New Yorkers are serious about their jewelry, and are taking things to the next level by fishing for their own mussels in order to create custom pearl accessories for under $100. It costs $70 to $80 per mussel – and each one can contain a number of pearls. On weekends we sell around 100 mussels a day and weekdays, 20 mussels a day,’ Chen told The Post. The store provides the mussels in large fish tanks, and once customers have decided which one they want, they can open it up with a shucking knife and dig for their treasured pearls. Their mussels have a variety of different styles inside of them, The Post reported, including baroque and classic. Lori Moran, Sia Rovinska, and @jerica.feasts have all joined in on the fun. Some of them even turn out to be shaped like a butterfly, or hearts. Pearl & the Beast, located in Manhattan’s SoHo area, is the source for these unique accessories, where they allow customers to fish for mussels and turn the pearls into necklaces, bracelets and more. Next, with the clean pearl in hand, customers can choose from a variety of sterling silver accessories to fasten the gems on to, which cost anywhere from $20 to $80, the outlet reported. Once customers have dug around for their pearls, those who work at the shop will clean it off with a special process, which includes a ‘special ingredient’ bath. But Chen gets her mussels from a freshwater pearl farm, who delivers directly to her. One design featured on their social media includes big, silver brooches and even charm necklaces. The store is located at 22 Howard Street. On Instagram, potential customers can also get a taste of what kind of creations are possible- and it seems like the opportunities are endless. It’s popular with influencers, too. The bath removes any bacteria and the mussel coat from the pearl. It’s also the ‘first and only’ pearl mussel shop to have opened in the United States, per the store’s Instagram page. It’s not just one type of pearl they’re shucking, either. Founder Krystal Chen, 23, told The New York Post that oftentimes, other stores would use oysters and replace the pearl with one from a mussel.

Monogram Sterling Silver Jewelry

If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand.

Sterling Silver Signet Rings

The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. So she decided to make her own. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash.

It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold – visit the up coming site backtoglamour.com – vermeil.

Stellar 79 is a British demi-fine jewellery brand created by sisters Natasha and Sheena.

Inspired by a wealth of artisans selling beautiful jewellery on her travels around Asia, Edge of Ember was born. The collection includes base earrings and chains, complemented by a range of interchangeable statement pendants to customise your look. Designs are hand crafted through the process of lost wax casting in her studio, and stone setting takes place nearby in Hatton garden. Founder Sally Louise was inspired by the films of grandparents’ time, from Casablanca to Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia. The sisters draw inspiration from their combined passion for art, fashion, travel, music, and culture across the South Asian diaspora to unify and celebrate cultural heritage and nostalgia with the present day. In 2015, the brand shifted tack as Seymour gave birth to her son, Elvis, and started to document her life as a single mother, entrepreneur and jeweller. Cult of Youth is a London-based silver jewellery brand founded by Kelly Seymour in 2011. The brand started out on a stall at Portobello Market, before being picked up by Urban Outfitters and sold at its stores. Each piece of jewellery is created from start to finish within a small area of North London. Harfi’s mission is to bring affordable, demi-fine jewellery to shoppers, working directly with its artisan partners. Stellar 79 is a British demi-fine jewellery brand created by sisters Natasha and Sheena. These stories of romance, travel and history were the founding concept behind Carousel Jewels: modern jewellery that takes us back. London-based jewellery designer, Deborah Blyth began designing in 2004, whilst living in Italy. Her passion for the arts and love of nature combined to influence her process, which finds beauty in imperfections. A silver letter necklace spelling out MAMA became a bestseller, and this motif has been applied to new styles including rings and lockets. With dual Mauritian-Trinidadian heritage and London roots, the co-founder’s mission is to create inspired, authentic, and expressive jewellery made with a conscience. Deborah is very mindful that the business be as sustainable as possible, and so she uses recycled silver and gold in all of the pieces. The Cult of Youth collection has since expanded to include on-trend, fashionable jewels with a rock ‘n’ roll edge at accessible price points.