How to wear holiday jewellery this summer – have fun in the sun with Jacquie Aiche’s lapis lazuli anklets, squiggly diamond pieces from Bea Bongiasca or ‘gumdrop’ accessories at Irene Neuwirth

Jun 30 , 2023

Jacquie Aiche is a fine jewellery brand handmade with love in Los Angeles. Photo: Handout

There’s something impossibly alluring about holiday jewellery. Similar to wafty and luxurious resortwear, it’s the promise of freedom from the everyday, the chance to be someone else.

Pave Dia emerald baguette centre chrysoprase cylinder beaded necklace. Photo: Jacquie Aiche

There is in holiday jewellery – be it a shell necklace, an enormous enamel flower or the glint of a gold anklet on sandy legs – the irresistible idea that maybe you could be this best self in your real life, too.

A statement necklace from Bea Bongiasca. Photo: Bea Bongiasca

Of course, holiday jewellery can mean something different to everyone. So too the very idea of holidays: one person’s climbing Everest is another’s jam-packed city break is another’s lie by the pool all day.

But when I think about true holiday jewellery, it’s the evil eye woven friendship bracelets I was drawn to in Hydra, Greece, last month, and the gold signet ring worn by Jude Law in the ultimate summer holiday inspiration film, The Talented Mr Ripley. It’s the shark tooth necklaces in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the chunky gold jewellery “evil” stepmother Meredith Blake wears poolside in The Parent Trap (best paired with monochrome swimwear and an immaculate bob).

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Bea Bongiasca is a colourful pop jewellery brand. Photo: Bea Bongiasca

Summer holidays are a vibe that plenty of jewellers have tapped into lately too, from Australian brand Sarah & Sebastian just releasing a fine gold version of a shark tooth necklace, to London-based jeweller Jessica McCormack releasing a collection titled Beaches. The latter’s pieces use freshwater pearls and diamond-studded scallop pendants and are inspired by worry-free days by the sea.

Holiday jewellery is known for its fun, colourful appeal. Photo: Bea Bongiasca

Brands that immediately come to mind for pieces you want to wear on holiday include Bea Bongiasca, known for her candy-coloured squiggly enamel and diamond pieces; Alison Lou’s charming cocktail studs; Irene Neuwirth’s bright and delightful “gumdrop” pieces; and Carolina Bucci’s strands of beads and textured golden bangles.

Squiggly, colourful earrings from Bea Bongiasca. Photo: Bea Bongiasca

For jeweller Bea Bongiasca, warmer weather means she’s happier to experiment and be playful with her jewellery – and she doesn’t tend to pack her most precious pieces.

Bea Bongiasca plans her accessories depending on the location of her holiday. Photo: Bea Bongiasca

“For me, my accessories depend on where I am going on holiday, but if it’s somewhere warm I like to bring a good mix of fun colours and gold to match together. I tend to leave my most precious pieces behind so that I don’t risk losing them while out and about. I am always going in the sea and applying sunscreen – and after all, ocean waves are not the safest place for jewels!” she says.

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Marie Lichtenberg Mauli Beads Ghana Blue Necklace in glass pearls and diamond gold pearls

For LA-based jeweller Jacquie Aiche, who creates dream holiday-ready pieces such as lapis lazuli and diamond anklets and gold coin earrings, holiday jewellery should be about getting in touch with your more carefree self.

“I’ve always found my summer holiday jewellery to be a little more wild and free … I adorn myself in layers of body jewellery and love to add in the healing energy of vibrant gemstones like turquoise and opal,” she says.

Playful Alison Lou rings. Photo: Handout

New Yorker Alison Chemla, founder of the Alison Lou jewellery label, says holiday jewellery should be easy, not too precious and fun. For Chemla, earrings are the perfect holiday piece.

“For me, holiday jewellery is all about easy, layering pieces that are not at risk of getting damaged when worn swimming, or from sunscreen on the beach. I want to throw things on and not have to worry!” she says.

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Fashion

From Jude Law’s signet ring in The Talented Mr Ripley to shark tooth necklaces in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and chunky jewellery in The Parent Trap, holiday bling has had some iconic moments in films
Also popular off-screen, jewellers like Sarah & Sebastian, Jessica McCormack, Alison Lou and Carolina Bucci are having fun with the seasonal trend – Style chats to the designers