My Everyday Jewelry: Rings and Bracelets

Well it took me long enough but I am finally sharing all the details about my everyday jewelry, specifically my rings and bracelets (necklaces to come in a separate post). I’ll be honest I used to really switch it up a lot with my jewelry. But since having Marin I can’t be bothered. Whatever I wear, I don’t want to have to think about it. I don’t want to have to take my jewelry on and off everyday. And I want to be able to wear it showering, washing dishes, working out, etc. Some of these pieces are more recent and others I’ve had for years. I often get asked about ethical and sustainable jewelry brands so I’ve also included some additional favorites below. Would love to hear about any other sustainable and ethical jewelry brand recommendations in the comments if you have them.

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My Everyday Jewelry: Rings and Bracelets

Rings

Vintage Amethyst Ring

My Great Aunt Ann (we called her Aunnie) gave me a vintage amethyst ring for my birthday. It was originally a thank you gift to her from my grandparent’s for watching my Dad and his 6 siblings while they were in Bermuda. It is one of my most special and favorite pieces of jewelry. I still have never seen any setting or gemstone like it.

Le Papier Studio 14k Ring Set

This is a newer ring set that was a gift from the founder of Le Paper Studio, Vana. She has beautiful heirloom quality fine jewelry in 14k gold and sterling silver. I really wanted a pinky ring so I decided on the ring set with the silhouette ring (which can be customized, I used a photo of Marin) and the birthstone ring with Tanzanite for December (for Craig and my birthday). I have a very tiny pinky, size 2.5 and they were able to accommodate that size which can be hard to find. I also love their locket necklaces. Holiday orders need to be placed this week as custom jewelry is a 4-6 week turnaround.

Yearly Co Beaded Ring

I am such a huge fan of Yearly Co (more on my bangles below) and when the brand founder Ann posted this beaded ring on IG I scooped it right up. It’s very lightweight and comfortable. And while it’s not available on the website, she does occasionally share limited sizes of pieces on Instagram.

Vintage Signet Ring

This is another vintage piece I inherited from my Aunt Myra. It was also given to her by my Great Aunt (Aunnie) from her mother (my Great Grandmother), Ann Cecelia Mulligan. It’s a very thick signet ring with the prettiest filigree. I love that the initials ACM all tie into something in my life as well, my middle name Ann, Craig, and Mackay/Marin.

Marin Ring

When I was in the hospital for postpartum hemmorhage I did some retail therapy to take my mind off the fact that I was separate from my two week old newborn. So I wanted to get something special with Marin’s name on it and discovered the JP name ring in my search. It’s perfectly dainty and lightweight on your finger. It’s also 14k gold so you can wear it without worrying about tarnishing.

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Bracelets

Birthstone Milestone

After Marin was born I wanted to get something special that I could wear everyday. I had asked for suggestions on small sustainable jewelry brands and Yearly Co was at the top of the list. So I ended up connecting with the founder Ann over IG. And we chatted about creating something special to commemorate the birth of my first daughter. The story behind the brand is so special and Ann is truly such a wonderful person. The quality of her jewelry is so incredible. The bangles are 24k gold and can stand up to any kind of wear (her sister owns a farm and wears her bangles everyday!). I decided on a milestone bangle which has Marin’s birthstone amethyst and her name also engraved on the top, Marin Rose.

Use code JESSANN2020 for free shipping on a sizing kit. I highly recommend starting with a sizing kit to determine your bangle size, send back your size, and your information will be kept on file for future orders.

Custom Bangle with Diamond

My mom wanted to turn her engagement ring into something that could be passed down to Marin. And I immediately knew I wanted to have Ann make two bangles. My mom’s ring had 5 diamonds, one bigger diamond in the center and two on each side. (The center diamond from my Dad. Two from her great grandmother and two she bought herself). I decided to have one bangle made with four diamonds for my mom. (Three diamonds to represent her kids and one diamond for Marin.) And the second bangle with the single larger diamond for me. In fact, I had them done with the heavyweight bangle. Yearly Co does take on custom projects so definitely reach out if you have something in mind.

Initial Bangles

I wanted to get a bangle for each of my pets and so decided to do the Initial Bangles. One for Nora, one for Fuji and one for Hunter.

Twist Bangle

Craig and I had our 15 year anniversary this summer and I wanted to add something to my stack to celebrate that. And so I decided on the twist bangle. I also really love how it looks with the milestone and initial bangles.

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More Sustainable and Ethical Fine Jewelry

Aurate

This NYC based woman-owned fine jewelry brand is designed and handmade using ethically sourced and sustainably made 14K gold and 18k gold (there is some 14k gold plated as well). I love the infinity heart ring and also their modern take on the signet ring.

Catbird

Catbird always has a special place in my heart because when Craig and I were living in Brooklyn (and broke) he went in there, on his own accord, and bought me a necklace with a small lion on it for my birthday. At the time it was a tiny little storefront in Williamsburg. In fact, their jewelry is made with ethically sourced gold and conflict-free gemstones.

Omi Woods

An ethical and sustainable Black-owned jewelry brand, Omi woods has gorgeous fine jewelry in 10k-24k gold and sterling silver. My favorites are the Cowrie necklace and the ANKH signet ring.

Bario Neal

Bario Neal is a woman-owned feminist jewelry company focused on ethical sourcing and manufacturing. They have also showrooms in Philadelphia and NYC. And come highly recommended by many of the JAK reader community. I also love this keepsake baby bangle and I think it’s going to be a Christmas gift for Marin.

Valerie Madison

Valerie Madison is a Black woman-owned fine jewelry brand dedicated to sustainability and eco-friendly stone sourcing. The brand has gorgeous fine jewelry and also engagement rings. Unfortunately I can’t wear earrings but if I could I love these small hoops.

Vrai

Is a newer fine jewelry brand with sustainably grown diamonds that are Certified Carbon Neutral. They have a lot of gorgeous, minimal designs. I love this diamond signet ring.

Etsy

Etsy can be a treasure trove for vintage jewelry. There’s some really cool signet rings many of which are not engraved so you can personalize on your own. This shop has a lot of really pretty vintage jewelry.

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