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$2,400.00View 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$104.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockB - low stockC - out of stockDE - out of stockFGH - low stockI - low stockJKL - low stockMNOP - low stockR - low stockS - out of stockT - out of stockVW - out of stockY - low stock
MATEOInitial 14-karat gold, quartz and diamond necklace$2,950.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeAB - low stockCDEFGHIJ - low stockK - low stockL - low stockMNOP - low stockRS - 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$360.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockB - low stockC - low stockD - out of stockE - out of stockF - out of stockGH - out of stockI - out of stockJKL - out of stockMN - out of stockO - out of stockP - low stockR - out of stockS - out of stockT - out of stockV - out of stockW - out of stock
ROXANNE ASSOULINAlphabet gold-tone bracelet$95.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockB - out of stockC - out of stockE - out of stockG - out of stockJ - out of stockK - out of stockL - out of stockM - out of stockR - out of stockS - out of stock
PERSÉEInitial 18-karat gold diamond single earring$1,220.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeAB - low stockCD - low stockEF - low stockG - low stockH - low stockIJ - low stockKLMNOP - low stockQRST
STONE AND STRANDLetterpress Initial 14-karat gold necklace
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$700.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - low stockB - low stockCDE - low stockF - low stockG - out of stockH - low stockI - out of stockJ - low stockKLM - low stockNOP - low stockQR - low stockS - low stockTV
FOUNDRAEInitial 18-karat gold diamond single hoop earring$1,300.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - low stockBC - low stockDE - low stockGH - out of stockIJ - out of stockKLM - low stockNPR - out of stockS - out of stockT
SYDNEY EVANInitial 14-karat gold and cord bracelet$385.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockBC - low stockD - low stockEFGHI - low stockJ - low stockKL - low stockM - out of stockN - out of stockO - low stockP - low stockQ - low stockR - low stockS - low stockTV - out of stockW - low stockXY - low stockZ
STONE AND STRANDInitial 14-karat gold pearl bracelet$310.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockB - out of stockC - out of stockD - out of stockE - out of stockF - out of stockG - out of stockHI - out of stockJ - out of stockK - out of stockL - out of stockM - out of stockN - out of stockOP - low stockQ - low stockR - out of stockS - out of stockT - low stockUVW - low stockXYZ
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
JENNIFER MEYERInitial 18-karat gold diamond necklace$2,800.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeABCDEFG - low stockHI - low stockJK - low stockLM - low stockNO - out of stockPQ - low stockRSTUV - low stockWX - low stockY - low stockZ
STONE AND STRANDVarsity Initial 10-karat gold diamond necklace$340.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeA - out of stockBC - out of stockD - low stockE - out of stockF - low stockG - out of stockH - low stockIJ - out of stockK - low stockL - out of stockM - out of stockNOPR - out of stockS - out of stockTU - low stockVW - out of stockXY - out of stockZ - out of stock
ROXANNE ASSOULINInitial Reaction gold-tone necklace$55.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeB - out of stockC - out of stockD - out of stockG - out of stockJ - out of stockS - out of stock
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