Ruth Chapman, co-founder of MatchesFashion
“I treasure my rings by Alexandra Jefford. Big, chunky jewellery designs are better on me, and Alexandra – who’s more like a sculptor – has made me three, as well as resetting my engagement ring. It was very traditional, in gold, with a high solitaire diamond setting; now it has a modern, industrial feel to it – a ridged, rhodium-plated platform sits alongside the stone, which seems to float on its own.” alexandrajefford.com.
Dominique Lévy, art adviser and dealer
“I bought a 24ct-gold bangle by jeweller Aurora Lopez Mejia for someone special. Her bracelets are very personal, made up of significant numbers and letters, which make her pieces one of a kind and very meaningful.” auroralopezmejia.com.
Dyala Nusseibeh, director of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair
“My husband Charles proposed by the sea in Cornwall and I picked up a little black pebble as a memento. He suggested I design a ring around it with a friend of his, jeweller Ming Lampson, who is a genius in understanding her clients. She encased the pebble in gold and added removable bands of emeralds representing grass, sapphires for the sky and diamonds for clouds. People often remark that I could do some serious damage with it.” mingjewellery.com.
Olivia von Halle, nightwear designer
“I wear my Jessica McCormack ring every day. My husband Hugo gave me it for my 30th birthday – it’s inspired by the New York skyline.” jessicamccormack.com.
Almine Rech, art dealer
“The first piece of jewellery my husband gave me was a platinum ring by the late Parisian jeweller Alexandre Reza, with a horizontal diamond that lies flush with the whole band. I also love the jeweller Delfina Delettrez, as she is so different. Her work is connected to a surrealist vocabulary, and has a feminine sense of humour. It’s not about being expensive; it’s something you can wear every day.” alexandrereza.com. delfinadelettrez.com.
Victoire de Taillac-Touhami, co-founder of Buly 1803
“My sister Marie-Hélène de Taillac is a jeweller, so I have a huge jewellery collection – especially earrings. My current favourites are a pair of milky quartz squirrels balancing on big gold hoops and eating pearl “nuts”. They’re quite heavy, extremely decorative and have travelled to Japan and Korea with me.” mariehelenedetaillac.com.
Ben Evans, director of the London Design Festival
“My wife Amanda [Levete] and I commissioned Dinny Hall to design a matching pair of wedding rings in Welsh gold and red glass. Mine is engraved with “A to B” in microscopic letters, while Amanda’s says “B to A”. dinnyhall.com.
Gabriela Hearst, fashion designer
“My most beloved accessory is a beautiful, heavy gold chain made for me by JAR to put my charms on. My mother had five of them made from old gold coins melted down by a local jeweller in Uruguay (she believes this gives a better energy); one is from my best friend; and there’s my grandmother’s medallion and a spherical locket with six pictures of my family. It makes me feel protected.” By referral, 7 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris (+331-4296 3366).
Christina Zeller, artistic director of Delvaux
“I have a unique ring in bronze and pearls, designed by artist Nathalie Dmitrovic, which I love. My husband found it at the Ibu Gallery in Paris.” ibugallery.fr. nathaliedmitrovic.com.
Mary McCartney, photographer
“I love my gold necklace with various pendants, all from different jewellers. One is a gold letter M by Ben Day that my husband gave me; another is by Annoushka with an inscription of all my children’s names in their handwriting; and the third is a maple-leaf charm by Annina Vogel that my eldest son Arthur gave me years ago.” anninavogel.co.uk. annoushka.com. benday.co.uk.
