Nuevo Culture

These Vintage-Inspired Jewelry Pieces Are Heirlooms in the Making

Dilemma! Antique jewelry is wonderful, but with this dream comes responsibilities—caring for old things can be daunting. Why not set your sights on vintage-inspired jewelry instead? Vintage-esque jewelry, freshly hatched and brand new, is meant to be thrown on and enjoyed—no loose stones to worry about, no fear that washing your hands will ruin a decoration applied 100 years ago, no wondering if what you bought is really what the dealer—he or she seemed so nice, but still…—swore it was.

Don’t think of these vintage-inspired pieces as mere replicas because they are emphatically not—they are fantasias, brilliant interpretations, spun with precious metals and gems with one eye toward the aesthetic past and one fixed firmly on the future.

No matter what historical period appeals to you—and why stop with just one?—there is a vintage-inspired jewel to suit your taste and your budget. Maybe you are attracted to the deep secrets of the ancient world—coin pendant anyone? Or the flourishes of the Victorian era, whose delicate intricacies have enchanted wearers for almost 200 years. Or perhaps you consider yourself the epitome of an early 20th-century feminist, with the wild heart of Zelda Fitzgerald and the fierce intelligence of Eleanor Roosevelt, in which case, a vintage-inspired art deco piece could be just the jewel you never knew you had to have until now. Or could it be that you see yourself as the ultimate hippie chick, sadly born too late for Woodstock—but not too young to sport a cheerful, tongue-in-cheek vintage-inspired 1960s baubles?

Whatever you choose, isn’t it fun to be alive at a time when all these spectacular styles of the past are at your literal fingertips? So get ready to flaunt your vintage-inspired treasure. Summer is coming.

Ancient World Talismans

Celebrate the spirit of the ancient world with these mystical jewels, updated interpretations of symbols revered in centuries past.

Alighieri Virgo 24k gold-plated zodiac ring

$350

MATCHESFASHION.COM

Kimberly McDonald 18k blackened white gold, opal, and diamond necklace

$8,425

NET-A-PORTER

Lito Fine Jewelry Grand Vert green-enamel eye rose gold necklace

$1,000

YLANG 23

Elizabeth Locke 19k yellow-gold and ancient bronze coin pendant

$4,200

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Roberto Coin gold hamsa pendant necklace

$1,120

NEIMAN MARCUS

Jacquie Aiche small, smooth turquoise-beaded yellow-gold anklet

$750

YLANG 23

Victorian Moods

The delicate design musings of the Victorian period never cease to enchant. Did you know Queen Victoria’s engagement ring was a snake?

Ileana Makri Berus diamond and 18k rose gold snake ring

$5,621

MATCHESFASHION.COM

Selim Mouzannar Beirut Basic 18k rose gold, paraiba, and diamond ring

$2,770

NET-A-PORTER

Cathy Waterman pink sapphire marquise leaf rose gold ring

$3,950

YLANG 23

Ferian Cupid Wedgwood cameo and 9k gold ring

$845

MATCHESFASHION.COM

Arman Sarkisyan Starburst locket

$5,720

ARMAN SARKISYAN

Maria Tash diamond drape chandelier thread-through rose gold single earring

$1,880

YLANG 23

Art Deco Ambience

The period between the two world wars gave rise to some of the most exciting jewelry creations, from dangling flapper earrings to dazzling geometrical rings.

Harwell Godfrey Elements diamond and 18k gold pinky ring

$2,450

MATCHESFASHION.COM

Yeprem 18k white gold diamond earrings

$66,000

NET-A-PORTER

Boghossian carbon fiber, 18k white gold, and diamond bangle

$6,200

NET-A-PORTER

Francesca Villa Tom Thumb mismatched sapphire and tsavorite earrings

$5,895

MATCHESFASHION.COM

Susan Foster diamond and 18k gold ring

$2,952

MATCHESFASHION.COM

L’Atelier Nawbar mini Pillar of Light 18k rose gold malachite, onyx, and diamond ring

$2,200

MODA OPERANDI

Swinging Sixties Cool

Pop art! Op Art! Hippie beads! Everybody say, Love! This summer, channel your inner Grace Slick and party like it’s 1967.

Chloé Clap for Her! lacquered signet ring

$380

MATCHESFASHION.COM

Carolina Bucci Forte Beads rainbow moon rose gold necklace kit

$1,250

YLANG 23

Roxanne Assoulin Loopy enamel and faux-pearl necklace

$135

NET-A-PORTER

Francesca Villa What?! ruby and 18k gold ring

$4,600

MATCHESFASHION.COM

Gigi Clozeau pink-resin flower yellow-gold charm

$295

YLANG 23

Sydney Evan Love 14k gold necklace with diamonds

$829

MYTHERESA