A month ago I came across this post on the r/jewelry reddit, that’s been sticky in my brain ever since. It was a picture of a pendant necklace — a gold sardine can full of little diamond-eyed fishes.
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The poster wrote: “The story I was given by my mother is that the family had just recently moved from Pennsylvania back to LA (where my mother was born and mostly raised) and my grandmother was feeling cramped, like a sardine in a can. So being the quite unique person that she was, she commissioned this 14k and diamond sardine pendant. Because why not? She passed several months ago and my mom didn’t know what to do with this and I said, give it to me, I’ll wear it. I think it’s fantastically weird.”
Fantastically weird indeed. So much so, that I couldn’t get this freaky little necklace out of my head. It’s not necessarily in my budget to commission custom jewelry on a whim, but hey a girl can dream (and set a new saving goal in my little budgeting app). Quiet luxury is still the rage in fashion right now, which I get — I try to shop thoughtfully, I want an investment to pay off in cost per wear — simple pieces make a lot of sense.
But, simplicity isn’t always the key to longevity, especially when it comes to jewelry. When I scroll through Instagram and so many of the inspo accounts in my feed feel entirely interchangeable, down to the same VSCO filter and SOHO backdrop, it’s a reminder that when trends are dictated by an algorithm, it’s always going to bend towards the most common denominator, what can lure in the most people, but ultimately lacks gumption.
I want Grey Gardens! I want Carrie Bradshaw (I’m sorry, don’t hate me). Sure I wouldn’t mind wearing/buying/inheriting a tennis bracelet, but I’d be so much more excited to wear a golden sardine can — I mean… come on!
It’s ultimately a special sauce that combines quality and quirkiness that makes for great heirloom jewelry. It needs to be built to last, but it’s also the funky pieces that have the power to make you think of someone special when you wear it. I recently wore a piece of my aunt’s jewelry to her memorial service, and when my sister and I were going through her little boxes, it was pieces like the ladybug bracelet and Art Nouveau pendant that I gravitated towards most because it felt like I was wearing a memory of her.
I asked a few fashionable friends to share their own coveted heirlooms, too!
Alexis Badiyi’s Gift From A Grandmother
“My grandmother excitingly gave me her bracelet to wear for the opening of the ballet in New York. She encouraged me to see and experience art as much as possible, and to always dress for the occasion. I love wearing this with a beautiful simple long black dress and no other accessories, to really let this piece be the drama. Once I laced a ribbon through the ends and wore it as a choker which was quite regal and fun.”
Jalil Johnson’s Future Heirlooms
“While not yet heirlooms, these pieces may well become cherished family treasures! The brooch, I got from Jeweldiva for my college graduation, I chose it to complement my SS99 Versace dress that’s adorned with an orchid print that is floating in this rather clinical blueish-green background. I wanted to go for a whole “siren-esque” look for my Zoom graduation. Even though no one would see the look, at least I knew I was wearing a fab brooch and Versayce (i hope that line makes you proud Elizabeth Berkeley!)
As for the [Lemaire] Castanet, all credit for its discovery goes to Tommy Ton, a true shopping connoisseur! Upon his recommendation, I swiftly acquired it, and fortunately so, as it quickly sold out once it was marked down!”
Harling Ross Anton’s Family Tradition
“This necklace is the most sentimental piece in my jewelry collection. Every woman in my immediate family (so my mom, my two sisters, and me) has her own unique vintage fish pendant attached to a Victorian watch chain, along with a handful of other charms we’ve each collected.”
Short of custom designing jewelry of my own, I wanted to share some of the pieces that I’ve tucked away for future opportunities when I feel like justifying a big jewelry purchase — perhaps my own future heirlooms.
Foundrae
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I wear the necklace version of this bracelet every day, and generally I’m smitten with Foundrae’s luxury take on charm jewelry. In January I walked into the Tribeca store after a coffee meeting in the neighborhood and ran into Beth, the brand’s founder. She was chatting with a number of very fancy older ladies who had trays laid out full of chunky diamond charms and chains.
Ben
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I recently was intro’d to Ben via publicist Sara Larson (hi Sara!). The brand makes a handful of vaults, locket-like pendants that can be opened — each has a secret message inside, kind of like a good luck charm tucked away just for you. Every necklace is made of recycled 14k gold
Blooming Dreamer
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A more affordable take on the quirky heirloom (and fitting the fish theme) is this beaded style from Blooming Dreamer. I’d generally describe the brand’s vibe as vacation jewelry, colorful, lots of beading, and perhaps what you’d see on a very tan old lady somewhere on the coast of Greece, sitting in some alleyway with a glass of wine.
Jenna Katz
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Instead of funny animal videos, my Instagram discover algorithm is constantly pushing me engagement ring content (lol), but that’s where I first discovered Jenna Katz’ jewelry. She’s based in L.A. and uses a lot of 22 karat gold (my favorite gold because of its buttery yellow color!) and unusual designs. Particularly cute if you want something custom are her hand-engraved coins ($4650) which can feature a saying or drawing of your own whims!
Hernán Herdez
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Another Insta find, all of Hernán Herdez’s pieces are made in NYC and have a slightly more youthful quirkiness to me — like the fancy rings Gen Z would splurge on to celebrate their first year with a full-time job. I love the zingy color combos and the organic shapes, it’s definitely not jewelry for the timid dresser.
Dezso by Sara Beltran
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I first learned about the brand when I was shepherded into the fashion week car of former Elle editor Sarah Zendejas and Vanity Fair’s Kia Goosby and got to tag along with them on a visit to the brand’s SOHO store. I sipped on a margarita as I perused (dangerous combo). Pieces have a lot of natural details (coral, shells) and feel like pieces I’d want to wear if I was going on a fancy beach vacation to Tahiti or Hawaii.
Lastly, if you made it this far, I know I talk a lot about buying things vintage and second hand and buying weird jewelry is an amazing opportunity to do so. In an earlier Taeste Bud I went to the Manhattan Vintage Fair and came close to buying this weird moon ring. Etsy has some great one-of-a-kind stuff like this poker pendant, this lover’s eye locket, this brooch of a creepy lady, or this spider brooch. May our jewelry be forever freaky!
Freaky Jewelry FTW! Espesh if it’s vintage 🥹 Am super into gigantic vintage brooches as of late, there are some wild pieces out there
I love weird jewelry!! I wrote a really similar essay a few months ago, check it out on my page if you’re interested I’d love to compare notes ❤️