The best jewellery for summer
After an extended hiatus, international summer holidays are back, and they’ve left an important question in their wake: how’s your holiday wardrobe looking?
Given we’ve been grounded on UK soil for what feels like the longest time, your summer style essentials probably need a refresh. Fortunately for you, we’re spoiling you for choice with our collection of holiday jewellery this year. Our independent jewellery designers have been busy designing necklaces, rings, and bracelets that are just crying out to be worn against tanned skin and over soft linen shirts.
Summer holiday jewellery
The boho necklace
Channel your inner bohemian with a relaxed, carefree vibe. Think eyes, coins, and celestial motifs—like suns and moons—usually in gold or brass. Here, the beauty is in the imperfection: rather than a polished finish, we recommend a distinctly handcrafted look, like that of the Positano necklace by Pikaya, which is a beautiful short necklace inspired by rugged coastal landscapes that is perfect for wearing with scooped necklines. For a more everyday style, try The Empreinte necklace by Claire Hibon, a medallion inspired by the designer's travels in South America.
A popular trend for boho necklaces is to mix and match different colours and textures for a playful look. This can include anything from brightly coloured beads or enamel to natural materials like horse hoof or horn. These details can add dimension and interest to any outfit. Try the Horse Hoof necklace by Ethica or the Earth Tones collection by Drawn.
The lariat chain
Perfect with tops that hint at your decolletage, like a ruffly bikini or a strappy dress with a v-neckline. Lariat necklaces inject interest with a long piece of chain, usually completed with a gemstone or other small decoration at the end. In a chunkier style, the Organic chain necklace by NODO is made from recycled sterling silver.
The rough gemstone accessory
Many jewellery designers are embracing natural textures like pearls and semi-precious stones in their work. Some—like Drawn—are turning to more unusual materials, like fossilised coral. These earrings, rings and bracelets are made from coral, jade and agate: the perfect seaside-inspired jewellery for long evenings on the beach. The Miro cuff earring, by Drawn, is made from fossilised coral. Also by Drawn, the Thalia bracelet and Naim ring feature a series of beads in fair trade jade, moss agate, or fossilised coral.
Luxury holiday jewellery
Luxury holiday jewellery styles are all about glamour and sophistication. Whether you're headed to a tropical beach or a cosmopolitan city, the right jewellery can elevate your look.
Oversized statement earrings
Oversized statement earrings are the perfect accessory to add a touch of glamour to your holiday wardrobe. Whether you're lounging by the pool or taking a trip to a nearby town for al fresco dining, statement earrings can elevate any look. From bold hoops to colourful drops, statement earrings come in a range of styles to suit any taste.
One popular trend for oversized statement earrings is to go big and bold with bright colours and playful designs. This can include bright pops of enamel like the Colour Pop drops, rough gemstone beaded rings like these Earth Tones rings, or unusual bold shapes like the Star Amulet drop earrings. These eye-catching summer holiday designs are perfect for adding a pop of colour to your holiday outfits and can be worn with everything from maxi dresses to denim shorts.
For a more understated approach, oversized statement earrings in neutral tones and with subtler details can be just as striking. Think gently embellished gold hoops like The Rope hoop earrings or pearl drop earrings with just enough detail to make a statement—the Luna di Positano pearl drops work well. These styles are versatile and timeless.
Quiet luxury
Quiet luxury jewellery is perfect for those who prefer a more understated approach to their holiday wardrobe. These pieces are characterised by their elegant simplicity and timeless appeal, making them perfect for any occasion. From delicate diamond pendant necklaces to simple stud earrings, quiet luxury jewellery adds a touch of sophistication without overwhelming your look.
One popular trend for holiday-inspired quiet luxury jewellery is to focus on high-quality materials like gold, silver, and precious stones. These materials are durable and timeless, making them great investment pieces that you can wear for years to come. Try a design like the Circinus lariat necklace by Lily Flo for an understated ensemble against a versatile linen shirt. Alternatively look for subtle detailing like organic textures or pearl beading, which can add a touch of interest to these otherwise simple pieces.
Another popular approach to quiet luxury jewellery is to focus on minimalist designs. This can include pieces with clean lines and simple shapes, like a thin bangle bracelet—see the Lyra bangle—or a delicate pendant necklace. These pieces are perfect for layering and can be mixed and matched with other jewellery to create a personalised look that's unique to you. Whether you prefer high-quality materials or minimalist designs, quiet luxury is a versatile and elegant approach to add to your holiday wardrobe.
Beach jewellery
Beach jewellery is all about easy-breezy pieces that complement the laid-back vibe of the seaside. From boho-inspired beaded necklaces to delicate shell earrings, these pieces add a touch of whimsy and fun to any beach outfit and are typically made of lightweight materials.
Natural materials
The most popular trend for beach jewellery is to focus on natural materials like pearls and coral. These materials are a nod to the ocean and create a cohesive look that's perfect for the beach.
Shell-inspired jewellery
Jewellery featuring shell details is most at home by the seaside. Try the Ammonite Shell drop earrings or the Oyster Shell pendant necklace, both by Lunar James.
Colourful jewellery
Another popular approach to beach jewellery is to focus on colourful and playful designs. This can include everything from enamelled signet ring designs to beaded bracelets in fun patterns. These pieces are perfect for adding a pop of colour to your beach outfit and can be mixed and matched.
How to care for jewellery at the beach during your summer holiday
Caring for jewellery at the beach can be a bit of a challenge due to the sand, saltwater, and sunscreen that can damage your pieces. However, with a few simple steps, you can keep your jewellery looking its best during your beach vacation.
Firstly, be sure to apply sunscreen and wait for it to dry completely before putting on any jewellery. This can help prevent sunscreen from building up on the surface of your jewellery, under gemstones, or between chain links and causing damage.
Secondly, remove your jewellery before swimming in the ocean. Saltwater can cause damage to metals and gemstones over time, so it's best to take off your jewellery before taking a dip.
Thirdly, avoid getting sand on your jewellery as sand can scratch metal and gemstones.
Finally, after your day at the beach, rinse your jewellery with clean water to remove any saltwater, sand, or sunscreen that may have accumulated on it. Be sure to dry your jewellery thoroughly before storing it in a safe place.
