Irene Neuwirth Necklaces: Aquamarine, Emerald and Opal

Irene Neuwirth Necklaces: Aquamarine, Emerald and Opal

Irene Neuwirth necklaces start with the stone, using aquamarine, emerald and opal in 18-karat gold settings. I cover the Los Angeles brand she launched with Tracy Stoll in 2003 and the gems I would wear first.

Color that refuses to whisper

Neuwirth’s first collection was picked up by Barneys, but the lasting idea is simpler: start with the stone and allow the setting to follow. The necklaces here use aquamarine, emerald, opal and other saturated gems to make color feel like the main event rather than a seasonal accent.

Gemstones in close-up

The designer has always worked by instinct, mixing precious and semiprecious materials without too much reverence for convention. Rings and earrings bring that approach closer, where a single morganite or tourmaline can change the expression of an otherwise simple look.

Our honest take

Our honest take: Irene Neuwirth is not the jewelry for someone waiting to become more neutral. Let the color do something to you before you worry about matching it. If you take one thing away, choose the gem you would still notice in a drawer full of diamonds.