initially made its name as the manufacturer to legends such as Tiffany, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels before evolving into a stand-alone brand sought after for its exquisite modern heirlooms.
JAEGER LECOULTRE
Best Jewelry Watch
Precision and innovation have been the hallmarks of Jaeger-LeCoultre since it was founded in 1833. Take the Reverso, for instance, a classic that belongs in every watch collection. Want to level up? The Calibre 101 is a superb example of the watchmaker's boundary-pushing spirit: pioneered in 1929, it remains, to this day, the world’s smallest mechanical calibre, allowing for masterpieces like this.
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POMELLATO
Best for Everyday
This Italian house was founded on the idea that jewelry should not be kept in a vault, but rather worn daily in celebration of craftsmanship, beauty, and style. That tradition is clear in their iconic Nudo rings, a semi-precious stone—or, in this case, a cluster of diamonds—set on a simple band of gold. They are meant to be worn stacked but you can always begin with a gift of one and a promise for the future.
MASTOLONI PEARLS
Best Modern Pearls
The Mastoloni family has been in the business of cultured pearls since the 1920s, when patriarch Frank Mastoloni Sr. founded the company with his brothers. In other words, these are your guys for the finest examples of these gems.
ROBERTO COIN
Best Gold
Roberto Coin, who founded his eponymous company in 1996, was born in Vicenza, the Italian city known literally as the capital of gold (it has been a center of jewelry-making since 600 BC). It's no wonder then that he is such a master of the metal, spinning it into classics, like the perfect gold hoops and chain necklaces, and personal gifts (as seen here) alike.
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MESSIKA
Best French Chic
You want to give a major diamond with a cool downtown vibe? The legacy of this French house is historic—a diamond dealer dynasty is behind it—but it’s led by Valerie Messika, who grew up around important stones but has infused her own chic French girl sensibility. Her pieces make ideal celebratory gifts, but are equally powerful when celebrating oneself. The variety of pieces from personal pendants to important diamond showpieces is also helpful when shopping for a gift.
ELIZABETH GAGE
Best Use of Color
Handcrafted in the UK by expert goldsmiths, Elizabeth Gage's pieces are known for their gems and imaginative use of color. The designer, who in 2017 was appointed a Member Of The Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth, approaches her work like an artist, using gold, precious stones, and vibrant enamel as her palette.
DAVID YURMAN
Best Bangle
The Yurman cable bracelet is an icon of contemporary jewelry design and now, more than two decades after it was first created, it is offered in a wide range of materials, from stone-studded gold, to silver, to brightly colored titanium. That would be the first place to start when buying someone a gift from Yurman, but the real secret here are the stones of exceptional quality and unusual cuts. David and his son Evan are mainstays at the annual jewelry show in Tucson Arizona and their relationships with the global network of stone dealers runs deep.
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FOUNDRAE
Best Personalized Gift
Founded on the premise that jewelry should be meaningful and symbolic, Foundrae has developed a cult following of A-listers—Gwyneth Paltrow is the de facto queen bee of the fan club—who are drawn to its signature chunky chain necklaces and candy store array of interchangeable charms. From initial hearts to medallions bearing designs for resilience, karma, protection, and so much more, this is the brand you turn to for creating a one-of-a-kind talisman.
CHOPARD
Best for the Kid at Heart
This is a brand that created the idea of Happy Diamonds—stones floating happily, dreamily even, under glass—which makes it an ideal place to go shopping for happy times. Chopard's dominance on the red carpet might make it seem intimidating, but there has been a real effort in recent years to add more accessible bangles and earrings to its offerings. And one can always work up to that 100-carat yellow diamond Julia Roberts wore to Cannes this year...p
DAVID WEBB
Best Statement-Making Jewelry
Webb is known for boldly oversized co*cktail rings, animal cuffs, and pendant necklaces, as well as for his fearless use of stones like malachite, coral, lapis, and rock crystal. He was a student of ancient jewels and his research is evident in the wide collars and torques he first created in the early 1970s. A little secret: before Aldo Cipullo went to work for Cartier—where he designed the Love bracelet and the Juste En Clou—he was employed in the workroom at Webb.
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VHERNIER
Best Wearable Sculpture
Made in the tradition of Italian goldsmiths, Vhernier pieces are bold, sophisticated, and unmistakably unique. Inspiration for these jewels often comes from the art world, whether it's the sculptures of Brancusi and Anish Kapoor, the architecture of Zaha Hadid, or the canvases of Lucio Fontana.
LISA EISNER
Best Western
Arizona turquoise, Wyoming black jade, Oregon sunstone, Yukon gold. Lisa Eisner is a perennial treasure hunter, scouring gem shows for unique specimens and stones to incorporate into her handmade jewels. While each bold creation is one-of-a-kind, the spirit of the American West is ever-present in her work. So if you have a friend who is obsessed with Yellowstone...
CHANEL FINE JEWELRY
Best for Fashion Cred
You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who would pass up on a Chanel piece. From the Coco Crush collection that mimics the maison's iconic quilted pattern in yellow gold, to the celestial High Jewelry collection that pays homage to the diamond jewels Coco Chanel introduced to the world in 1932, there is something for simply every occasion—and they will not disappoint.
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BELPERRON
Best for the Jewelry Snob
"My style is my signature," Suzanne Belperron famously said of her refusal to sign her pieces. The singular force of 20th century jewelry design was known for her bold approach, daring to mix precious stones with wood and rock crystal and challenging stubborn Paris workshops to sculpt curves into temperamental smoky quartz. In 2015, the Belperron name was reborn thanks to the efforts of Ward and Nico Landrigan, who acquired her name and the worldwide rights to her archive in 1999 with the goal of relaunching her work the way they had earlier with another legend: Fulco di Verdura.
DIOR
Best Whimsical Jewels
Since joining Dior in 1998, Victoire de Castellane has created some of the most fantastical, imaginative, and feverishly sought after jewels for the maison, from the dainty perfect-for-everyday Rose des Vents collection to her latest high jewelry suite, Dior Print, which was inspired by haute couture. In all her whimsical gems, the spirit of Christian Dior endures. "I find it quite respectful to not forget the person who founded the house we work for," de Castellane once said.
TIFFANY & CO
Classic
There are few jewelry houses more iconic than Tiffany & Co., which has set the standard for 185 years and counting. From the fact that Charles Lewis Tiffany introduced the first major gemstones to the U.S., to the signature Tiffany setting engagement ring, which was developed in 1886, and that iconic blue box, there are infinite things that make Tiffany's stand in a class of there own. And of course, who could forget the iconic designers that have created legendary designs for the house (think: Elsa Peretti, Jean Schlumberger, Paloma Picasso)? For exceptionally crafted pieces that collectors and novices alike cherish, there's no place quite like Tiffany & Co.
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BUCCELLATI
Intricately Detailed
Simply put, Maison Buccellati is synonymous with crafstmanship and has been for over a century, thanks to a reverence for goldsmithing traditions that have been passed down over a thousand years. The house's style has evolved along with the generational stewardship with the family, but started with intricate weaving and engraving of gold, which evokes a timeless elegance through textural details.
VERDURA
Iconic
Jewelry lovers will tell you, the origin story for Verdura is one for the books. Duke Fulco di Verdura got his start designing the now iconic Maltese Cross cuffs for his friend Coco Chanel and then ventured out to be the go-to jeweler for stars in America, designing pieces for none of than Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. During WWII, Verdura garnered quite the New York high society following for his bold gemstone laden designs. In a phrase, Verdura jewels may have been considered era defining, but they remain beautiful as ever to this day.
