Being as extra as we are, naturally we’re drawn towards things bright and sparkly—the bigger and sparklier, generally, the better. But there is something to be said for more subtle pieces, especially when they’re as beautifully designed and wearable as Zoë Chicco’s designs.
If you don’t know her name, you definitely know her work—it adorns the ears, necks, and fingers of the likes of Karlie Kloss, Serena Williams, and Jennifer Lawrence. Chicco basically pioneered the whole subtle, personal jewelry movement, and 18 years after the brand’s launch, she’s still going strong out of her Los Angeles studio. And while diamonds are her favorite stones to work with, she recently launched a collaboration with Gemfields using ethically sourced precious gems, too.
We were lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes peek at her workshop and showroom, and hear how a math teacher got her started in jewelry.
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“Everyone in the industry is familiar with Gemfields’ reputation. They are the leading supplier of responsibly sourced emeralds, rubies, and amethysts in the world. So I was honored when they reached out to see if I was interested in working with them. One of our goals was to show that emerald pieces can be everyday jewelry too. Some people are afraid of color, but it can be layered in well with your other pieces—it doesn’t have to be a special occasion. I also wanted the collection to still be reflective of my brand; it needed to be able to sit with my current collection in stores and still feel like Zoe Chicco. When I look at the pieces, they feel like the next evolution of some of our signature styles, and the focal point of the larger emerald stones really makes it special. I intentionally created a nice balance between affordable and a bit more aspirational. I’m thrilled with the way the collection came out—the reaction to the pieces has been incredible, and that’s so gratifying to me!”
