That’s where the latest releases from Rainbow K come in. Perfect for the fall season, the jewels are inspired, the brand tells JCK, by the punk fashions parading down recent fashion runways—Givenchy, Burberry, Paco Rabanne, Marine Serre.

Pieces with names like Cyborg and Nano Punk bring to mind postapocalyptic, steampunk imagery that’s continued to be relevant as massively popular sci-fi films like Star Wars, Mad Max, and Dune gain new generations of fans. Translated to real life, the fashions feel a bit more like quiet luxury with statement accessories, said accessories giving off rebel vibes without being overly on-the-nose—razor-sharp angles, bullet-shape accents, machine-like details. Rainbow K carefully cultivates a nonconformist tone while maintaining the upscale design the Parisian brand works so well.

“The new collection is influenced by fashion and our infusion of vintage designs inherited from our grandparents,” say the brand’s founders, Kelia Toledano and Kelly Souied. “We mix old styles with new on-trend designs—structural forms, texture, mixed metals with fluid lines—inspired by Parisian architecture, art, objects, and designs from the current times. We design to the whims of the trend cycle to become a worthy investment piece that can be worn every day for any occasion. The collection exudes a sense of rebellious attitude with glam.”

Top: Cyborg earring in 14k yellow and white gold with 0.21 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,880; Rainbow K

Jewelry has the gift of making us feel special: loved, remembered, stylish, fun, rebellious—there’s no end to the feelings and memories a treasured piece can evoke. While an ear cuff might be a romantic gesture (possibly?), it most definitely gives off badass vibes.

Slip on an ear cuff, and you’re almost instantly more confident, this little piece of jewelry offering a new level of cool many other styles cannot provide. Like a well-fitting T-shirt that just works with everything, it’s that rare feels-good, looks-good piece that can affect your whole mood.

And if it seems like the ear cuff has quietly been making its way back into the spotlight, that’s thanks to pieces like these. Designers are bringing their A games where this category is concerned, and here is just a sampling of what’s available.

Top: Le Cercle ombre ear cuff in 18k yellow gold with 1.38 cts. t.w. sapphire and blue topaz, $2,060; Nadine Aysoy

I don’t often think of ruby as a “fun” gemstone. Gorgeous? Of course. Luxurious? Absolutely. But so often it’s such the picture of extravagance (in all the movies that feature forbidden gemstones, aren’t they almost always ruby?) that it’s easy for forget its ability to infuse good design with impressive color.

Such as we have here, with the geometric, organic aesthetic presented by Alishan. Now these are fun—and ruby fits right in! Here, the precious stone does so in a suspended trio of slices, each with natural curves hugged in rich 18k yellow gold.

Equally compelling is the sculptural creation that tops our ruby trifecta, a combination of dual-textured golden box and a diamond enspiraled in gold at the post. Adding to the pair’s charm is the asymmetric way a line of diamonds is set within each golden rectangle: On one ear, the diamonds are set against brushed gold; on the other, they’re in the half of the box shape that’s more highly textured. It’s a clever detail that enhances the earrings’ playfulness, and one that shows careful consideration in design.

While pink is the color of the moment, a nice ruby red is a sophisticated alternative (or complement) to it, and will fare beautifully for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. Jubilant and cheery, these rubies’ color—and their presence in such a memorable design—is everlasting.

Top: Drop earrings in 18k yellow gold with 5.9 cts. t.w. ruby slices and 0.27 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Alishan

On the topic of pining…this latest men’s release from Walters Faith. Have you ever held a piece from Walters Faith in your hand? Pure luxury. We all want jewelry that looks good—and indeed, this does—but when it feels good? Whole new level.

The jewels are weighty, silky, sparkling, and perhaps the most convincing descriptor of all currently: well-made. Walters Faith really speaks to the quiet luxury movement—a concept that you might already be tired of hearing about, but that, despite its recent pop culture fame, has long existed and will continue to cater to discerning shoppers.

The new men’s collection from Walters Faith isn’t flashy or trendy, but it is modern, refined, and sumptuously chic. No matter the wearer’s gender, any piece would feel expensive. And while there are items that run up to $18,500 (the black diamond bangle, above), many are offered in sterling silver, giving customers the opportunity to nab a WF jewel for less than $250, in some cases.

Top: Saxon bracelet in 18k rose gold with 3.26 cts. t.w. black diamonds, $13,950; Walters Faith

Bead bracelets have managed to stay über-relevant for another year, thanks to one very famous blond woman dominating the headlines. It’s not Barbie, though she probably wouldn’t turn up her nose at a good friendship bracelet. It’s Taylor Swift.

For Swift’s attention-grabbing Eras tour, concertgoers are piling on the bead bracelets to trade with fellow Swifties. Taking advice from one of Swift’s song lyrics, the bracelets have become a staple of this year’s tour—even celebrities are getting in on the frenzy, wearing armfuls of homemade bracelets.

Like most things pop culture, this trend doesn’t live in a Taylor Swift vacuum—it has reach. Whether or not someone scored a concert ticket, and even for those who can’t name a single song by Swift, the common bead bracelet might have piqued an interest this summer, because it’s too easy an accessory not to.

And why not layer on a few? They’re colorful, fun, and a breeze to wear—and many can even be customized. Personally I love the idea of mother-daughter ones, and plan on scoring a pair to send my oldest off to kindergarten. She doesn’t really know who Taylor Swift is, but she does appreciate a good jewel with sentimental value.

Here are some of the latest bead bracelets, though you’ll find these versions to be very grown-up and not at all what you’d want to trade away, Swiftie or not!

Top: Belonging bracelet in 18k yellow gold with kunzite, $1,350; Rareté Studios

But a laid-back summer vibe—doesn’t really seem like our pearl, does it?

Which is sort of ironic, given a pearl’s origins. I mean, what evokes more frequent thoughts of summer than the sea? But summer also brings to mind things like sun, sand, and sweat—none of which are beneficial to pearls.

Still, pearl does have the power to surprise, a statement which in itself is no longer surprising given how consistently pearl has demonstrated its incredible versatility and supercool status. Pearl really can—and does—do it all.

That makes this limited-edition treasure from Anne Sisteron no less special. With its coppery sunset hue and the addition of golden fringe, it’s an “It” necklace if there ever was one, perfect for the season.

“I love pearls so much—their shape, and all the different colors they naturally come in,” Sisteron tells JCK. “They tend to say classic with a capital C, and although I adore classic pearls, I wanted to create a more edgy piece—pearls for the girl who wants to stand out. The golden fringe is cool and also happens to layer amazingly well with other gold chains.”

With its dangling chains, the necklace takes on a casual cool that’s ideal for breezy summer fashions and impromptu get-togethers. Yet it could just as easily nestle amid an autumn sweater, the warmth of its golden pearls a beautiful match to the bold, more subdued hues the next season promises to bring. (Could we possibly be thinking of the fall already? But of course!)

Top: Limited-edition fringe necklace in 14k yellow gold with 28 11.5 mm gold freshwater pearls, $5,250; Anne Sisteron

Thankfully, long gone are the days of exclusively utilitarian jewelry travel storage. Now you can keep your necklaces untangled and earrings paired neatly without a less-than-attractive case. Travelers are, in fact, leaning into jewelry cases as an extension of their personal style and an added touch of class to their globetrotting adventures—and jewelry designers and luxury brands have taken note, even creating travel cases to complement their jewels or accessory collections. These cases are not merely storage boxes; they are an expression of one’s personal style and of elegance on the go.

Below, we’ve rounded up five of the finest jewelry cases on the market for the discerning traveler. With a variety of options available, there’s one that fits every traveler’s needs and budget. Some cases are designed to hold a small number of pieces, others can accommodate a larger collection. A case may contain compartments for necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets, or additional features like a mirror or a removable tray. What they all have is secure closure, a soft lining, and undeniably high-quality style. They’re a small investment with a big payout.

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Peridot seems more popular now than ever. While blue and green is the hottest color combination of the year (sorry, Barbie), peridot’s chartreuse shade has grabbed people’s attention noticeably.

It used to be that peridot would divide consumers—it’s not exactly inconspicuous—but as more shoppers are embracing color, it feels perfect for this moment. And if that alone doesn’t have you convinced, the latest collaborations from Fuli Gemstones undoubtedly will.

Collaborating with artists both up-and-coming and established—Joy BC, the French house Tournaire, Stephen Webster, and Annoushka among them—the jewels, which were first introduced to the trade at GemGeneve, utilize gemstones from the Fuli mine.

The collaborations for 2023 are pretty epic examples of how compelling peridot can be, especially in the hands of jewelry artists. personally, I can’t get enough of two offerings in particular.

First, there are these earrings pictured above. I mean, wow. If it’s color you’re looking for, they’ve found it. Designed by Stasia Parker, a freelance illustrator of jewelry, the earrings—and equally colorful accompanying pendant—took the gold for 2D Peridot Jewelry Design at the 2022 Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards.

With a design this good, who could possibly be satisfied leaving it as a two-dimensional version on a page? No one, especially not Fuli’s chief marketing officer Pia Tonna—who had the wonderful pieces brought to life by Vipa Designs, an ethical jewelry manufacturer in Birmingham, England.

The other jewel that has my eyeballs popping is the Medusa comb brooch by artist Joy BC (that’s for Bonfield-Colombara), a goldsmith and sculptor based in the U.K. The piece was designed in dark green bronze, 18k red gold, and platinum, with Fuli peridot. The artist describes her creation on Instagram:

“This metamorphic artwork challenges definition. A mutating comb, a brooch—both a sculpture and a jewel. Combs date back to 5500 B.C. Across cultures and continents, they are recognizable domestic objects, which are inherently connected to self-image and grooming. Combining noble metals, gemstones, and bronze, the work oscillates between various material and categorical perceptions associated to both decorative and fine arts.
The teeth of the comb seem to be moving, swaying like the tendrils of an anemone under the sea. We often talk about nature as if it is something separate from us, but we are nature. Medusa connects the human and the animal. She attracts yet disturbs the viewer—her hair a bed of writhing snakes. Though some may think of her as a monster, she was the only mortal out of her Gorgon siblings.

Her name literally means queen. It was the act of violence, rape, and scorn that changed her. Medusa has been a subject for artists throughout the centuries. This piece is my modern take on Medusa. To me, it is a story of a powerful woman wronged—a story that has been repeated over centuries. But it is also a story of transformation and power.”

You can see more of the collaborations on Fuli Gemstones’ Instagram.

Top: Earrings designed by Stasia Parker and created in collaboration with Vipa Designs, with Fuli peridot and colored gemstones

As varied as the 130-year-old brand’s jewels are, it’s still wild to take in its Praise to the Sea collection, an homage to the ocean and all its wondrous creatures.

The clownfish, for me, is a particularly spellbinding find. Imagine a home (mine) littered with Finding Nemo paraphernalia, the result of two small children completely smitten with Disney-Pixar’s undersea adventure. I am all too familiar with this orange striped likeness, and while I don’t mind Nemo’s presence around the house, I adore a bejeweled clownfish above any animated one.

“Our latest high jewelry collection, Praise to the Sea, draws inspiration from the ocean and its diverse life forms. The clownfish and sea anemone brooch was inspired by these majestic sea creatures and showcase Mikimoto’s unparalleled craftsmanship,” says Yugo Tsukikawa, Mikimoto’s senior vice president of marketing and brand strategy. “The brooch design mimics clownfish darting through sea anemones.”

The anemone is made with feather pearls, oblong gems that could easily be imagined as gracefully swaying under the ocean’s movement. Our little clownfish friends feature nugget opals, which, much like the ocean, appear to contain multitudes of life within.

The collection made its debut at the recent Paris Couture event, where the brand celebrated a major milestone. “Having the opportunity to debut our latest, never-before-seen high jewelry collection at this year’s Paris Haute Couture was a very special moment for us—especially as we’re celebrating 130 years of Mikimoto’s cultured pearls,” says Tsukikawa. “We’ve been working on these designs for the past year, carefully crafting each piece to reflect the beauty and mystique of the ocean in which our pearls are cultivated, and we’re absolutely thrilled with the overwhelming support and feedback we received in Paris.”

Top: Praise to the Sea clownfish and sea anemone brooch in 18k yellow and white gold and black rhodium with natural freshwater pearls, 6.78 cts. t.w. opals, 3.55 cts. t.w. garnets, 3.28 cts. t.w. sapphires, and 1.19 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Mikimoto

If it feels like everyone you know is in Italy, it’s because half of them are. And if they’re not in Italy, they’re probably somewhere along the Mediterranean.

While much of the Mediterranean Sea consists of European coastline, it kisses the western border of Israel, too, and that’s exactly where Orit Elhanati, designer of eponymous Danish brand Elhanati, got the inspiration for his latest collection, Mediterranean Rock.

A rock Elhanati found in Israel’s Sinai desert ignited the idea of a collection inspired by the land of her family. Through jewelry, the rock has been reimagined in varying shapes, an ode to the mountains and cliffs of the Mediterranean region.

Comprising necklaces, earrings, and rings, Mediterranean Rock sees 18k yellow gold beautifully worked into a texture that you might believe could really be found in nature and adorned with gemstones like emerald, sapphire, citrine, and white topaz, as well as diamonds.

Handmade in the brand’s Copenhagen atelier, the jewelry is created using hammering, burning, and dripping techniques, which bear the results we are treated to here.

“Each piece I create is inspired by different places and people. I love using elements that I find from my trips around the world that highlight the relationship between humans and the natural environment,” says Elhanati. “With the Mediterranean Rock collection, there are elements of the sea and the mountains that have been worked into the gold, to give that special texture.”

The collection is available now from the Elhanati website, as well as at Bergdorf Goodman and Andreas Murkudis. Prices start around $1,140 (£870).

Top: Muse earrings in 18k yellow gold with orange sapphires, $1,276; Elhanati