Lauren Kessler had just graduated from law school when her elderly grandfather, a jeweler, asked for her help running his business. She had no grand plans to enter the jewelry trade, despite coming from three generations of jewelers; instead, she simply wanted to spend some time with her grandpa. While working alongside her grandfather in his New York City Diamond District office, Lauren Kessler uncovered a hidden passion for jewelry design. When her grandfather passed away, she bought out his business, eager to begin her days as a young woman who could be her own boss. Still, though, something was not quite right. Lauren felt increasing pressure to focus solely on traditional designs featuring what she calls “the big three”: rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. “I can appreciate a perfect emerald like anyone else,” Lauren said, “but that’s not me.” Instead of focusing on the admittedly beautiful, brilliant perfection of a flawless ruby, emerald, or sapphire, Lauren found herself drawn to imperfection. From Lauren Kessler’s singular devotion to color and character to perfect imperfection, Lauren K, the brand, emerged.
Lauren K found its footing in designs that are best described as “unpredictable”. Unwilling to compromise the unique character of the brand’s designs for anything, Lauren K shuns the notion of following a trend. This defiant individuality is at the heart of the brand, which is why Lauren K pieces have such incredible longevity. Trends may come and go with the seasons, but Lauren K looks good forever. With hand-selected gemstones including tanzanite, boulder opal, watermelon tourmaline, lapis, all set in luscious 18k yellow gold, Lauren K jewelry celebrates difference and uniqueness in the most divine way, down to the hand-crafted production process that brings them about. More than this, the very distribution of Lauren K designs preserves the brand’s celebration of individuality, as different designs are distributed to different retailers based on the retailers’ clientele, location, and general aesthetic. Perhaps the greatest thing about Lauren K’s free-spirited aesthetic is the sheer ubiquity of the designs. As Lauren Kessler herself says, “I’m not a $100,000 ring person. I’m not fussy, and I’m not fancy, at all. So I like that my earrings can go to a black-tie event, but they can also be worn easily with jeans and a T-shirt.” Chic enough to wear to a ballgame or a ball, affordable enough to be worn by Linda Evangelista or Linda from HR, and timeless enough to weather the years, jewelry by Lauren K is anything but borin’, kay?
Colored gemstone necklaces by Lauren K
It’s 2022 and the world is three years into a pandemic; at this point, it’s safe to say that we all need a little color in our lives. Instill some vibrancy, vitality, and good vibes into your daily life with colored gemstone necklaces. Standard gold or silver necklaces with white diamonds are gorgeous, but if you really want to stand out from the crowd (metaphorical crowds, of course, because, well, Omicron), a gemstone necklace like the Lauren K Blue Lapis Beaded Necklace should be your weapon of choice. Set in the brand’s signature 18k yellow gold, this gemstone necklace strings beads of deep blue lapis lazuli alongside rich yellow gold accent beads. This is more than just a pretty gemstone combination, too. Lapis lazuli is an ancient stone, with myths dating back to Ancient Egypt and Ancient Sumeria, and was believed by ancient peoples to house the souls of deities. When this ancient stone meets the chic, modern 18k yellow gold setting designed by Lauren K, the union celebrates color, character, and charm across the ages, while also reintroducing a gemstone that has been neglected in jewelry in recent years. All bead, all shade.
If you’re not a bead babe, don’t string your worry out! Lauren K’s collection includes simpler pendant gemstone necklaces like the 18Yg Pave Diamond, Blue Sapphire And Aquamarine Linear Necklace. The delicate 18k yellow gold pinsetta chain is simple and clean, designed to draw your eye to the star of the show: a resplendent linear gemstone pendant. Dangling gracefully from a 20-inch chain, the pavé diamond pendant arranges a handful of multi-shaped blue gemstones—including intense blue sapphires and dappled aquamarines—in a line that tapers gradually to an elegant point.
Colored gemstone earrings by Lauren K