Raymond Weil watches came about during the Quartz Crisis, a time of great uncertainty for the Swiss watch industry. However, by deftly blending together the tradition of watchmaking and the modern technology, Raymond Weil has left its indelible mark on the watch industry. Here, we explore the fascinating history of Raymond Weil watches.

Setting the Scene: The Quartz Crisis
Before we can delve into the origins of Raymond Weil, we need to understand the precarious situation the Swiss industry was in before and during the infamous Quartz Crisis.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, a handful of international watch brands started introducing battery-powered watches, including the Bulova Accutron (1960), the Seiko Astron (1969), and the Hamilton Watch Company Pulsar (1970). While these innovative watches were met with some fanfare, it was the Japanese watch brand Seiko that took the biggest bite out of the previously unrivaled Swiss watch industry.

Throughout the decade, Seiko systematically converted its facilities to support its quartz technology by retraining staff, partnering with vendors for batteries and circuits, and buying up equipment to automate and scale production. By 1977, Seiko had built itself into the largest watch brand in the world in terms of revenue. Seiko dominated the market, thanks in large part to its split between analog and digital quartz watches, hedging out its competition from both sides.

So, Seiko has the lion’s share of the market’s revenue and the traditional Swiss brands are finally coming around to the harsh reality that their floundering industry is in dire need of restructuring. And it’s in the midst of this incredible industry turmoil and uncertainty that Raymond Weil launched his breakthrough brand.

The Origins of Raymond Weil
Raymond Weil founded his namesake brand in 1976 and was wisely ahead of the Swiss watchmaking curve. Born in 1926 in Geneva, Weil cut his teeth working at the Camy Watch Company, which he joined in 1949. He became the company’s general manager and remained with the brand for 27 years. Then, at the age of 50, Weil left Camy Watch and boldly struck out on his own at the height of the Quartz Crisis.

But Weil took a totally novel approach to compete in this tumultuous arena. While his competitors either hopped on the bandwagon of cheap quartz watches or tried to hold out with their traditional watchmaking techniques, Raymond Weil introduced and effectively marketed the “entry-level luxury watch.”

Raymond Weil’s watches were (and most still are) powered by quartz crystals but leaned into the cachet of “Swiss-made” watches and incorporated the classic designs and touches of a traditional Swiss watch. This unique approach was a breakthrough at a crucial time in the industry’s history, appealing to both new and seasoned collectors. Alongside the Swatch Group, Raymond Weil is largely credited with sustaining the Swiss watchmaking industry until its mechanical renaissance in the 1980s.

Today, the brand Raymond Weil remains one of the last remaining independent, family-run Swiss brands. With the third generation of the Weil-Bernheim family at the helm, Raymond Weil holds steadfast to its identity that was built around such a cutting-edge approach: gracefully designed, Swiss-made watches at an affordable price point.

Bulgari is a beloved and internationally renowned jewelry brand, best recognized for its B.Zero1, Serpenti, and namesake BVLGARI BVLGARI collections.

However, Bulgari’s far-reaching popularity makes it incredibly susceptible to counterfeiters. We break down some basic red flags to signal that a piece of Bulgari jewelry is inauthentic and delve into more collection-specific warning signs for fake Bulgari jewelry.

General Red Flags of a Piece of Fake Bulgari Jewelry
The Material and Weight
Bulgari jewelry is made from weighty precious materials and therefore has a nice amount of heft. If you’re handling a piece of questionable jewelry and it feels oddly lightweight, it’s very likely a fake piece of Bulgari jewelry.

That said, some counterfeiters will go so far as to use genuine materials (like real diamonds or gemstones) in their knock-offs—so, while you may have a real diamond pendant, it’s not an authentic Bulgari piece. This makes it more challenging to immediately distinguish a fake from a real piece and why analyzing the design and craftsmanship is so important to sniffing out an inauthentic piece.

The BVLGARI Hallmark
Bulgari uses the traditional Roman spelling BVLGARI as their logo and their official trademarked stamp. (For more on how to distinguish the two spellings, read our post “Is it Bulgari or Bvlgari?” here.) Certain Bulgari stamps are written in Italian, like “Roma,” or in French, like “Fabrique en Suisse,” as on their watches. Meanwhile, forged pieces of Bulgari jewelry may sloppily stamp the signature as BULGARI or “Made in Italy.”

How to Spot a Fake Bulgari B.Zero1 Ring

The B.Zero1 collection is an signature design for Bulgari. As such, it is one of the more frequently counterfeited collections, too.

One big tip-off for a fake Bulgari B.Zero1 ring can be easily spotted in B.Zero1 rings with multiple bands. The double- and tri-banded B.Zero1 rings are actually built as an elegant spiral and the bands gently compress and expand when you press them together. Meanwhile, counterfeit B.Zero1 rings are oftentimes made as a solid piece of metal, with etched grooves imitating that authentic spiral shape. In turn, the rigid ring won’t contract.

To learn more about how to determine a real versus fake Bulgari B.Zero1 ring, read our full post on the topic here.

How to Spot a Fake Bulgari Serpenti Bracelet

The Bulgari Serpenti collection channels the seductive serpent motif from ancient Greek and Roman mythology. The Serpenti collection is also an engineering marvel; the individual links and scales that make up the Serpenti’s slinking shape fit together perfectly. This gives the Bulgari Serpenti a marvelous balance of form and movement. On a genuine Bulgari Serpenti bracelet, the serpent’s “resting” shape is in the wrapped or coiled position. To slip it on, you simply gently unfurl the bracelet and let it wrap around your wrist.

Fake Serpenti bracelets, however, will be a solid rigid piece or articulate at only a few of the hinging scales. Alternatively, if the Serpenti bracelet in question unwinds completely or lays totally flat when off your wrist, it’s an immediate sign of inauthenticity.

How to Spot a Fake BVLGARI BVLGARI Station Necklace

Bulgari’s BVLGARI BVLGARI collection was inspired by the inscriptions on ancient Roman gold coins. Because the design is so elegantly simple, it makes it an attractive design for counterfeiters to mimic.

On an authentic piece of BVLGARI BVLGARI jewelry, the lettering will be evenly spaced and is separated by two circles. The top BVLGARI stamp is centered across the top and then the bottom BVLGARI stamp runs upside down across the bottom. (There are a handful of newer BVLGARI BVLGARI designs that read BVLGARI ROMA but are still authentic Bulgari designs. Cross-reference the piece you’re eyeing with a known picture of the genuine design to double-check which text it includes.)

The quality of the stamp is important to note. The real BVLGARI BVLGARI stamp is clean with sharp edges whereas a fake version will have a messier stamp with less definition or rounded edges.

Whether you’re trucking through a blistering New York City summer or you’re enjoying a luxe vacation in the sunny, sand-filled paradise of Belize, you’re still bound to show off your favorite pieces of jewelry. However, neither the thick humidity and pollution of the city nor the hot, salty air of the beach are good for your precious pieces.

We’ve put together a few tips from our experts to help you take care of your jewelry and keep them looking fresh and sparkly in the summer heat.

Our tips mostly fall under the realm of three categories: damage prevention, cleansing, and storage. These are the departments of jewelry care that you need to pay special attention to when it comes to keeping jewelry in pristine condition in warm climes.

Damage Prevention 
Before you even get the chance to inadvertently damage your jewelry, you should keep these tips in mind, especially if your summer plans include a body of water.

1. Avoid wearing particularly vulnerable pieces out on the beach.
Though you may want to show off the gorgeous 22 karat gold bracelet that you bought for yourself as a treat, it would be best if you kept that particular piece at home if you’re planning a trip to the beach. Gold is a very soft metal, and the higher the karat (meaning the purer the gold), the more vulnerable a gold piece is to nicks, scratches, and even warping. With all the sand blowing around at the beach, your precious jewelry would be at serious risk of damage.

The sea salt is also especially damaging for certain metals and gemstones. You should keep pieces embedded with soft gemstones like emerald or opal at home, since stones like these are porous and can absorb the salt from the air. That will lead to them rotting from the inside out. Leave copper-infused metals in storage as well: to keep your precious rose gold or stainless steel in perfect condition, keep them away from salt. Salt corrodes copper, and it will inevitably damage your copper-infused pieces as well.

When going to the beach, your safest bet is to don lower-karat gold or sturdy platinum pieces if you want to accessorize.

2. Keep your jewelry out of chlorine.
With warm weather often comes the insurmountable need to take a dip in the pool, but do yourself and your jewelry collection a favor by taking your pieces off before you dive in. Chlorine is terrible for jewelry: like salt to copper, chlorine is corrosive to most jewelry metals. Sources conflict about whether platinum is affected by chlorine, but to play it safe, keep platinum jewelry away from chlorine, too. The chemical is so bad for jewelry that prolonged exposure can lead to discoloration or the dulling of shine at best and cracking at worst.

3. Take off rings before entering cold water.
Your extremities tend to shrink when your body is submerged in freezing water, so it’s best to slip your rings back into your jewelry box before taking a dip to avoid losing them to the depths of the ocean or to the mercy of the pool filter.

Cleansing
Jewelry is more prone to damage during the summer season than any other time of year primarily because of all the liquids the metals are exposed to. Sweat, lotions, sunscreens, and, of course, pool water and salt water are all inevitably part of the summer experience. Follow these tricks to keep your jewelry fresh and damage-free.

1. Wipe your pieces down with a soft polishing cloth at the end of the day.
Prolonged exposure to sweat can seriously damage your jewelry: sterling silver can even turn black if made vulnerable to the body’s natural oils! As such, be sure to wipe off your jewelry after wearing them, especially if they’ve been exposed to your skin. Make sure you’re only using a polishing cloth, and not a bath towel, to clean the pieces, since the loops in the fabric of towels can catch on the details of your piece and loosen any gemstone settings or warp carvings.

2. Use mild soap diluted with water to give your pieces a deep cleaning.
High quality jewelry is delicate and often porous, so when you need to slather on sunscreen or moisturize dry skin, do so before you put on your jewelry, and let your skin completely absorb the lotions and creams first. Your skin should be totally dry when you put on jewelry because the chemicals in commercial lotions and creams can really damage your jewelry. If you’re the type to leave your pieces on while putting on skincare products, then you should definitely be deep cleaning your jewelry.

Use this guide we’ve put together for deep cleaning jewelry made of different types of metals to make sure you’re following the correct procedure for your specific pieces of jewelry

3. Have your pieces regularly cleaned by a professional.
Whether you deep clean your jewelry yourself or not, it’s smart to take your pieces in for a professional cleaning by a licensed jeweler. They have special jewelry cleaning machines that can remove dirt, salt, or other potentially harmful particles from your pieces. In addition to that, a jeweler will also check the settings on your jewelry to make sure no gemstones are loose.

Storage
Whether it’s the middle of July or the dead of January, it’s important to properly store your jewelry so that you can be sure that it won’t sustain damage when not in use.

1. Keep jewelry locked away in a cool, dark place when not in use.
During the summer months, you bring your jewelry out where it’s sunny and warm, and while this isn’t bad for the pieces in small doses, it’s important that when you get home, they get to have a reprieve from the bright light and the heat. Too much sunlight can fade gemstones, and, if it gets hot enough, the metal can easily bend or warp. Stash your pieces away in a cool, dark place when not in use to prevent damage.

2. Use anti-tarnish strips for silver.
If you can’t control the humidity of the room in which your jewelry is kept, always be sure to store silver jewelry with anti-tarnish strips. Even the little silica packets that come with new shoes or bags are perfect for storing with silver! The point is to wick moisture away from the environment so that silver doesn’t tarnish or rust. This is especially useful if your silver has been exposed to water, since any residual moisture from the water or from the cleaning will dry off without sustaining damage to your jewelry.

3. Store jewelry separately.
Much like how sand can scratch or nick your jewelry, hard gemstones like diamonds can do serious damage to other pieces if stored loosely. For the good of your jewelry collection, it’s best if you store pieces separately, preferably in a jewelry box lined with fabric so that each individual piece is cushioned and thoroughly protected.

Main image via Pinterest.

Roberto Coin’s jewelry is renowned for its alluring femininity and its unshakeable roots in Italian art, architecture, and history. The lively spirit and fluid structure of Roberto Coin pieces embody the colorful and vivacious energy that runs deep within the culture of Italy.

However, Coin’s pieces do not simply pay homage to the culture that inspires their designs: they are also incredibly diverse, rendering them remarkably stylistically flexible. These pieces can play the centerpiece to any jewelry collection in the world.

Nevertheless, one Roberto Coin collection truly rises above the rest. We’re taking you inside the Barocco collection, its modern descendant, and the amazing artisanal technique that unites the two.

Roman Barocco: The Original

The most popular collection of Coin’s arrangement of designs is undoubtedly the Roman Barocco collection. Named after the Italian word for “Baroque,” this Roberto Coin classic embodies the heavily-detailed, ornamental style of the Baroque era. Roman Barocco pieces are heavily influenced by the cathedrals and religious imagery of Rome, as evinced by the diamond-shaped cage design and the signature twisted thread motif.

The diamond-shaped cutout effect that Roman Barocco pieces demonstrate contributes to the light, airy aesthetic that makes these pieces ultra-wearable. While they have a significant presence on the body, the design is subtle enough so that they don’t overpower the rest of the ensemble. This particular element was inspired by Roman cupolas, which are small towers built on top of buildings to help air circulate, an architectural feature that was developed during the Renaissance.

The twisted thread motif, which is signature to the Barocco collection, brings a remarkable amount of detail and dimension to each Barocco piece. The woven gold evokes early medieval religious art, which was often bordered or ornamented by twisted ropes. This detail is also proof positive of Roberto Coin’s amazing artisanship as a jewelry house: created with longevity in mind, the threads that make up each Barocco piece were welded out of a specially-concocted alloy that becomes remarkably durable once cured in a certain type of oven. The very thin gold threads are artfully twisted together while still malleable after being heated, resulting in a one-of-a-kind design that will last through the ages.

New Barocco: The Evolution

Everything is sleek in the 21st century, including and especially the jewelry. Stackable and customizable rings, bracelets, and necklaces rule the market. The New Barocco collection is Roberto Coin’s response to that trend. The modern descendant of the Roman Barocco, the New Barocco retains the solid roots in Italian heritage but forgoes the complex ornamentation tied to Baroque art in favor of a sleeker silhouette that envelopes more powerful and meaningful symbols into the design, instead.

Characterized by two principal looks, the collection features pieces whose designs incorporate either pavé diamond clusters or Navette-shaped cage effects. Borrowing inspiration from Italian culture and religion like its predecessor, the New Barocco collection marries the complex artistic styles of the 1600s with the pragmatic styles of the modern era.

The pavé diamond clusters are welded together in a dome shape to suggest volume and to make a significant visual impact. Inspired by the domes that sit atop Italian cathedrals, the pavé diamond design is meant to catch the eye, much as the churches do when they stand out against the Roman skyline. The pavé clusters throw impressive halos of light thanks to their many facets, a feat that would not have had the same effect from a single, large stone. Whether the clusters form the center of a statement ring, stations of a necklace, or the primary element of a drop earring, they maintain a unique allure that is the result of the perfect balance between the antique and the modern.

The Navette-shaped cage design, similar to the diamond-shaped design of the Roman Barocco collection, brings levity to the New Barocco pieces. Though it was inspired by the netting in bridal veils, this romantic design element is also evocative of cathedral windows. As some Navette-designed New Barocco pieces also feature several beautiful marquise diamonds, the fire and brilliance thrown by the stones in these pieces of jewelry combine with that elegant shape to conjure the memory of the stained glass that decorates Italy’s churches. And, like in the Roman Barocco collection, the twisted thread motif that makes up the Navette cages calls back to the decorations in religious art. It is this motif that unites the old with the new and shows off the remarkable Roberto Coin craftsmanship that wins the hearts of jewelry enthusiasts everywhere.

Roberto Coin’s ethos is as romantic as his many jewelry collections are: “Art is the beauty of life. Love is the soul of nature.” The designer makes sure that each of his specially-crafted pieces is full of the same lively sentimentality. Coupled with the charming ruby detail hidden inside each Roberto Coin piece that’s meant to bring good fortune to the wearer, the unique designs from this jewelry house are meant to bring out the idealist in all of us.

Inspired by the world around him, Roberto Coin produces a remarkable number of new collections every year, and each one embodies a fresh spirit that appeals to the senses in a different way. We’re looking at 5 of the brand’s latest collections and picking out the best pieces from each one to help guide you to the best Roberto Coin purchase for your sense of style.

New Barocco
The New Barocco collection from Roberto Coin takes root in the religious influence of the Baroque period but removes the complex ornamentation. Instead, these pieces are sleek and uncomplicated, choosing instead to use beautiful marquise-cut diamonds and twisted-thread detailing to make the exquisite craftsmanship of the pieces sing. To represent this collection, we’ve chosen the Rose Gold Braid Bangle, the Diamond Station Necklace, and the 18K Yellow Gold Earrings.

Classica Parisien
Roberto Coin’s Classica Parisienne collection is all clean lines, all the time. Including a fresh take on the classic hoop and concentric rounded square necklaces, this collection is simple and minimalist without being trite. From this collection, we recommend the Hoop Earrings with Diamonds and the Diamond Bangle.

Princess Flower
A sharp quatrefoil-like shape is the star of the show for Roberto Coin’s Princess Flower collection. The designs in this collection are fluid and organic, and yet each piece is breathtakingly unique. While some evoke the ornamentalist attitudes of the Baroque period, others remain alluringly simple—thus allowing everyone to have a petal of the flower that fits their style and jewelry wardrobe. We select the Diamond Earrings, the Diamond Charm Bracelet, and the Flower Pendant Necklace.

Venetian Princess
Like its sister collection, Princess Flower, Roberto Coin’s Venetian Princess collection uses a four-point flower as its main motif. However, while the Princess Flower collection focuses on the natural spirit of the design, the Venetian Princess collection explores the transcendent aspect of it. The bigger and bolder pieces of this collection would not be out of place at the Met Cloisters museum, where medieval art is the star of the exhibit. And yet, the sleek, simple necklaces and bracelets tell different stories: some are perfectly delicate, others are more significant, cuff-like designs whose unique gemstone arrangement draws the eye. Almost all Venetian Princess pieces are also designed to have a three-dimensional silhouette, bringing an alluring complexity to the collection. Our favorites are the White Gold Bracelet with White and Black Diamonds, the Diamond Earrings, and the Diamond Ring.

Symphony
Roberto Coin’s Symphony collection is a pentatonic masterpiece. Five different designs, exhibiting the subtle cadences of each of Roberto Coin’s collections, come together to inform this simple but significant collection. The bracelets, rings, and necklaces are thin and stackable, allowing for an astounding level of personalization. Each piece is a shining example of Roberto Coin’s exemplary artisanship, and it is this collection’s unique advantage that it captures the spirit of the Roberto Coin pathos in the details of these petite pieces without sacrificing estimable Italian craftsmanship. From this collection, we love the Rose Gold Diamond Bangle, the Diamond Pendant Bracelet, and the Diamond Hoop Earrings.

The Rolex brand has long connoted a sense of luxury and artisanal craftsmanship, and for good reason. Rolex watches are made with the finest materials and the utmost precision. However, the meticulous care that goes into every model should not immediately disqualify the brand to collectors on a budget. We’ve put together 7 Rolex models that can star in your watch collection without breaking the bank, plus a few tips for choosing more affordable iterations of popular models.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 

A collector who prefers their timepieces to look minimalist and uncluttered but still significant would appreciate the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. This unobtrusive model features sharp, square hands and markers housed inside a sleek Oyster case. One shouldn’t be fooled by the simple design, however: inside that case lives an incredibly precise and powerful movement that keeps this watch accurate to -2/+2 seconds per day. This financially accessible watch is perfect for the collector who is just starting to dip their toes into the world of horology. It runs for about $2,500 on TrueFacet Marketplace and about $4,850 at retail price.

Rolex Datejust

The Rolex Datejust comes in so many iterations—featuring a variety of dials and bezels to suit every collector’s personal style—but its air of sophistication never wavers between designs. New collectors often assume that the Datejust lands on the pricier end of the spectrum because of that stateliness that it exhibits, but in actuality, this watch’s regal and understated look is quite accessible. This would make an excellent starter dress watch for a new collection. It runs for about $2,000 on TrueFacet Marketplace and about $6,000 at retail price.

Rolex Explorer

For a collector who seeks a timepiece that will accompany them through their adventures through the great outdoors, the Rolex Explorer would make the perfect entry-level Rolex. This model evokes traditional Rolex design, with lumes in the hour markers, arrowhead hands, and a rotating bezel for a second time zone, all of which are present in one form or another on classic Rolexes like the GMT-Master and the Sea-Dweller. It runs for about $4,000 on TrueFacet Marketplace and about $8,200 at retail price.

Rolex Submariner

Even the most seasoned watch collectors will never turn their noses up at a Rolex Submariner. This model has one of the most recognizable designs in Rolex’s entire compendium of watches. With its Cerachrom rotating bezel, luminescent markers and hands, and signature casing, the Submariner is one of the classic models that make an excellent investment. That said, new collectors will find that their dollar goes far when it comes to this watch, which would truly become a cornerstone piece in their burgeoning collection. It runs for about $6,000 on TrueFacet Marketplace and between $7,000 and $30,000 at retail price.

Rolex Milgauss

Science enthusiasts would especially love the Rolex Milgauss‘s tribute to the field of engineering. Built for scientists who are exposed to strong magnetic fields on a day-to-day basis, this unique timepiece features a soft-iron inner case and anti-magnetic parts to quell the effects of the field on its timekeeping ability. New collectors will love this watch’s surprisingly low price point and fascinating history. It runs for about $6,000 on TrueFacet Marketplace and between $8,000 and $9,000 at retail price.

Rolex AirKing

The retro design on the Rolex AirKing makes this affordable model singular in its 1950s-inspired aesthetic. The AirKing was made to pay tribute to pilots, and as such, it is equipped with a strong stainless steel case and bracelet, anti-magnetic parts, and a very readable dial. Not only is this model visually timeless, but it’s also incredibly functional—the perfectly pragmatic addition to a growing watch collection. It runs for about $3,300 on TrueFacet Marketplace and about $6,200 at retail price.

Choosing the More Affordable Model
Here are a few quick tips for selecting the cheapest option between versions of the same model.
1. Choose stainless steel over yellow or white gold or silver.
First of all, stainless steel is not nearly as precious a metal as gold or silver. When a whole watch, bracelet and all, is made of those precious metals, its price skyrockets. Opt for a classic stainless steel case for a timepiece that will not only be more affordable, but it will also be much sturdier and scratch-resistant than a gold or silver watch.
2. Pick a plain dial.
Rolexes often come with mother-of-pearl dials or with diamond markers. These details hike up the price of what could be a very affordable timepiece because of their expensive material and because of the scarcity of authentic models made with those adjustments. Stick to metal dials and markers for a simple look that won’t break the bank.
3. Stay away from rare or limited edition pieces.
This one should be obvious, but new collectors simply aren’t always informed about which models are limited edition or special. And when it comes to Rolex, even pieces that seem to be damaged can cost a veritable fortune! Check out this post for more information about picking out special Rolexes and identifying cost-inflating “damage” on vintage Rolexes.

The Roberto Coin Appassionata collection is singular in its unique, woven texture that appears in its 18 karat gold necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. These pieces take on a fabric-like aesthetic that evokes the incredibly detailed and meticulously handcrafted jewelry of Ancient Egypt. We’re taking you inside this fan-favorite collection and explaining how the basket weave design works.

The Backstory

Ever the innovator, Roberto Coin found inspiration for the exceptional woven texture of his jewelry when he was in a car factory. The elegant arrangement of intertwined hoses at the factory left an indelible impression on the designer, and from it was born the Appassionata collection. With a name meaning “passionate” in Italian, this collection clearly came to life thanks to Coin’s discerning eye and dedication to design.

The fabric-like composition on the pieces in this collection is meticulously handcrafted by the artisans at Roberto Coin. Each “thread” is one thin piece of gold, laid flat and then heated so that it bends. These strands are then skillfully woven together like a basket, forming one cohesive design that is both sturdy as well as beautiful.

A Wardrobe Staple

This collection’s woven look is so popular that future collections, like Primavera and Designer Gold, incorporated the technique into their designs as well. It’s easy to see why this incredible, statement-making design is such a fan favorite.

First of all, pieces in the Appassionata collection are inherently hard-wearing. The woven texture of the pieces makes it so that the gold is very thick and difficult to break. On the necklaces, since each link is woven together and not connected through tiny rings that can warp or break, the wearer can rest assured that their piece will not fall apart easily, if at all. Some of the pieces even incorporate diamonds into the design, which are, of course, the hardest gemstone in existence. Roberto Coin clearly designed this collection with longevity in mind, making it excellent for heirloom pieces that will survive the ages.

More than that, the unique design is one that will never go out of style. The bold lines and prominent silhouettes of Appassionata pieces transcend fickle trends and will complement any ensemble thanks to their simplicity and classic composition. Each piece commands attention because of its significant presence on the hand, wrist, or neck, making it the perfect statement-maker that won’t overpower the rest of the outfit, or indeed, the rest of the wearer’s jewelry collection.

One attractive element of the Appassionata collection and of Roberto Coin’s jewelry as a whole is actually not visible from the outside. Each piece is fashioned with a tiny ruby on the inside that makes direct contact with the wearer’s skin. According to legend, ruby gemstones are harbingers of good fortune, and in this case, they represent the message of good wishes that Roberto Coin dedicates to his passionate clientele.

Header image courtesy of First Dibs.

There are times, as a member of the jewelry community, when I take for granted the fact that those inside of my bubble (namely jewelry designers) are not always known by name to shoppers in the outside world. While in conversations with longtime friends, I’ll sometimes find myself wondering why they have a puzzled look on my face when I mentioned names like Fernando Jorge or Arman Sarkisyan and the beautiful designs they create. Thankfully, because they’ve known me as a person who’s been in the industry her entire adult life, they often want me to elaborate and educate them on what makes these people and their work so special and what separates them from some of the more mainstream names in the jewelry business– which is also what I’m going to do here in this very article.

Here are five jewelry designers whose names you may not know, but who create works of wearable art and uniquely designed adornments worthy of your research.

Peter Schmid of Atelier Zobel
It is safe to say that Peter Schmid does what no other jewelry artisan even comes close to doing. Born in Ostrach, Germany in 1971, Peter Schmid completed a three-year apprenticeship with a master goldsmith in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany in 1995 before joining the team at Atelier Zobel as a goldsmith the same year. In 2005, he became the head designer of the jewelry house, before taking over the company as the owner. With extraordinary works that have been displayed in fine art galleries around the world, Peter has formed a following within the art community who see his contrasting patterns and unusual shapes for what they are: creative, substantial, and one-of-a-kind.

Nancy Badia of Buddha Mama
Bold, beautiful, and brave, Nancy Badia opted for as more creative way to make a living after working alongside her husband for twenty-five years building their family business. With the help of her daughter Dakota ( who is also a jewelry designer), Nancy launched Buddha Mama, a line of finely crafted handmade jewelry inspired by Buddhism and Eastern traditions. Nancy and her team travel the world in search of stones, carvings, and artisans who are able to help her to bring her spiritually-inspired ideas to fruition.

Daria de Koning
A graphic designer-turned-graduate gemologist and metalsmith, Daria de Koning is a born and bred New Yorker of Dutch and American descent. Inspired by her love of painting and attraction to cabochon-cut gemstones, Daria’s designs play with a mix of colors, creating pieces that use clusters of stones in a way an artist would when painting, thus giving the pieces she creates an organic feel that comes off as both easily wearable and eye-catching. Daria, unlike a handful of designers, is also extraordinarily comfortable at the bench because of her background in metalsmithing.

Emanuela Duca
A native of Rome, Italy, the contemporary designs of Emanuela Duca are a reflection of the ancient history of her homeland and the modern New York City, where she now partially resides. Through her use of textured sterling silver and 18K yellow gold surfaces which often resemble the look of volcanic ash, Emanuela pays homage to the ruins of Italy. Her unique designs come off as both primitive and sophisticated, and the metals she uses to create them allow her pieces to be affordable for the woman looking to start a substantial collection.

Moritz Glik
Originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Moritz Glik, a shoe designer-turned-jewelry artisan, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising before moving to New York City in 1991 where he quickly found his true calling in the jewelry universe. Loving colored gemstones and diamonds alike, Moritz found mastery in precious metals as well, learning the world of goldsmithing which he put to use in his mesmerizing works. His playful nature is apparent in his Kaleidoscope collection which uses multiple loose gemstones housed between panes of white sapphires to give the appearance of shimmering, shaking gems behind glass– a design that has earned him numerous awards over the years.

While the jewelry world is home to a plethora of extraordinary, talented designers, craftspeople, and artisans, these are five designers who standout for me because of their uniqueness and wearability of their work. And like any industry, with each passing day, new superstars are born, and so the design world has no shortage of talent, nor do I suspect that it ever will. This is likely why it’s easy to get lost among the big names if you’re a designer, but take it from the five above: doing things differently and thinking outside of the box will most certainly get you noticed.