The Chicest Jewels To Channel Barbiecore

But what is it about pink that is so polarizing? Few other colors have such devoted naysayers, with “I would never wear pink” uttered with venom by some die-hard fashion types. Today, it is often associated with the saccharine girlishness characterized by dolls and dogs in handbags, yet, historically, pink was either genderless or considered more masculine than feminine (being a shade of red, it was a color associated with blood and passion). Meanwhile, in Indian culture, pink was considered to be representative of hospitality, which is why the city of Jaipur was painted pink in 1876 by its leader, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, to welcome Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. So, forget everything you currently think about pink: it’s no more a symbol of girlishness than any other color, and luxury labels are bringing new life to the hue this summer.

Cue Italian fine-jewelry brand Eéra, which paints an intense, neon-pink PVD coating over its silver chains, hoops and carabiner-like clasps to wear as earrings, necklaces (pearl iterations are pink’s perfect teammate) and ear cuffs. Elsewhere, Larkspur & Hawk has opted for a muted, pastel palette of mixed tones, with mismatched drop earrings featuring cabochon-cut tourmalines in raspberry, blush and orangey-pink, plus a scattering of white diamonds thrown in for good measure.

42 Suns’ lab-grown pink-sapphire ear cuff is just the right side of rebellious to negate any sickly sweet connotations – just stack with more colored cuffs for a rainbow glint on your ear. The brand also boasts a pink-sapphire necklace with a track of emerald-cut stones set in 14k gold – more statement than subtle, and especially cool when teamed with the lab-grown emerald version.

At L’Atelier Nawbar, the ‘Mini Lady Sursock’ earrings, with their Indian-inspired motifs in pink and orange, are perfect for balmy evenings spent sipping cocktails. Meanwhile, Gemella’s ‘Sweetheart’ necklace in pink opal, pink sapphire and diamonds – a chorus line of tiny heart-shaped motifs – is great paired with a white swimsuit or crisp shirt.

For a major statement, Emily P. Wheeler – a self-confessed lover of pink (even her wedding dress was bubble-gum hued) – has created her ‘Bernadette Patchwork’ earrings in a cacophony of materials that scream summer soirée – think pink tourmalines nestled in gold and turquoise, and aquamarine nestled in pink opals.

However, rings are where pink can make its most subtle play. Look to Selim Mouzannar, Sorellina and Alison Lou for perfect inspiration, and get those digits decked out in Barbie’s favorite color.