In honor of this week’s vernal equinox, which marks the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere, we’d like to take a moment to revel in the myriad jewels that symbolize our eternal obsession with the season. From pieces that represent flora and fauna to gems in hues that recall a basket of Easter eggs, the options for putting a little spring (jewelry) in your step have never been more abundant.
Point of View: Designer Spotlight on Azlee
Baylee Ann Zwart discovered her love of jewelry serendipitously. After graduating from college in 2010, she moved to Guatemala to work for a nonprofit that helped local artisans bring their fair-trade accessories and jewelry to market. “They needed someone who spoke enough Spanish, that was willing to live abroad to do photography and product development,” the Santa Monica, Calif.-based designer tells BE. “Weirdly, it was everything I had fallen in love with in college but didn't know how to transition into a career.”
Back to Basics: Love Lockets
A staple of Victorian times, when it was used to contain perfume, powder or even poison, the locket is a style for the ages. Reinvented by contemporary designers to feature brightly colored gems, stripes of enamel, engravings and diamond accents, the locket is the epitome of sentimental jewelry. We dare you to think of another product that carries this much visual appeal and meaning in one sweet and secretive package!
