Demure essentials will always be a la mode, but the mood now calls for artful maximalism. And translucent jewels—from sparkling, recycled glass necklaces to shatter-proof acrylic cuffs—provide a striking solution for accessories that pack a punch. With eccentric shapes, durable materials and a streamlined glow, light-refracting gems are also tailor-made for beachside living (we’re partial to hardier iterations made of high-end acrylic).
Few offer better glassy baubles than Marilyn Hellman’s namesake Naples boutique on Fifth Avenue South. For more than a decade, the tastemaker has drawn from exclusive partnerships with European artisans and jewelers to curate her shop with a decidedly Neapolitan sensibility—elegant, laid-back and exuberant all at once. Within her jewelry vitrines, Marilyn stocks a generous inventory of clear jewels made of a luxe, cast acrylic, offering sturdy, shimmery pieces that won’t yellow over time. She taps her international connections for the hard-to-craft bijoux. “Few jewelers are skilled enough to work with [acrylic],” Marilyn says.
While glassy gems are fun and youthful in neon colors, you can take the trend from Y2K nostalgic to today with neutral and metallic shades that are as sophisticated as they are brilliant.
Photography by Christina Bankson