Why Initial Jewelry Will Always Be In Style
The fine-jewelry pieces we wear every day will always feel personal, but one that heroes a letter is the ultimate in self-expression. CHARLIE BOYD rounds up the best alphabet designs to add to your everyday jewelry wardrobe
Many of us will remember choosing a piece of jewelry bearing a namesake letter during our childhood – perhaps your own initials or those of a best friend. When you think about it, it is unsurprising that the popularity of jewelry bearing a special monogram continues long into adulthood. It’s a simple way to personalize a precious piece and offers the chance to carry a symbolic emblem of ourselves or a loved one, yet often with a degree of privacy and secrecy – it’s a tantalizing mix.
ANITA KOInitial 18-karat rose gold diamond necklace
FOUNDRAEHeart Pave Initial Petite Baguette Fob 18-karat gold diamond single earring$2,616.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockBCD - out of stockEF - out of stockG - out of stockH - out of stockI - out of stockJ - out of stockKLM - out of stockNO - out of stockPQR - out of stockT - out of stockUV - out of stockWXYZ
STONE AND STRAND10-karat gold single earring$94.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockB - low stockC - out of stockD - low stockEFGHIJ - low stockK - out of stockLMNOPQRS - out of stockTUVWXY - low stockZ - low stock
MATEOInitial 14-karat gold, quartz and diamond necklace$3,216.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeAB - low stockC - low stockD - low stockE - low stockF - low stockGH - low stockIJK - low stockL - low stockMN - low stockO - low stockPR - low stockS - low stockTX - low stock
“Even though alphabet jewels can be quite universal pieces, they hold highly individual meaning to the person wearing them, as they can symbolize their sense of self, or their loved ones, or honor precious memories,” says Sophie McMillan, fine-jewelry buyer at NET-A-PORTER. “Letter charms are an easy way to customize a necklace or bracelet – you can add as many letters as you wish and they make such a thoughtful gift; they really give added meaning to a beautiful piece of jewelry,” she explains.
A-list tastemakers have heartily championed initial jewels in recent years. Hailey Bieber broke the internet when she was spotted wearing a sleek red mini dress and a single ‘B’ pendant last summer, but it seems that Emily Ratajowski may have eclipsed that moment, recently posting a shot on Instagram stories of her wearing an Alison Lou ‘E’ pendant on a crimson cord, bottle of wine under arm and seemingly about to head out on the town – the silver oversized bubble-writing perfectly capturing the carefree spirit of the moment.
STONE AND STRANDInitial 10-karat gold, pearl and diamond necklace$371.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - low stockBC - out of stockD - low stockEFG - low stockHI - low stockJ - out of stockK - out of stockL - out of stockM - out of stockN - out of stockO - low stockPQ - low stockR - low stockS - out of stockT - low stockU - low stockVWX - low stockY - out of stockZ - out of stock
ROXANNE ASSOULINAlphabet gold-tone bracelet$104.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockBC - out of stockDEFGHJ - out of stockK - out of stockL - out of stockM - out of stockNPRS - out of stockTV
PERSÉEInitial 18-karat gold diamond single earring$1,330.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - low stockB - low stockC - low stockD - low stockE - low stockF - low stockG - low stockH - low stockIJ - low stockK - low stockLM - low stockNOP - low stockQRST - low stock
STONE AND STRANDLetterpress Initial 14-karat gold necklace$248.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockB - out of stockC - out of stockD - out of stockE - out of stockF - out of stockG - out of stockH - out of stockI - out of stockJ - out of stockK - out of stockL - out of stockM - out of stockN - out of stockO - low stockP - out of stockR - out of stockS - out of stockT - out of stockUV - out of stockW - out of stockX - out of stockY - out of stockZ - out of stock
Celebrities have also relied on initial jewelry to surreptitiously announce a relationship, or cement it – scribing a loved one’s initials in gold and cold, hard diamonds is one step shy (and perhaps more sensible) than a tattoo, and so it’s unsurprising that some of Hollywood’s biggest names are often spotted wearing matching monogrammed pieces, such as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, who famously wear matching bracelets adorned with ‘T & T’.
There are plenty of male tastemakers proving that initial jewels are trending in menswear, too; Baz Lurhmann was spotted wearing a Marie Lichtenberg ‘B’ letter necklace to the Paris 2024 Olympics prelude in August, while Ryan Gosling has also been known to wear an ‘E’ necklace, referencing his wife, Eva Mendes. This makes them all the easier to pass down the generations, too – sons and daughters alike will delight in receiving precious pieces that symbolize their parents.
MATEOInitial 14-karat gold diamond necklace$763.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeAB - low stockCDE - low stockFG - out of stockH - low stockI - out of stockJKLM - low stockN - low stockO - low stockP - low stockQR - low stockS - low stockT - low stockV
FOUNDRAEInitial 18-karat gold diamond single hoop earring$1,417.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeABCDE - low stockGH - out of stockIJ - out of stockK - out of stockLM - low stockPR - out of stockS - out of stockT
SYDNEY EVANInitial 14-karat gold and cord bracelet$420.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockBCDEF - low stockG - low stockH - low stockIJKLM - out of stockN - out of stockOPQ - low stockR - low stockS - out of stockT - low stockV - out of stockW - low stockXY - low stockZ
STONE AND STRANDInitial 10-karat gold diamond necklace$399.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockBC - out of stockD - out of stockE - out of stockFGH - out of stockI - out of stockJ - out of stockK - out of stockL - out of stockM - out of stockN - out of stockO - low stockPR - low stockS - out of stockT - out of stockU - low stockV - out of stockZ
If you’re looking to invest in a piece of initial jewelry, then the most important thing to remember is that no initial jewel is quite like the other. Whether a variation in metal tone, calligraphy, font, scale or gemstone color, there are limitless options that are as unique as the individual they represent; it’s just a case of finding the style that speaks to you. Sydney Evan’s italic-script diamond pendants seem to sweep in streams across the décolletage and can be attached to chains you already own, while Mateo’s block-letter pendants feel more graphic – the perfect choice for those with a jewelry box full of modern and minimalist jewels. Foundrae’s chic single earrings are even more utilitarian in feel and will suit a piercing pro – a grooved hoop bears a miniature diamond-set monogram and will slot into a series of studs, huggies and hoops.
Those looking for a classic and timeless take on the initial pendant should look to Stone and Strand – its oval diamond halo pendants feature a yellow gold letter at their heart and will suit your daughter as much as your grandma. Jennifer Meyer’s 18-karat gold letter pendant features a similar disc-shaped silhouette, and will effortlessly slip into a slew of chains and charms. Meanwhile, Gigi Clozeau, admired for its whisker-fine chains that can be layered with abandon, offers an ultra-delicate design with tiny white beads that make it the perfect gift for a bride wanting to acknowledge someone special on her wedding day. Whichever you choose, and whatever the reason, just make sure it means something, and says something, to you.
SYDNEY EVANInitial 14-karat gold diamond necklace$2,976.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeAB - low stockC - low stockD - low stockE - low stockF - low stockG - low stockHIJ - low stockK - low stockLMNO - out of stockPQR - low stockS - low stockT - low stockUVW - low stockY
JENNIFER MEYERInitial 18-karat gold diamond necklace$3,050.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeABC - low stockDEF - low stockG - low stockHI - low stockJKL - low stockM - low stockNO - out of stockPQ - low stockRS - low stockTU - low stockV - low stockW - out of stockXY - low stock
STONE AND STRANDVarsity Initial 10-karat gold diamond necklace$314.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockB - low stockC - out of stockD - low stockEF - low stockG - low stockHIJ - out of stockK - out of stockL - out of stockM - out of stockN - low stockOP - out of stockQR - out of stockS - out of stockT - low stockUV - out of stockW - low stockX - out of stockYZ
ROXANNE ASSOULINInitial Reaction gold-tone necklace$60.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockB - out of stockC - out of stockD - out of stockE - out of stockF - out of stockG - out of stockH - out of stockI - out of stockJ - out of stockK - out of stockL - out of stockM - out of stockN - out of stockOP - out of stockR - out of stockS - out of stockT - out of stockV - out of stockW - low stock
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