Summer is such a thrilling but also fleeting season, filled with so much nostalgia and carefree memories that can instantly be conjured up again with the right scent, the right light and of course, the right jewelry. Naturally sentimental, jewelry worn or acquired on vacation holds so much meaning, especially since it’s physically carried with you when worn throughout a specific moment in time. While hand-selecting every piece that enters Broken English, there are some very special stones used in jewelry that truly encapsulate the beauty of summer and immediately transport me to sunnier days. For this I’m thinking of super earthy stones in various shades and textures, full of the natural imperfections that make them absolutely perfect to me. Turquoise, Lapis, Opal, Tourmaline and Malachite are so incredibly unique and are truly stunning jewelry additions to any summer wardrobes or vacation packing list. I’m so excited to share what I love most about each of these stones and the designers who truly let them shine in their exceptional works of art.
Turquoise
As the ultimate summer stone, I love seeing turquoise really do its thing in beaded strands or as the star of stunning statement pieces. Reminiscent of the American southwest and the clear waters of the Caribbean, turquoise has the ability to instantly connect us to the natural world. The shades of turquoise can vary from striking blue to deeper, more green shades that are exceptionally interesting. It always looks good when set in yellow gold, white gold or against diamonds, making it a welcome accent piece for any personal jewelry preference. Designers at Broken English who are absolute masters of this stone are Lisa Eisner and Silvia Furmanovich who truly do it justice. Whether the treatment is keeping the stone super rough and rugged or as a polished pop of color, we carry so many remarkable pieces that I firmly believe no jewelry box should be without a touch of turquoise.
Lapis Lazuli
Incredibly rich and eye-catching, Lapis is another essential jolt of color for summertime dressing. It reminds me of Yves Saint Laurent’s obsession with this shade of blue used at his home in Marrakech and I love the idea of matching lapis-colored clothing with the stone for maximum impact. We have incredible pieces that feature this stone from Storrow and Sevan Biçaki, both of which have very different and equally gorgeous interpretations of the beauty lapis holds.
Opal
Opals are such intriguing and also playful gems that pop against sun-kissed skin so beautifully that for me, they are an essential summer stone. So many different colors and textures jump out of opals in such a unique way that they beg to be worn outdoors in movement and in rapidly changing light. I love WWAKE’s delicate opal designs to be layered with some of my everyday essentials or Loriann Stevenson’s opal statement cocktail rings for evenings out.
Tourmaline
These transparent stones offered in a wide range of hues have such a delicious quality about them that they immediately remind me of refreshing summer cocktails and of course, watermelon tourmalines need no further explanation. In pink, green or soft blues, these candy-like gems catch the light in various cuts and facets that can be worn casually to the pool or to a formal summer celebration just as easily. I’m loving the tourmaline pieces from Vram and Yi Collection that are all so different but all incredibly exciting.
Malachite
Malachite’s rich hue brings to mind the peak greenery of early summer, where gardens are lush and full and light peeks through the trees at the start of golden hour. The identifiable swirls you see Malachite are truly unique to the property of the stone which is spiritually considered a “stone of transformation”, perfectly appropriate for summertime. I love Jenna Blake’s and Annette Ferdinansen’s carved malachite creations for a delightful pop of green against my favorite gold staples.
