But brands like Super Smalls, which was founded in 2019 by Maria Dueñas Jacobs, are changing that. With jewelry and accessories intended for ages 3–13, Super Smalls gives kids the opportunity to express themselves like any jewelry lover would—and as a jewelry editor with two super small girls, might I just say they couldn’t have come at a better time.

Jeweler Emily P. Wheeler has made the line even more covetable by bringing her signature design to the children’s accessories. Wheeler’s collaboration with Super Smalls offers the ultimate mama-and-me family matching opportunity: a popular Super Smalls piece for the little one, and a full-size unique fine jewelry version for the grown-up, to complement the mini.

JCK had a few questions for Wheeler about her work with Super Smalls, how becoming a mom has affected her business, and her plans for Jewelry Week in Las Vegas.

How did the collaboration come about? 

Super Smalls and my own brand share the same whimsy-meets-luxury perspective. The only difference is our target audiences—though we both have very keen admirers on the opposite end of the age spectrum. I’ve been a follower of Super Smalls since they launched in 2019, and when I first saw their Magic Unicorn pendant, I knew we had to make something out of our joint philosophies. I reached out to Maria, and it all came together very naturally.

The pieces I created for the collaboration were based on Super Smalls’ best sellers but elevated with precious materials. The integrity of each design is still Super Smalls at its core, but I added my own signature touches like ombré sapphires and hard stones like tiger’s eye, agate, and turquoise.

What has been the reactions to the new releases?

The reception has been amazing! We celebrated the launch with a Mother’s Day event in L.A., and it was so fun to see moms and kids together enjoying and twinning in our pieces. We’ve also had an enthusiastic response on social. I mean, how can you see bejeweled four-leaf clovers and unicorns, and not smile?

You welcomed a little one not too long ago (congratulations and happy belated Mother’s Day!). Has designing jewelry changed for you since becoming a mom?

My Bernadette collection is dedicated to my daughter, Byrdie—it debuted at Couture last year, just after she was born. The collection is a celebration of female empowerment, so it was particularly fitting and important for it to come into the world at the same time as my daughter. In true Emily P. Wheeler fashion, the pieces are unapologetically feminine, and I hope that my work teaches her to embrace her identity.

Beyond designing, the impact of our work has become even more important. Since I started the brand, it’s been my mission to create jewelry that is as responsible and sustainable as possible. I’ve always felt we have a responsibility to do our part to better our industry and the planet, and it’s all for the generation my daughter is a part of and those that follow.

I’m a sucker for anything mama-and-me, especially when the kids are still too small to be embarrassed by me. Do you design any jewelry with your child in mind?

Byrdie is so little that I haven’t created anything for her to wear right now (I leave that to Super Smalls), but I definitely design pieces with the hope that she’ll want to wear them when she’s older.

What are you most looking forward at Las Vegas Jewelry Week?

I’m excited to debut my new Rebels collection at Couture this year. It’s a throwback to my teens in the ’90s—think: black silk cord chokers, pink and green color blocking, and of course more ombré.

Top: Super Smalls’ Lucky Streak four-leaf clover necklace (left, $34) and Emily P. Wheeler’s fine jewelry version (right), a clover necklace in 18k yellow gold with 3.48 cts. t.w. sapphire and crystal quartz, $9,800

Have you ever looked at a gemstone and thought, “Well, that’s juicy!” (I do it all the time.) Or how about the signature Tutti Frutti collection by Cartier—colorful, gemmy, iconic, and historic. The line, which dates back to the 1920s, was inspired by India—but the name brings thoughts of candied fruit.

So yeah, you don’t have to go far to draw a connection between gemstones and fruit. But how about jewels made in the likeness of fruit? Some have gemstones, some do not. They depict nature’s most delicious gifts, and are perfect for summer dressing.

This lighthearted spirit relates to consumers’ thirst for whimsical pieces—like the animal jewels that have been so popular over the past year—and also ties in with ’90s-inspired trends (anyone else suddenly want to wear cherry everything?).

Just before Memorial Day weekend kicks off, check out these juicy jewels for the summer season.

Top: Fruit charms in 14k yellow gold with rhodocrosite, chrismatite, yellow sapphire, amethyst, and emerald, $1,995–$3,995 each; Storrow Jewelry

What I love about Trésor’s moonstone necklace is, well, its moonstones, but also that I can tell how beautifully it would mesh with just about any other necklace.

It’s de rigueur to wear multiple necklaces at once—grouping chunky gold chains, layering pendants, stacking collars—so we want styles that can play well with others. But they should look great alone, too (for when the single statement inevitably comes back into fashion).

Trésor’s piece does both. With its flowery aesthetic and glimmering gems, the necklace might get noticed for its color and joviality. But it could also play well with those aforementioned gold link chains we’re digging so hard right now.

“Inspired by the cuckooflower, this necklace is a new addition to our Flora collection,” Trésor’s designer and founder Puja Bordia tells JCK. “Moonstone—especially rainbow moonstone—has been one of the top-selling gemstones for us,” she says. “Known for its adularescence, it creates distinctive play and exhibits a captivating glow or sheen that moves across the stone as it catches the light from different angles. Also, this beautiful gem works with everyone and with any color outfit, making it universal.”

Puja is readying her brand for the JCK Show in Las Vegas; attendees can see her colorful pieces at the Design Collective area of the show. Puja says to expect “a lot of drop earrings, statement bracelets, flower jewelry, personalized jewelry, earring stacks, stacking rings, and much more.”

The anticipation!

Necklace with 52.84 cts. t.w. pear-shape rainbow moonstone and 0.27 ct. t.w. diamonds in 18k yellow gold, $4,840; Trésor Collection

According to TechCrunch, the app expected to launch this summer will stand on its own, but will be partially integrated within Instagram (owned, like Facebook, by Meta). “Users will keep their Instagram verification and handle, and all of their followers will receive a notification to follow them on the to-be-named platform. Meta’s text-based platform will be decentralized and interoperable with Mastodon, which is built on the ActivityPub protocol,” the article on TechCrunch says.

In a letter to a select group of creators, Meta acknowledges that competitors like Mastodon and Bluesky have head starts in the race to possibly supplant Twitter, but says Meta already possesses a successful family of apps, through which billions of users would be able to access its newest venture.

Lia Haberman, a professor of social and influencer marketing at UCLA and one of the users privy to a peek at the new product, allows that it looks a lot like Twitter and notes that preferences on Instagram—blocked accounts, hidden words—would carry over to this new platform.

MoneyControl reports that the new app is code-named P92; a financial tech professional said on Twitter that it may be called Instagram Notes.

While some people might have Twitter-alternative fatigue, Meta’s entry in the field has its strengths. Instagram users probably wouldn’t have to set up a new account, and depending on how much it’s integrated with Instagram, becoming active might feel more approachable, especially if users can automatically retain their Instagram following on the new app—it won’t be like starting from scratch. Plus, while many Instagram users are not active on Twitter, this potential crossover alleviates the burden of toggling between separate platforms. There’s something to be said for one-stop shopping, not just for individuals but for brands especially.

Meta’s competitor is expected to roll out in June of this year, so a potentially viable Twitter alternative isn’t at all far away. As for whether or not it sticks—or goes the way of Instagram’s attempt at a Pinterest alternative (can’t win ’em all!)—we will just have to wait and see.

(Image via Lia Haberman)

These “wearable sculptures,” as the designer aptly calls them—jewelry versions of her own acclaimed sculptures—were only created in the past year, Mia’s introduction to the jewelry industry. She will be bringing them to the Design Collective on the show floor at JCK Las Vegas, an event we’re eagerly awaiting.

With two weeks to go before JCK, we spoke with Mia about her expectations for the show, her target clientele, storytelling through art and jewelry, and more.

What sparked your interest in the jewelry industry?

I’ve been a sculptor for several decades, working to reveal enchanting nuances of character in the smallest details of each piece I create.

The development of children—their physical transformation and their emotional growth—is my work’s greatest inspiration, never ceasing to fascinate me and drive me to attempt to capture their vibrancy and radiance.

The first and most honest depiction of my heart, a sculpted response to life around me, was of my daughter, my first child, shortly after she was born. The sculpture was such a creation of love that I made every effort to sculpt her exactly as I saw her, how she felt under my fingertips, and how she made my soul feel. This expression of profound love was so fulfilling that ever since, I have been sculpting similar love stories—stories that belong to so many of us.

So as a sculptor, I am also a storyteller speaking not through linguistics but through raw emotion, recognizing and cherishing any glimpses of individual stories in their purest form.

I decided to create jewelry to keep the uplifting stories of the sculptures ever vibrant, proactive, and at the front of mind. My jewelry is designed and created using only components of my sculptures. This compositional re-creation allows the story of each sculpture to be continued, worn, and thus shared more freely than its stationary sculpture counterpart.

What do you like best about designing jewelry? 

My favorite part of designing the jewelry is seeing my sculptures in an entirely new way, allowing the original stories of the sculptures to be retold in an exquisitely intimate composition. I love seeing a sculpture in a new environment, a setting so small that it becomes a storyboard—for example, within a cuff bracelet or a story detail in an earring.

What has been the reception to your jewels so far?  

I have been delighted with a wonderfully enthusiastic response to the jewelry. People tell me that they’ve never seen jewelry quite like it before, and that the look and feel of it speaks to original art.

I have two daughters in their late 20s with opposite and very particular tastes. They both love the jewelry, fashioning their daily outfits around their jewelry choice of the day. Their friends and coworkers are excited about it too. We as parents secretly strive to be “cool” with our kids; I’m thrilled that the jewelry has helped me make the cut!

What kind of customer do you create for—who do you expect would be most interested in your jewelry? 

Currently I create for women of all ages. I think that older teens to great-grandmothers will identify with at least one of the stories of the jewelry. Some pieces have narratives of boldness, confidence, and bravery like in the Vigor collection, and others are romantic and tender like those of Harmony. The Soaring collection delivers a universal message of empowerment, and Arise, with birds from every continent of the globe, celebrates solidarity and equality. She Moves the Stars, Lift Her With Butterflies, and Sunshine Every Day all cherish the exuberance, light, and pure joy of childhood.

I hope that my customers will see my jewelry as keepsakes, with stories to be shared with those near and dear to them.

What are you most looking forward to at the JCK show?

I have heard that the show is extremely busy, with jewelry devotees from all over the world. I am excited to step into this new arena, which is sure to be a departure from the leisurely and contemplative settings of the fine art exhibitions where I show my sculptures.

I am looking forward to thoughtful, constructive feedback on my jewelry, especially from retailers who know their clientele well and are looking for something new and different to offer them.

Are you preparing anything new to showcase at JCK (and, if so, are we allowed a sneak peek)? 

My entire jewelry line is new—I’m thrilled to share it with you.

Top: Harmony cuff in 18k gold-plated bronze and hand-painted ivory, $500; Angela Mia

June, a month rich with options, actually has three birthstones: moonstone, alexandrite, and arguably the most notable of the three, pearl. Pearl gets a lot of press these days, and with good reason—more people are embracing it, it’s breaking gender boundaries, and it’s looking better and more varied than ever.

Moonstone, on the other hand, never seems to get the glory it deserves. It doesn’t glitter or sparkle, that’s true; instead, it gives off an air of mysticism that could have onlookers feeling like they’re gazing into another dimension (maybe being transported isn’t everyone’s thing?).

But the stone’s mystical vibe is part of what makes it so exciting, like wearing a powerful amulet of protection, love, or strength. Given consumers’ sticky enthusiasm for talismanic jewelry, moonstone is a gem to wear, no question.

Design also matters. In the hands of the right creator, a moonstone jewel can take someone from indifferent to enthusiastic. You can always tell a designer who respects moonstone, because they give it the home it deserves—it takes a special eye to know precisely what to do with this luminous gem.

Below, some of the most magical examples.

Top: Necklace in 14k yellow gold with 3 ct. rainbow moonstone and 0.2 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,800; Sig Ward

In 2023, brooches are in full flow—worn by all ages and genders, made in a range of materials by luxury jewelers (hello, Tiffany’s Bird on a Rock) and creators of wearable art.

Virginia-based Yoki Collections offers exquisite brooches, taking inspiration from nature and architecture as well as historical periods. This green amethyst dream from the jeweler’s Vision collection puts all of those inspirations into play.

“I’ve always been fascinated with medieval-era visual settings—as a huge fan, I may have also watched too many medieval movies,” says Yokabid Worku, founder and designer of Yoki Collections. “The piece is an abstract expression and reimagines the visual texture of a medieval garden and its surroundings. It’s like traveling back in time and admiring an enchanted secret medieval garden enclosed with wrought iron railing or standing behind courtyard arches.”

The gorgeous shade of green of the center prasiolite contrasts with a two-tone setting that’s intensified in blackened gold.

“I usually design first, then source the gemstones, but in this case, the design was conceptualized after sourcing the gemstone,” says Yokabid. “The colors of the piece collectively reimagine the backdrop under the sun: The center stone is cushion-cut, which depicts the symmetrical layout of a medieval garden, while the exterior design surrounding the center stone, set in blackened gold, represents the surrounding architecture and hints at the mysterious romantic aspect of the era.”

The brooch can be worn as a pendant, “to cater to the modern consumer desire for versatility,” Yokabid says.

Top: Brooch/pendant in 18k yellow and blackened gold with green amethyst and 0.4 ct. t.w. diamonds, $12,500; Yoki Collections

The person this occasion celebrates deserves to celebrate herself—and those who made her a mom.

French jeweler Gigi Clozeau’s Little Gigi collection offers an absolutely wonderful gifting option for the self-purchasing mom. A child-size version of the brand’s original Gigi bracelet—which was inspired by a piece made for the designer by her father—Little Gigi perfectly serves that mama-mini moment you just can’t help but adore.

“Having my own child inspired me to design little ID bracelets on the classic Gigi chain,” says Clozeau. “Celebrating the little humans around us is something I love doing, as they are the hope for our future. The colors we chose to use throughout the Little Gigi collection are all classic colors, and therefore timeless.”

Apart from Mother’s Day, the sweet bracelets are a lovely gift for an expectant mother or a child’s birthday. But how precious is the idea that a mom would purchase an original Gigi bracelet for herself, and a Little Gigi for her special loves?

The bracelets are made in 18k yellow or rose gold, with resin beads. You can get one with either an oval or rectangular ID plaque or a Madone or cross charm, or as just a beaded chain sans adornment. Colors include lilac, baby blue, white, jade green, baby pink, fuchsia, lapis blue, and pink. Prices run from $200 to $420.

A classic Gigi bracelet for mom ranges in price from $200 to $1,825, with a variety of styles and colors. A similar series of necklaces is also available.

As for this jeweler and mom, Clozeau says she wishes for a sunny Sunday this Mother’s Day, to enjoy outdoors with her family. “And I’m secretly hoping that my husband and son are planning to give me a little box or bag with something magical inside!” she says.

Top: Little Gigi lilac bracelet in 18k yellow gold with rectangular plaque, $420; Gigi Clozeau

Ask moms what they want and you might hear different answers: a special day with her family, or the day alone; a big extravagant gift, or a handmade treasure from the kids. Me? I want to sleep in, paint my walls, eat cheese danishes with my family with a mimosa or two—and I wouldn’t mind a new special piece of jewelry.

Of course jewelry! Big or small, sentimental or fashionable (or both), jewelry is a no-brainer gift that’s either the finishing touch to a lovely day or the only thing a mama wants. And who better to ask which jewels they long for than those who work with jewelry day in and day out?

Below, some of the most dedicated jewelry public relations mamas we know sound off on their wishes for this upcoming holiday.

Francesca Simons, Francesca Simons Consulting

“Every day is Mother’s Day for me, I celebrate being a mum 365 days a year with my boys. I always buy them Legos on Mother’s Day so we can celebrate together and they have something to unwrap and enjoy too. For Mother’s Day I usually self-purchase a special piece to myself—a gift to reward myself for being a hardworking single mother. My company is my third child, after all, so a gift is in order.

“This year I am gifting myself the brand-new Jacquie Aiche x Timex Sweet Romance collaboration watch in lapis. The new timepieces are simply gorgeous, and the perfect watch candy!

“I am a huge bracelet collector, and one can never stack enough bracelets. So this year I am adding a new Eéra chain bracelet to my wrist. WIth mixed metal being a huge trend, I wanted to find the perfect bracelet, and the Eéra chunky, punk style is exactly what I have been eyeing for some time now.”

Yael Fraynd, YaYa Publicity

“When I first saw the Love Bug pendants by Mason and Books, I immediately fell in love. I’m so thrilled that Jamie [Books], the designer of Mason and Books, worked with me on a special Big Love Bug that will be ready just in time for Mother’s Day. I love green gemstones, so a center prasiolite stone was the perfect start. Jamie then used ruby, sapphires, and emeralds as the center stone accents, which are the birthstones of my two daughters and youngest son. My oldest son’s birthstone is an opal, which completed the piece perfectly as the wings of the Love Bug.

“This Big Love Bug is another color combo I absolutely love. You can never have too many! There is so much meaning behind the piece, and the attention to detail is unmatched. The hidden heart design on the flip side of the Love Bug is so special to me, as I will wear it close to my heart.

“One of the best parts of my job is getting to see and try on so many stunning jewels. White/Space’s Continuity ring is a piece I love to return to again and again. The clean design of the ring combined with sparkling pavé is the perfect backdrop for a stunning pear-shaped diamond center stone. It has such wearability and can make a major style impact even with its minimalistic elements. This story can serve as a gift—hint, hint—for my husband.”

Jen Cullen Williams, Jen Cullen Williams Consulting

“I was immediately captivated by Scribe, which is designed by Austin, Texas, retailer Elizabeth Gibson of Eliza Page. This collection artfully weaves individual narratives using the language of gemstones. Each piece in the collection combines symbolic gold emblems with birthstones or Scribe’s gemstone alphabet guide to spell out expressions of endearment.

“Since the birth of my daughter [occurred] on Valentine’s Day, my affinity for heart motifs and the word love has grown stronger. The word love holds a special place in my heart, as it was among the first words my daughter learned to say and now spell. Scribe’s large beaded radiant heart medallion spells love in gemstones [labradorite, opal, violet (amethyst), emerald].

“I’m also so obsessed with these Scribe petite ‘Love You’ huggies set in 14k gold featuring the following stones [for the ‘you’]: yellow topaz, opal, ultramarine (lapis).”

Sophie Louise Tomlin, Avenue Publicity

“I’ve always been a fan of sculptural designs, and right now I’m loving the Diamond Dipped Looped Ring from Tejen [pictured at top], which wraps around the finger in an abstract figure eight, symbolizing eternity—everlasting in both meaning and material.

“I’m loving the new pastel-toned Manifest necklaces from Sig Ward Jewelry. Not only are they beautiful tones for summer, they symbolize a magnet and are a talisman to remind us that our thoughts and beliefs attract and shape our future—something I definitely need reminding off as a busy mum of three.”

Phyllis London, Phyllis London PR

“I recognize how lucky I am to be a mom and have a job that I love, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. If I could clone myself to get everything done, I would. This year I am going to try and slow down a bit for Mother’s Day and enjoy some time with my family.

“These Muzo Essentials hoops are incredibly versatile; with the detachable charms, you get two looks. I am also a May baby so bring on the emeralds!

“I have fallen in love with this gold, black enamel, and diamond signet ring from Serpentine Jewels. It is so chic, just like the woman behind the brand, Ali Galgano.”

Top: Looped ring in 18k yellow gold with 0.75 ct. t.w. diamonds, $6,000; Tejen

A lot of variations are aspirational, it’s true—you won’t see the average customer spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single piece of jewelry, and if they do, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime purchase (or that customer is definitely a collector).

But designers are broadening their reach through the use of fancy color diamonds—mostly in smaller carat sizes, but that’s enough to set these pieces apart from your traditional diamond fare.

Here, we enjoy a bit of both: You’ll see jaw-dropping fancy color blue and pink pieces worthy of Barbie’s dream jewelry box, but you’ll also find accessible styles that can be worn every day, no vault necessary (not that we’d recommend keeping any of these beauties hidden away in a vault!).

Top: Talisman medal in 18k white gold with 9.65 cts. t.w. rough (in brown, green, and blue hues), round, and baguette-cut diamonds, $58,000; De Beers