Thanks to that, in 1985, the Counts of Paris were able to pocket five million francs by selling the Louvre the sapphire set, which sat along tiaras, necklaces, and diamond earrings that were stolen this Sunday from the famed museum.
“For me, it was much more than stolen jewelry. It’s our history, my history,” wrote Princess Adelaide of Orleans, granddaughter of the aforementioned Countess of Paris, who wore Queen Marie Amélie’s jewelry to important life events. “I grew up with this image,” the princess shared on Instagram alongside of a picture of her grandmother wearing the jewels, “and today this theft makes me feel like I’ve been uprooted.” She concluded, “jewelry has a soul, a life, a story, it’s not just material values…it’s much more!”
In the 19th century, the jewels had already survived the French Revolution of 1848, when their first owner, Marie Amélie de Bourbon-Two Sicilies, queen consort of France, took them with her to her exile from England. In 1864, the then Count of Paris and grandson of Queen Marie Amélie married Maria Isabella of Orleans and the sapphires were passed to the jeweler of this princess, with whom the jewels managed to survive further exile until they finally entered the hands of the last woman to wear them. Before selling them to the Louvre, Isabelle, Countess of Paris by marriage, wore them for many of European royalty’s most grand occasions—such as the great ball held in Athens by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía on the eve of their wedding.
Later today, the Louvre robbery will be addressed by museum director Laurence des Cars, who shall address French lawmakers about the heist and ongoing investigation.
A couple accidentally returned a real wedding ring instead of a cheaper “fake” one to Amazon, leading to a rabbit hole of calls with the company to get their ring back. In a video with over 188,000 views, Hannah (@hannahhuffer7), and Orlando lifestyle content creator set to get married this year, explained how she accidentally returned the wrong item to Amazon.
In her video, she described how she wears a fake engagement ring to work, bringing her actual engagement ring to other events like her Bible studies. When she went to put on her ring before a study one day, she noticed that her actual, incredibly expensive ring wasn’t there. Her fiancé had accidentally returned her real ring to Amazon instead of the fake one that she’d been using for work.
A desperate bid to get the ring back
The couple immediately jumped into action. They called Amazon, but their return service was of little help to them. Amazon’s return line allegedly told the couple that they couldn’t look through any of the boxes given to them, as they’re sealed. The company “didn’t care one bit” about their predicament, ultimately leading them to a Whole Foods parking lot to try and reach out directly.
In Hannah’s video, you can hear her fiancé trying to get the ring back. He says that he returned the ring on that very same day in a relatively calm demeanor.
Commenters offer suggestions
Commenters had a few suggestions on things to do to try and get the engagement ring back. For one, many said that calling Amazon’s return service repeatedly works better than calling once.
“One time I accidentally returned a $3,000 camera lens to Amazon instead of a $10 scale. I called and cried like [five] times. [Two] weeks later it miraculously showed back up at my doorstep. KEEP CALLING,” said one commenter.
“Okay…So I accidentally returned an antique plate to amazon. i called them a few times until I got to someone who would help me. They told me they would return it. It took almost two months, but I did end up getting it back,” added another viewer.
Others suggested that they invest in ring insurance. Hannah clarified that they did have insurance for the ring, but it was sentimental for the couple.
According to a comment that Hannah left on her first video, a Whole Foods manager was able to find and return the ring to them.
She later clarified in a video update how everything transpired. Her fiancé was making 25 Amazon returns, as she had a large Amazon list for her bachelorette party. They weren’t necessarily planning on returning the “fake” engagement ring at that time, but it ended up in their return pile anyway.
Her fiancé thought that she had put her real ring on for work that day, leaving the fake one out. He put it back in its box, leading to it ending up in his car on the way to return.
Many commenters wondered how he wasn’t able to tell the difference between her fake ring and her real ring. Hannah clarified that her future husband’s life “flashed before his eyes” because of the mistake.
When they got to Whole Foods, they didn’t end up making any progress at first. That’s when Liz, the Whole Foods manager, came in. She ended up finding the ring for them and saving the day. She went through 20 boxes worth of goods to find and return the ring.
Viewers mentioned the fact that Hannah and her partner should get Liz a gift card. Hannah agreed.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Hannah. We’ve also reached out to Amazon’s press email for comment.
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As the price of gold surges to record levels amid economic uncertainty, a Durham metalsmith says customers for the jewelry he makes have not turned away.
Ken Weston is the chief goldsmith at Hamilton Hill Jewelry in Durham where he’s worked for the past seven years.
His career, spanning 50 years, started when his dad gave him some tools back home in Long Island.
“I made (hair clips) in the late 60s and sold at the flea markets,” Weston said. “They were very popular. They’re what launched this whole thing.”
His career took many turns — at one point traveling cross-country in a VW van turned into a camper complete with a workbench. Later, he worked in a pawn shop.
Now, in between repairs and customer orders at Hamilton Hill, he also designs his own pieces. Even as the cost of making jewelry rises.
“We have one designer in Brazil that we can’t get stuff from anymore because we have a 50 percent tariff on that stuff. It puts more demand on what I produce because we can’t source that,” Weston said. “Pieces of jewelry get more expensive because of it but people haven’t stopped buying.”
At his workbench on a weekday afternoon Weston worked on one of his more popular designs — a wood-inlaid wedding band from his “Timbers” collection.
He made one of the first pieces for himself 12 years ago, a nod to his father’s career as a fine furniture maker.
“I think there are about 50 of (the rings) out there,” Weston said. “It’s been really successful, people wear them and they wear them for years and years.”
Hamilton Hill owner Sarah Hill says Weston’s creativity and dedication is why she decided to hire him after decades of friendship.
The youngest smith in the shop is Kai Hill — no relation to Sarah Hill. Kai apprenticed under Weston and now runs her own jewelry business alongside the work she does at the shop.
“He’s a brilliant mind, so I’m very lucky to work with him,” Kai Hill said.
As part of her business, Kai uses Instagram to promote her work — a digital showroom of sorts. But she said customers — in the shop or online — are not looking for dupes or AI.
They want the real thing made by real people.
“It could have been a dying art and it’s really having a comeback,” Kai Hill said. “As things get more techy, people always want to see what the opposite of that is as well.”
Neither she nor Weston worry about technology’s impact on the work that they do.
“Handwork is never going to go away,” Weston said.
Ken Weston is turning 80 later this month and said he has no plans to retire.
A “Real Housewives” star and her husband were arrested in Maryland on allegations they lied about a burglary, according to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.Wendy and Edward Osefo were arrested on Thursday, the sheriff said in a statement.Wendy Osefo, 40, was indicted on seven counts of insurance fraud, eight counts of conspiracy insurance fraud, and one count of false statement to a police officer, according to court documents obtained by sister station WBAL-TV 11 News. She has been one of the main cast members of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” since joining the show in 2020.Edward Osefo, 41, was indicted on nine counts of insurance fraud, eight counts of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and one count of false statement to a police officer, the court documents show.Burglary, theft report in 2024 leads to investigationThe sheriff’s office said deputies were called on April 7, 2024, to the couple’s house in Finksburg for a reported burglary and theft.Authorities said the homeowners told deputies that they returned from vacation in Jamaica to find their home broken into and numerous items had been stolen.According to the court document, the couple told a deputy that “they found their bedroom and both closets to be ransacked, and several designer handbags and jewelry had been stolen.”The couple reported approximately 80 items of jewelry, luxury goods, clothing and shoes were stolen, worth a total of more than $200,000, the sheriff’s office said.The court document says the Osefos’ alarm system was activated while the couple was on vacation and that it detected no motion inside the house while they were away.What investigators say happened sinceThe court document says the Osefos filed three insurance claims for the alleged losses suffered while they were away.The sheriff’s office said detectives found that more than $20,000 of the items that were reported stolen were actually returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.The court document states: “Edward Osefo gave recorded statements to two of the insurance companies regarding a list of stolen items he provided. He was asked whether any of the items on the list had been returned, which he denied. He was asked if he had other insurance, but failed to disclose to Homesite and Jewelers that he was also making a claim with Travelers Insurance.”After the burglary was reported, investigators said Wendy Osefo’s Instagram account showed photos of her wearing a diamond anniversary band on her left finger before the burglary.”This ring was reported stolen in the burglary. Then, after the reported burglary, on April 27, 2024, Wendy Osefo is wearing the same ring on her left finger,” the court document states.Court document: Investigators obtain email between coupleThe court documents detail an email the deputies obtained in which Edward Osefo is accused of sending a list of reportedly stolen items to Wendy Osefo.”The email asked if there were ‘additional high-value items we can add to this inventory listing (i.e., Chanel shoes, etc.)? I’m trying to get the total to exceed $423,000, which is our policy maximum,’” the court document states.At the time of their arrests, deputies executed a search and seizure warrant in the house and found at least 15 items that appear to be the same ones claimed stolen during the alleged burglary, according to the court document.The sheriff’s office said evidence was presented to a grand jury on Thursday that led to the couple’s arrests. They were both taken to Carroll County Central Booking, from which they posted bail, which was set at $50,000 each, and were released on Friday.The sheriff’s office has planned a 3 p.m. update that will be streamed on their Facebook page.
A “Real Housewives” star and her husband were arrested in Maryland on allegations they lied about a burglary, according to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
Wendy and Edward Osefo were arrested on Thursday, the sheriff said in a statement.
Wendy Osefo, 40, was indicted on seven counts of insurance fraud, eight counts of conspiracy insurance fraud, and one count of false statement to a police officer, according to court documents obtained by sister station WBAL-TV 11 News. She has been one of the main cast members of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” since joining the show in 2020.
Edward Osefo, 41, was indicted on nine counts of insurance fraud, eight counts of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and one count of false statement to a police officer, the court documents show.
Burglary, theft report in 2024 leads to investigation
The sheriff’s office said deputies were called on April 7, 2024, to the couple’s house in Finksburg for a reported burglary and theft.
Authorities said the homeowners told deputies that they returned from vacation in Jamaica to find their home broken into and numerous items had been stolen.
According to the court document, the couple told a deputy that “they found their bedroom and both closets to be ransacked, and several designer handbags and jewelry had been stolen.”
The couple reported approximately 80 items of jewelry, luxury goods, clothing and shoes were stolen, worth a total of more than $200,000, the sheriff’s office said.
The court document says the Osefos’ alarm system was activated while the couple was on vacation and that it detected no motion inside the house while they were away.
What investigators say happened since
The court document says the Osefos filed three insurance claims for the alleged losses suffered while they were away.
The sheriff’s office said detectives found that more than $20,000 of the items that were reported stolen were actually returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.
The court document states: “Edward Osefo gave recorded statements to two of the insurance companies regarding a list of stolen items he provided. He was asked whether any of the items on the list had been returned, which he denied. He was asked if he had other insurance, but failed to disclose to Homesite and Jewelers that he was also making a claim with Travelers Insurance.”
After the burglary was reported, investigators said Wendy Osefo’s Instagram account showed photos of her wearing a diamond anniversary band on her left finger before the burglary.
“This ring was reported stolen in the burglary. Then, after the reported burglary, on April 27, 2024, Wendy Osefo is wearing the same ring on her left finger,” the court document states.
Court document: Investigators obtain email between couple
The court documents detail an email the deputies obtained in which Edward Osefo is accused of sending a list of reportedly stolen items to Wendy Osefo.
“The email asked if there were ‘additional high-value items we can add to this inventory listing (i.e., Chanel shoes, etc.)? I’m trying to get the total to exceed $423,000, which is our policy maximum,’” the court document states.
At the time of their arrests, deputies executed a search and seizure warrant in the house and found at least 15 items that appear to be the same ones claimed stolen during the alleged burglary, according to the court document.
The sheriff’s office said evidence was presented to a grand jury on Thursday that led to the couple’s arrests. They were both taken to Carroll County Central Booking, from which they posted bail, which was set at $50,000 each, and were released on Friday.
The sheriff’s office has planned a 3 p.m. update that will be streamed on their Facebook page.
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The royal family has welcomed Donald Trump to Windsor Castle for his historic second state visit, with both the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and Queen Camilla opting Wednesday to wear highly poignant brooches for the occasion.
Kate Middleton adorned her monochrome burgundy look with an heirloom brooch featuring Prince of Wales Feathers, in recognition of her title and position within the royal family. The brooch features a diamond-encrusted Prince of Wales Three Feathers emblem encircled with more diamonds, with emeralds and rubies dotted throughout, royal authority The Court Jeweller noted. The brooch has historically been worn by the woman married to the Prince of Wales. On this outing, the Princess chose not to wear the additional single emerald drop that can be added to the piece.
The Princess of Wales adorned her monochrome burgundy look with an heirloom brooch featuring the Prince of Wales Feathers.
WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Prince of Wales Feathers brooch has been worn a number of times by Queen Camilla, including to Cheltenham Ladies’ Day in 2012, despite Camilla never using the title of Princess of Wales on a formal basis. It was also sported by the late Princess Diana, although she preferred to wear it as a pendant on a necklace. It brought sparkle to her ensemble for an outing to the Royal Festival Hall in 1996, and on an outing to the Royal Opera House in 1982 that was recreated in The Crown. The late princess also wore the necklace on a state visit to Austria in 1986.
The brooch also has a fascinating royal history, notes The Royal Watcher. It was given to Queen Alexandra as a gift for her wedding to King Edward VII in March 1863.
Princess Diana on a state visit to Austria in 1986.
American jewelry manufacturing has undergone substantial changes in recent years, with domestic brands placing greater emphasis on transparency, customization, and client service. As of August 2025, several brands have established themselves as leaders in this space, each bringing distinct approaches to design and production. This article looks at six prominent Made-in-USA jewelry brands, their manufacturing […]
A Los Angeles woman (@frostedflakescerealmilk) has gone viral after sharing her fraught experience with Bloomingdale’s. She sent a ring to the company to get it resized, but was shocked by the result.
“Bloomingdale stole three diamonds out of my ring, and I need to know how I’m going to fix this,” she began. She then showed people her wraparound ring and compared it to the original design. On her ring, there were fewer diamonds, and the end was more crooked.
“I bought this ring in a size seven, and I gave it back to Bloomingdale’s, where I bought it from, to be sized to a six and a half,” she explained. “When you size a ring, you’re supposed to take it out of the band, right?” She then noted how the ring in the picture is “super smooth, super even, and there are 12 total diamonds.”
“Tell me why, when they sized my ring instead of taking it from the band, somebody took this bypass,” she complained. “I mean, you can see it is [expletive] up. Three diamonds are missing, so I only have nine, and the rest is so uneven.”
The woman then notes that while Bloomingdale’s asked her to bring her ring in, she was unable to as she had an event that day.
“I am afraid if I wait even one more day to take this in, that there’s going to be a problem,” she added. “But, I mean, this is [expletive] up, right? Like, you saw that I paid so much money for this. Instead of 12 on both sides, one side has nine.”
She continued that this was “theft.”
The video amassed 15,900 views. The woman didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.
In the comments, users shared the woman’s anger. “If they deny it- buy another one and show them the difference,” one suggested. “Oh I’m mad.”
“Wow that is horrible,” another agreed. “Who would do that? They need to give you a new ring. You are not supposed to touch the setting.”
While a third wrote, “I have no idea why they would do that, not saying they didn’t, obviously they did. I just don’t get why? I worked at a private jeweller’s and he had just piles of these tiny diamonds all over the place cuz they aren’t really worth much.”
Meanwhile, a fourth claimed that “jewelers do this more often than you think.”
The woman later updated viewers via TikTok comments, revealing that she had received a refund.
This year, Bloomingdale’s has been the subject of controversy. Back in February, news broke that the store was facing a class-action lawsuit, which alleged that the company had implemented “invasive” technology on its website to extract users’ personal information, and then passed that information over to TikTok. Lawyers from the suit even went as far as saying that Bloomingdale’s had “effectively doxed” these users.
Macy’s didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.
Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Karen Harris was born and raised in South Philadelphia. Following her career in the healthcare industry, she has focused her energy on developing the new ‘African American Market’ at FDR Park.
FDR Park is already well-known for being home to the Southeast Asian Market, among others. Now, on Saturdays, guests can find African American vendors just down the road in Picnic Areas 13 and 14.
The market first opened on June 14, 2025 and will pop up each Saturday through mid-to-late October. They then plan to return in June of 2026.
This pendant necklace is available in every dreamy gemstone color you could want, has over 10,000 five-star ratings, and earned a PS editor’s seal of approval. Even better? It’s under $100, which is a rare find in the world of designer jewelry, and its timeless design makes it the perfect gift for anyone on your list (including yourself). Learn more via our Kendra Scott Elisa Pendant Necklace review.
Editor Quote: “I’ve found that it looks good with everything. I’ve worn it with casual everyday attire like a long-sleeved turtleneck or a T-shirt, and dressier ensembles as well. While I haven’t delved into my jewelry box to explore potential layering options, I’ve been inspired by the various combinations showcased on the Kendra Scott Instagram page.” — Marisa Petrarca, contributing editor, Shopping
In 1971, Elsa Peretti was still three years away from the partnership with Tiffany & Co. that would assure her status as one of the most consequential jewelry designers of the 20th century, but she already had the aplomb of a star. Wearing a tie-dye Halston caftan, perched on an Angelo Donghia chaise longue in her apartment on Irving Place in Manhattan, she explained to a journalist how she came to have it: “You must have a lot of confidence but very little compromise with yourself.”
Peretti, who died three years ago at the age of 80, exhibited both those qualities from an early age. Raised in a palazzo in Rome, she chafed at the expectations of her wealthy, conventional family. At 21, she wrote her father a letter declaring her intention to live independently; in response, he cut her off financially. Undeterred, she taught languages and skiing at her former finishing school to support herself before settling in Barcelona, where she began modeling and fell in with La Gauche Divine, a group of artists and intellectuals who opposed the fascist Franco regime. At the time, said Stefano Palumbo, the general director and a board member of the philanthropic Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, which he helped Peretti to establish in 2000, “Europe was not ready for a woman who decided to be an artist, who decided not to get married, not have a family.” To her family’s dismay, she was just getting warmed up.
Peretti’s modeling agency sent her to New York in 1968, and, despite what were viewed as considerable drawbacks—“When I came here, what they liked was the blonde girl. With big blue eyes and very young. I was very tall, very dark, very skinny.… I was everything too very,” she later remembered—she became a favorite of designers like Halston, Charles James, Issey Miyake, and Giorgio di Sant’Angelo, who loved her lanky frame and cropped, slicked-back hair. But modeling was a means to an end. When a silver bud vase pendant she designed on a whim for one of di Sant’Angelo’s runway shows proved to be an unexpected hit, she knew she had found her true vocation.
At the time, silver had a down-market reputation that made it a risky choice for fine jewelry. Peretti, however, insisted on using it in her collections. She sensed that grand, formal jewels were as passé as girdles and white gloves; in their place, she offered ease. Her earrings and necklaces were meant to be put on and forgotten about, with no sharp points to catch on sweaters or hair, no warnings about not getting wet, and the designer’s blessing to wear them to sleep. Moreover, she wanted women to feel like they could buy her jewelry for themselves instead of waiting to receive it from a man. “I design for the working girl,” she proudly proclaimed. The response was so overwhelming that Peretti single-handedly turned silver into a viable alternative to gold, netting a 1971 Coty Award for jewelry and her own corner at Bloomingdale’s in the process. When she began collaborating with Tiffany, the venerable house had not sold silver jewelry since the Great Depression.
Peretti’s design process was highly personal, but her biomorphic shapes gave her jewelry a rare timelessness that Tiffany’s customers continue to appreciate. “Elsa used to say, ‘Jewelry is not fashion,’ ” said Palumbo. “It does not have to be discharged as soon as something new comes along.” Her Bone Cuff, for example, which was inspired by religious relics she saw as a child and is so true to human anatomy that it must be bought to conform to one wrist or the other, is as relevant today as it was when it was designed. Her Bone Candlesticks, a riff on an X-ray of her own femur, still look modern, as does her Henry Moore–inspired Open Heart pendant. Her Diamonds by the Yard, shimmering chains that, as the name implies, can be bought at various lengths, were rooted in memories of the way her grandmother casually wore her own diamonds. Now, in addition to the long-standing classics, Tiffany is offering special limited editions of some of Peretti’s favorites to mark the 50th anniversary of this fruitful partnership. These include a diamond pavé Amapola brooch, named after the Spanish word for “poppy” and featuring a black silk bloom, and large 18-karat yellow gold High Tide earrings, which ripple like water.
Halston was instrumental in introducing Peretti to Tiffany executives. He and Peretti were close, and the fashion icon was initially delighted by his friend’s success. When he launched his fragrance, he asked Peretti to design the bottle; she obliged with a curvy flacon shaped like a chic gourd. But once her fame began to rival his own, their relationship, always intense—as Peretti liked to point out, they were both Tauruses and took slights seriously—soured. The low point came during an argument in 1978, when Peretti hurled a sable coat Halston had given her in lieu of payment for the bottle design into the fireplace of his townhouse, on East 63rd Street. She had wanted to deepen their connection with more personal conversation, she later explained, while Halston preferred to keep things superficial, a stance she found…unsatisfactory.
Even by the standards of a famously louche era, incinerating sable was impressively bad behavior. And, indeed, Peretti held her own in those years. She palled around with Andy Warhol, Stephen Burrows, Marina Schiano, Berry Berenson, and Joe Eula. She walked the runway at the Battle of Versailles. She vamped in a Playboy Bunny costume on a terrace for her then lover Helmut Newton, a scene that resulted in one of the decade’s most electrifying images. She was who Victor Hugo, Halston’s streetwise boyfriend, turned to when he needed fast cash. When Studio 54 cofounder Steve Rubell had the temerity to call her “honey pie,” she smashed a bottle of vodka in protest. Halston stepped in, and the showdown turned so heated that Warhol noted in his diary that it was enough to make him want to stay home for the rest of his life (as if).
But even while she was living dangerously in Manhattan, Peretti was building a refuge for herself in the abandoned Catalonian village of Sant Martí Vell, which she vowed to make her home after glimpsing it in a photo in 1968. As soon as she earned the money, she bought and renovated two of its decrepit buildings, then two more, until she had put her stamp on the entire village. She created workshops for the artisans who crafted her jewelry, guest quarters, and living spaces for herself. Although she owned far more luxurious residences, Sant Martí became her home base. She spent the final few months of her life there.
When Palumbo first met Peretti, her insistence on art directing her environment was immediately evident. She interviewed him not in an office but at her summer house overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, under a pergola of strawberry grapes. A few days later, the pair traveled to Jordan to attend a summit on environmental conservation. After the conference, Peretti suggested they rent a car and explore the Jordanian desert. As they neared the ruins of the ancient city of Petra, she announced that they needed music. They stopped at a roadside kiosk, where, to the delight of the proprietor, she requested a cassette by the great Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. For the rest of the trip, that was their soundtrack. “Even in the car, she needed to create her own artistic atmosphere, ‘a room of one’s own,’ as Virginia Woolf wrote,” said Palumbo.
Rebecca Dayan, the actor who played her in Netflix’s Halston, thought Peretti deserved her own show. Palumbo has an even bigger idea. Describing Peretti as a jewelry designer, he said, doesn’t begin to encompass her impact. Instead, “she is a protagonist of history. She belongs not to the history of fashion or design but to the history of art.”
A Falls Church, Virginia, jeweler is sleuthing in hopes of confirming whether Taylor Swift was wearing a necklace she tried to gift her — or simply a look-alike — last month.
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A Virginia jeweler’s quest to find out if Taylor Swift wore her necklace
A Falls Church, Virginia, jeweler is sleuthing in hopes of confirming whether Taylor Swift was wearing a necklace she tried to gift her — or simply a look-alike — last month.
“I feel like I’m on cloud nine right now,” Harrison told WTOP.
Harrison has been running the online jeweler Au.RUM DAWN for about a year. In an effort to get the word out about her new business, she reached out to influencers and celebrities, such as Olivia Rodrigo.
“I actually reached out to a good friend of Taylor Swift, who has a following and is an influencer herself, and she happened to respond to my request,” Harrison said. WTOP isn’t naming that celebrity in order to maintain her privacy.
She ended up mailing an order to that celebrity and slipped a necklace and a note for Swift inside the package in late April.
Over direct message on Instagram, Harrison asked the influencer to pass along the gift to Swift on April 26.
WTOP wanted to call Swift up to get an answer to Harrison’s question. Swift’s management firm hasn’t commented whether Harrison’s necklace was worn by the pop star. But that hasn’t stopped Harrison from investigating.
Could it be the one?
The necklaces do appear to have some similarities. Harrison’s design includes a double bail (most necklaces have just one), which impacts how the necklace sits.
“When Taylor Swift is wearing her necklace too, it kind of hangs in the same way,” she said.
The necklace Harrison mailed is meant to be a nod to Swift’s 2017 album, “Reputation.”
A portrait-cut moissanite stone frames the letter “T” — the font mimics the one used for the album’s cover art, she said.
“It looks like a beautiful picture frame with facets on the side,” Harrison said. “Behind that frame is the letter T.”
In photos of Swift, there appears to be a T-shaped reflection in the stone she’s wearing.
Easter eggs
The ordeal has Harrison wondering: Was it accidental? Or is Swift a mastermind?
Swift has been known to wear outfits that hint at what rerecorded album her fans can look forward to next. Harrison speculated that wearing her necklace — if it is the same one — could indicate that Swift is rerecording her sixth studio album, “Reputation,” next.
“She seemed to wear it on that night on the 21st of September, where she was also seen wearing reptile, snakelike boots,” Harrison said. “And she had the curly hair that she had all throughout her ‘Reputation’ era.”
Sleuthing
Harrison has been trying to figure out whether it’s the same necklace.
“I also sent out, like, a snail mail,” she said, sending a letter to the friend who she mailed the jewelry.
She’s also reached out to Swift’s stylist and management.
The Swiftie is not alone in thinking the necklaces look awfully similar. On Instagram, she posted a poll asking whether she was the foolish one or if her necklace could be the one.
Out of more than 100 replies, just three users voted that Harrison was delusional. The rest agreed that it looked to be the same necklace.
“Until there is a clearer photo, I guess one can’t know 100% for sure,” Harrison said. “I’m hoping that she is out and about photographed in it again. That would be best-case scenario.”
If Swift did receive and wear Harrison’s gift, she may have made this fan’s wildest dreams come true.
“I can attribute, like, almost every era of my life with her soundtrack, as well,” Harrison said. “It takes me back to silly high school heartbreaks and feelings of empowerment. … I feel very connected to her in that way, and so I wanted to share that with her.”
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In ushering in the democratization and subsequent casual-ification of tennis necklaces and bracelets, she’s spawned, or at least capitalized on, a new way of buying and wearing jewelry. For proof, just take a look at her personal-style-oriented Substack What I Put On Today, which sees Strachan — who, on a typical day, wears jeans, a T-shirt, a blazer, and a lab-grown stone necklace — as her own brand’s ambassador. “There’s a way to get dressed up in just jewelry,” she says. But while she looks ahead to fall — “I like a Rivière necklace and a crew neck sweater” — it’s currently in the midst of New York August. And as thousands patronize the U.S. Open in their finest tennis white and corresponding accessories, many will don a tennis necklace. Our only question for them: “Is that Dorsey?”
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In the latest batch of reimagined Y2K trends, TikTok has managed to resurrect a peak early ’00s staple: charm jewelry. That’s right — the chunky charm necklaces and metallic charm bracelets that once dominated your accessories drawer are proving to be fashion’s most coveted commodity this fall. And they’re not just here to take over standard jewelry pieces; bag charms are also popping up on the arms of A-listers and style influencers alike, with designer brands like Coach and Kate Spade New York releasing their own novelty pieces.
So, what’s inspired this charmcore craze? For starters, few fashion accessories provide a more failsafe way to turn heads the moment you walk into a room — in part, because of their notoriously loud, jangly design. Charm jewelry also offers a more sustainable route for updating your wardrobe each season; rather than investing in a new work bag or necklace, you can simply reimagine your older pieces with charm accessories that’ll add some welcomed character (and color) to any style.
Much like friendship bracelets, the charmcore trend is all about wearing things that showcase your personality and play up your interests. It’s kitschy, it’s niche, and oftentimes even a little tacky — but that’s what makes it so fun. And if you’re looking to test out the charm jewelry trend for yourself but don’t know where to start, fear not — we’ve got you covered.
From earring charms to charm keychains that you can use to dress up your bags, boots, and more, we’ve rounded up the best charm jewelry to wear this season and beyond. Our top picks come from both charm jewelry brands and larger retailers like Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters. Looking for a specific style? Browse through our categories below.
This is just a small selection of SOKO’s ear candy offerings and it’s a great display of the brand’s variety. There really is something for everyone — from striking thread-through designs (the Bow Earrings, $198), to abstract, fluid lines (the Anga Horizon Drop Earring, $218), and delicate, sculptural pieces inspired by Kenyan wildlife (the Imba Mini Dangle Earrings, $158). Our favorite though is the Amali Huggie Stud Earrings, $198. Simple as they may appear at first, these aren’t your typical hoop earrings; rather, they’re half-moon, horn-inspired studs that cuff the ear.
Simone Biles is the GOAT, and she has a new gold medaland a special diamond accessory to prove it. After winning the individual all-around final for women’s gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics today, Biles—who now has more Olympic medals than any other U.S. gymnast in history—proudly showed off her prize while rocking a goat pendant necklace.
As she posed alongside silver medal winner Rebeca Andrade of Brazil and bronze medal winner Suni Lee from Team USA, the sparkler shimmered against camera flashes. The piece was made custom by Janet Heller Fine Jewelry and features a whopping 546 diamonds. Heller took to Instagram earlier this week to show off the design, writing, “In the realm of gymnastics, few names resonate as profoundly as Simone Biles. As she graces the Paris 2024 Olympics, her journey is not just one of medals and records, but of breaking barriers and redefining the sport. To commemorate her remarkable achievements and undeniable legacy, Simone Biles commissioned these exquisite pieces from Janet Heller Fine Jewelry.”
Heller broke down the details of the pendant, explaining that the “three-dimensional masterpiece embodies [Biles’] unparalleled status in gymnastics.” The gem was “crafted with meticulous precision” and “reflects her dedication, perseverance, and the spirit that has inspired generations,” the jeweler added.
Biles and Lee had us feeling proud to be American when they solidified their top winning spots with strong floor routines. Their victories came after they already won gold during the women’s gymnastics team event on Tuesday, which saw them compete with Team USA’s Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera.
After the big moment, Biles gushed over her team’s win via Instagram with an iconically shady caption. “Lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions ❤️🥇,” Biles wrote, taking aim at former teammate McKayla Skinner, who dissed the team in a since-deleted YouTube video.
“Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t like what it used to be. I just notice, like, I mean, obviously a lot of girls don’t work as hard,” Skinner said. She previously expressed regret over her comments, stating, “It was not my intention to offend or disrespect any of the athletes or take away from their hard work,” on July 6, but it’s clear the damage was already done.
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This post will teach you how to accessorize like a pro.
We’ve all been there. You have imagined the perfect outfit or seen someone wearing something and got inspired to wear something similar. And you have the perfect day to wear it!
Then, you put it on, and something’s not quite right.
You are wearing the exact same items. It’s balanced, it’s proportioned, and the color palette is on point. What could it be?
Probably, it’s all about the accessories.
We spend so much time building our closets, curating the colors, textures, and fits we love. But we might forget that accessories (shoes, bags, jewelry) can make or break an outfit and settle without curating them accordingly.
Accessories are the most useful yet underrated tools in your styling kit, and once you realize this, you can take your outfit to the next level.
It’s simple, but it’s true: a pair of earrings and shoes might be the only thing standing between a casual outfit and an elegant one.
But, What *Are* Accessories?
What can we consider accessories? Shoes, socks and tights, jewelry, bags, belts, hats, watches, and even hair and makeup all count.
This list isn’t a checklist, and you don’t have to include all of these pieces for every outfit. But the ones you do choose to focus on for your look matter a lot.
There are a few accessories that are the most important, just because there’s no way to create a look without them. These are shoes, hair, and makeup.
They’re all visible and frame the entire look (top to bottom).
The rest of the accessories listed above are optional but important if you want to improve your styling game.
How to Accessorize Outfits Like a Pro: Tips, Tricks, & Hacks
Here’s a list of easy tips and tricks to curate your accessories and accessorize your outfits.
Like goes with like. Look at your closet: What are the repeated colors? Do you prefer silver or gold? Are you a more experimental or minimalist dresser? Choose your accessories accordingly so it’s easy to pair them with the clothes you have.
Carry-on. Since we usually carry them between our tops and bottoms, bags, purses, and backpacks can either be an accent color with a neutral background or the one item that brings everything together.
Grounded or elevated. Shoes and socks can also ground a maximalist outfit or elevate a minimalist one.
A little sparkle. Jewelry, however you like it or wear it, instantly makes a look more thoughtful.
Belt it. Belts, just like purses, hit between our tops and bottoms. Belts can draw the eye or trick it with a thoughtful choice of color.
Hair & Makeup. These two can support, contrast, or bring to life any outfit when you consider the color palette, the aesthetic you might be going for, and the type of neckline you’re wearing.
Now that we’ve gone through the basics, let’s get to the outfits!
How to Accessorize Outfits Like a Pro: A Fashion Guide
Before we begin, one note: To really exemplify the power of accessories, I will be using the same base outfit for all the examples below.
It’s a base we all have in our closets (white t-shirt + blue jeans), so it will be easy to see how much the right accessories affect the entire vibe of a look.
Red Lip Classic, Easy – Outfit #1
Let’s start with small but smart tweaks.
I already have my base: the white cotton T-shirt and blue, high-waisted jeans. So, how did I make this into a casual yet thoughtful look?
First, I added gold necklaces, rings, and statement gold earrings.
Then, I wanted a bit of color sprinkled through the look, so I switched the white sneakers for a pair of red Mary Jane flats. To bring more red in, I wore a watch with a gold face and burgundy strap and a burgundy shoulder bag.
For makeup, I created a natural makeup look and made it pop with red lipstick. Finally, I styled my hair in a sleek bun to free my face and let the earrings have their moment.
As you can see, just by adding accessories, the base has become an outfit. If I had let my hair down, it wouldn’t have worked with those earrings and it would make the look more casual than I would’ve wanted. The same if, instead of the flats, I would’ve chosen a pair of red sneakers.
Styling my hair to work with the earrings and the choice of shoes just brings the outfit to a more put-together area.
Casually Cute, Easy – Outfit #2
But what if you *do* want something more casual?
Keeping the t-shirt and jeans, I accessorized from the bottom up. First, I swapped the white sneakers for lilac sneakers with a floral pattern. To match the sneakers, I added lilac socks.
I wanted to have fun with my jewelry, so I wore a pair of lilac heart-shaped earrings with a green floral pattern. Then, I used a lilac ribbon as a choker and a longer silver necklace to layer with it. I switched my usual watch for this colorful floral one.
For my purse, I chose this floral green crossbody bag to bring in the green from the earrings into the rest of the look.
For hair, I wore it up in space buns to, again, give the earrings space to shine. Finally, I created a glittery makeup look with pink lipstick.
You can see that now I’ve created a completely different kind of outfit just by swapping the accessories. It is a more casual look but a fun, cute one too.
As eclectic as it is, this outfit works because the same cartoony florals and color palette are echoed throughout the different accessories.
Shine & Neutrals, Medium – Outfit #3
For this next one, I wanted something both classic and trendy. I kept the T-shirt and jeans, but I needed to choose an accessory to guide the rest. So, I started with a pair of gold loafers.
Then, to add the ‘classic’ part to the look, I combined the gold with brown. To do this, I cinched the waist with a brown belt and added a gold and brown purse.
For jewelry, I wore a pair of drop earrings with natural stones, a bit of brown coloring, and golden metal. I continued with gold rings and necklaces.
Finally, I kept my makeup simple and neutral and tied my hair in a half ponytail to let the earrings have the right framing to be seen.
In general, I think adding metallics is a great way to give a subtle twist to a classic look. Obviously, you can swap any accessory for a subtler or a statement one.
For example, the earrings could be swapped for smaller gold ones if I wanted a more classic look, but I love these ones because they bring a uniqueness to the look and a bit of color with the stones.
Polished Florals, Medium – Outfit #4
Now, for my heels girlies out there. One of my favorite ways to dress up jeans is to pair them with a very feminine pair of heels. Let’s tackle that.
I have my base, but I wanted color and wanted more femininity. The shoes I chose are these gorgeous tangerine floral strap heels. Based on the elements of the heels, I went with a pair of gold drop-earrings with orange flowers.
I swapped my day-to-day watch for a rose-gold chain watch. For the rest of my jewelry, I kept my gold rings and wore a gold necklace with an orange pendant. Then, to bounce the tiny bit of gold from the jewelry, I added a thin gold belt.
For makeup, I used a tiny bit of orange eyeshadow but mostly kept it simple. Since I have drop earrings again, I styled my hair in a sleek bun.
This look is perfect if you have a brunch, date, or meeting and you want to look effortlessly chic. It is grounded by the simplicity of the tee and jeans, but the rest of the items show thoughtfulness even though they are little things.
Statement Accessorizing, Difficult – Outfit #5
Finally, what about making the accessories the focus of the look? That might mean trying a statement necklace or shoes, a cool bag, or even just small, quirky elements working together.
To create my final look, I first put on my hero piece for this outfit: my pink metallic cowboy boots. Then, based on that, I did a pink-based makeup look with pink highlighter and a lot of blush. For hair, I styled it in braids and then put on a pink beret.
To complement the cuteness of the blush, I tied pink ribbons to the braids.
Since the big pieces were the boots and the hair accessories, I kept my jewelry simple. For earrings, I chose gold heart-shaped earrings and echoed the hearts by wearing a gold rose heart-locket necklace.
Finally, I decided I’d use a holographic purse to mirror the shine of the books.
As you can see, accessories can be the protagonist just as much as the actual clothes. It’s all about considering the items together and not as separate entities. Make them work together and bounce off each other.
Especially when you are wearing hats, you really need to be conscious of how you wear your hair and the shape, length, and weight of your earrings if you want to be comfortable.
Final Thoughts
In general, accessorizing can bring your style to a whole new level without adding more layers or having to buy a bunch of new clothes.
Especially during the summer, when you obviously want to wear simpler looks, or in winter, when you’re covering up most of your clothes, accessories can help bring your personality forward.
For example, I’m a very sentimental accessorizer, so most of my everyday jewelry is either inherited from relatives or gifted by people I love. Some of the purses in this post were my grandma’s and she recently gave them to me. Some of the watches were my dad’s, and he gave them to me. My rings were also inherited or gifted, which is why I don’t change them very often.
In general, accessories are so easy to source locally, too! And you can find unique pieces that complement your personality if you just search a little bit.
For instance, my gold statement earrings from the first and third looks are from a local brand called Torca that creates really unique yet elegant pieces. My holographic bag is also from a local brand that focuses on those types of handbags.
These looks exemplify what accessories can do for your look and how much weight they carry.
When you think of how to accessorize or what accessories to get, think of ones that complement your closet: what patterns, colors, and fabrics do you prefer? Accessories can be used to bridge gaps you might have in your closet without splurging on a new item of clothes.
If you have little closet space, accessories are easier to store, so if you’re limited on clothes you can freshen up any outfit combo with key accessories.
Always consider your accessories as part of the big picture and not an afterthought. Have fun with them!
What Do You Think?
Would you wear any of the outfits? What’s your favorite accessory right now? Do you have any styling questions?Let us know in the comments below!
New jewelry is one of the easiest ways to freshen up your summer outfits, celebrate a new season, and try out bold trends. The spring/summer 2024 runways from designers like Schiaparelli and Collina Strada showed off ocean-inspired jewelry, and it has since become a popular look with brands like Jenny Bird (that’s currently offering an R29 reader-exclusive discount!), Jennifer Behr, and Kendra Scott who are all offering statement sea creature, pearl, and shell jewelry this season.
From classic freshwater pearl earrings to kitschy coral wrap bracelets, you can take on the oceanic jewelry trend as subtly or boldly as you’d like. We’ve rounded up the best sea creature and nautical jewelry across necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, and anklets to slip on this summer, and to bring the deep blue seas and sandy beaches wherever you are. Scroll on to shop whimsical ocean-inspired jewelry to elevate your everyday outfits, punctate your special occasion looks, and add to your vacation packing list.
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