It goes without saying that we, as women, are avid fans of jewelry. From dainty earrings to intricate necklaces and staple bracelets, we can never have enough.
But did you know that up until the 1860’s the business and jewelry manufacture were all run by men? There were little to no female designers given the recognition they deserved.
That changes today.
In light of Women’s History Month, we’re here to pay homage to the iconic women of the jewelry industry who not only paved the way for other female jewelry designers, but proved time and time again that women excel in anything they put their minds to with class and grace.
Charlotte Isabella Newman
She is the first important female studio jeweler according to Jewelry historians. Charlotte Isabella Newman or “Mrs. N” paved the way for women who paved the way.
Charlotte had a talent for producing exquisite jewel styles from Byzantine to Renaissance revival. She also employed female designers and workers for her own shop on Savile Row.
Her trademark signature “Mrs. N” was her subtle way of letting people know that their designer piece was created by a woman.
Jeanne Toussaint
Do you have a Cartier piece in your collection? If you have, chances are Jeanne Toussaint had a direct impact on that design.
Jeanne was the director for Cartier in 1933 after Louis Cartier’s passing.
She designed timeless classics inspired by animals and plants while the rest of the jewelry industry was flocked with rigid and geometric pieces.
Jeanne was the driving force behind the legendary Panthere collection which the Duchess of Windsor was an avid fan of.
Paloma Picasso
You may know her as Pablo Picasso’s daughter, but Paloma made a name for herself outside of her dad’s legacy.
She designed pieces for Yves Saint Laurent and released an exclusive collection for Tiffany & Co in 1980.
Paloma’s pieces have a feminine “pop” that resembles her love for red lipsticks, and bold, refreshing, modern designs inspired by artists like Andy Warhol.
Suzanne Belperron
Suzanne Belperron is undeniably one of the greatest artists in jewelry design. She refused to release any of her pieces not under her name after she left the House of Rene Boivin in 1933.
Suzanne’s style was a mix of precious stones, wood, and rock crystals. Her bold, sculptural, and innovative designs built her reputation as an iconic jewelry designer.
In the early 20th century Paris, she was one of the few women in charge of a jewelry workshop—strongly influencing the female drive to discover their own creative style with elegance and good taste.
They are just some of the women who pushed the boundaries of jewelry design and greatly impacted the industry.
As women, we’ve come a long way to create equal opportunities for women all over the world—and it only gets better from here.
Together, let’s celebrate the iconic women who broke the barrier and made it possible for us to be jewelry designers, too.
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