When my grandmother Rosella passed away two years before I was born, she left behind a box of costume jewelry. Though none of it, apart from her diamond engagement ring, would have much resale value, the colorful baubles hold priceless value to my mother and me.
For the nostalgic among us, one of fall’s biggest accessory trends is jewelry inspired by the past—and destined to become future keepsakes. Most closely associated with the Swinging ’60s and the Roaring ’20s, boho style influenced the eclectic, ornate jewelry appearing on fall’s runways, including Bottega Veneta’s kaleidoscopic jewelry sets, the geometric gems at Dries Van Noten, and the fluttering tassels at Gucci and Tory Burch.
Locally, the estate jewelry section of Minneapolis retailer JB Hudson is filled with these kinds of treasures, and St. Louis Park boutique Max’s offers artfully made designs from modern designers that nod to the bohemian trend. Minnesota jewelry designer Stephanie Lake is known for the one-of-a-kind assemblages she meticulously pieces together with elements spanning the past century, such as the necklace at right, made from an antique Hindu deity pendant, mixed 1920s crystal, and Danish scrolling fluted links.
Fall’s bright gemstones, gold and brass accents, and delicate chain tassels come together for pieces that are at once insouciant and exotic—and that I expect will be passed down for generations to come.
Photo by TJ Turner
Clockwise from bottom left: vintage jade bangles, $1,100–$5,100 each @ JB Hudson; Stephanie Lake Design necklace, $755 @ Stephanie Lake Design; Victorian charm bracelet, $13,000 @ JB Hudson; Stephanie Lake Design earrings, $185 @ Stephanie Lake Design; Amali necklace, $1,210 @ Max’s; antique Ching Dynasty jade necklace, $3,500 @ JB Hudson; Amali necklace, $1,080, and Jamie Joseph rings, $2,510–$3,850, all @ Max’s; vintage Aztec earrings, $6,200, vintage tassel earrings and bracelet set, $5,900, all @ JB Hudson; Stephanie Lake Design necklace, $935 @ Stephanie Lake Design; JB Hudson emerald necklace, $8,400 @ JB Hudson; Amali earrings, $1,390 @ Max’s; Ray Griffiths charm bracelet, $3,575 @ Max’s
Photo by TJ Turner
Nearly 150 years after Southwestern Native American tribes began to experiment with silversmithing, the jewelry motifs they pioneered have proven to have a lasting impact on mainstream fashion. Non–Native designers have long taken inspiration from their creativity and incorporated it into their work, such as this stunning, 1975-era necklace decorated with sterling silver squash blossom designs and malachite stones. • $1,995 @ JB Hudson
