Personality Matters: Christmas Jewellery Gifts for Multi-Faceted Women

December 7, 2023

By Katerina Perez

11 min read

As we all know, no two women are the same. Some of us are extroverted, bold, playful and drawn to opulence, while others are introverted, sweet, understated and happiest wearing paired-back creations. We’re celebrating all this diversity in our annual Christmas gift guide and providing pristine product recommendations to suit distinctive personalities. Bookmark this page for your significant other to see, or continue reading to up your game in the gifting department this festive season…

What’s the trick to buying the perfect Christmas jewellery gift? In our opinion, it’s all about matching the signature aesthetic of a jewellery brand to the distinctive personality of the person you are buying for. Below, we’ve matched some of our favourite jewellery artists and international brands with the personality traits they’re most in sync with. Trust us, the presents under your tree are going to be a lot more exciting this year.

A ballet dancer wears jewellery creations by Margot McKinney

Assael – for the sophisticated woman

If your loved one is elegance personified, then the classical sophistication of pearls should be on your radar. Don’t risk falling into the trap of old-fashioned, though! Instead, turn to Assael for contemporary pearl creations that blend modern silhouettes and dynamic shapes with gorgeous South Sea and Akoya treasures. Assael is known for its modern approach to pearl jewellery, whether through creative collaborations with artists like Sean Gilson or by fusing materials like petrified wood, fancy-shaped diamonds, coral and more. A good example of this is its Tahitian cultured pearl earrings with half-moon-shaped diamonds, spotted petrified wood, round pearls, and rose-cut diamonds in platinum. We also recommend the brand’s showstopping pearl cocktail rings, including pieces with Tahitian and South Sea pearls in large sizes, flanked by diamond-set shoulders.

A model wears pearl jewellery by Assael

Assael Tahitian natural coloured cultured pearl earrings with half-moon-shaped diamonds, spotted petrified wood, and rose-cut diamonds in platinum

Assael Riviere necklace with 13 round South Sea pearls and 98 round brilliant-cut diamonds for 24.54 carats, set in 18k white gold and platinum

A trio of Assael jabot pins with South Sea cultured pearls and diamonds, set in platinum

A model wears the Assael Floating Open Bubble necklace with 12 round South Sea cultured pearls and six diamonds weighing 1.33 carats, set in platinum and 18k white gold

Assael conch natural saltwater pearl ring set with a 3.86 carat emerald-cut diamond, set in platinum

Assael Bubble ring with a 7.30 carat diamonds, natural pearls and Japanese Akoya pearls in platinum

Assael New Deco ring with five European-cut diamonds of 2.22 carats and Japanese Akoya pearls, set in platinum

MATHON Paris- for the charming woman

Some women can step into a crowded room and make new friends before the hour ticks by. These charming, charismatic characters need jewellery that can support their outgoing personalities, specifically conversation-starting jewels. Pieces that fit this bill can be found at MATHON Paris – a third-generation family business that prioritises colourful and creative pieces, often crafted in beautifully textured gold and decorated with enamel. The brand’s designs are inspired by natural forms, so they exude femininity despite their size and colour palette. When I interviewed the brand’s president, Aude Mathon, he told me that opals are a favourite because “they represent small universes that change with the light”. If you know someone who is universally popular and full of energy, then these are the jewels for her.

MATHON Paris Reflet de Lune ring with blue lacquer and diamonds in yellow and white gold

MATHON Paris Cycle de la Lune earrings with blue sapphires, diamonds and blue lacquer in yellow gold

MATHON Paris Sequin ring with diamonds and mother of pearl in 18k white gold

MATHON Paris Manhattan necklace with diamonds and tanzanite in 18k white gold

MATHON Paris Florin earrings with malachite, mother of pearl and diamonds in 18k yellow gold

MATHON Paris Marché aux fleurs necklace with spinels, tourmalines and diamonds in 18k white and yellow gold

MATHON Paris Coquelicot earrings with diamonds and rubies in 18k yellow gold

MATHON Paris Cocci necklace with diamonds and emerald in 18k white gold

Faith Jewels – for the adventurous woman

She might not be climbing mountains (although we do have advice for women with an active lifestyle here), but our adventurous woman is extroverted, engaged and interested in the world. She’s a keen traveller, open to new opportunities, and often spontaneous in the way she approaches life. For this woman, you’ll need a special creation with plenty of showstopping pizzaz, ideally one-of-a-kind and infused with a sense of storytelling. Faith Jewels is your perfect source of inspiration, especially its latest Masterpiece Series of unique high jewellery designs inspired by water, fire, wind and air. The Elements series is the latest from Melbourne-based designer Faith Hilda, who uses rare gemstones like Madagascan sapphires, Burmese rubies and Santa Maria blue aquamarines to balance bold personalities. Plus, her pieces contain moving springs, a rotating pin-wheel and other kinetic parts to ‘come alive’ as the wearer moves. Imagine telling a story about a recent travel adventure with such a gem on your finger!

Faith Jewels Fire ring with a central 5.02-carat oval step-cut Burmese pigeon's blood untreated ruby, grey diamonds, white diamonds, rubies, and orange sapphires set in grey titanium

Faith Jewels Rainbow ring with a central 5.02-carat oval-cut indigo sapphire, plus more than 800 rubies, sapphires, and tsavorites, set in rainbow toned titanium

Faith Jewels Fire earrings with cabochon-cut Burmese pigeon's blood red natural rubies, grey diamonds, white diamonds, rubies, and orange sapphires, set in grey titanium

Faith Jewels Wave ring with a 4-carat Asscher-cut Santa Maria blue aquamarine, 459 blue diamonds, 465 white diamonds and 10 royal blue sapphires all set in ombre blue titanium

Faith Jewels Cloud Ring with a 6.88-carat oval-cut Madagascan sapphire, three freeform mother of pearl tablets, claw set on a mechanism providing two directions of movement. 294 round brilliant-cut natural diamonds for a total of 4.36-carats, all set in 18k white gold

Margot McKinney – for an opulent woman

Would the woman in your life describe herself as a maximalist? Perhaps she appreciates sizeable jewellery, bold colours, and interiors with plush velvets, sculptures, artwork and clashing textures. This love of all things opulent and ostentatious needs to be nurtured at every opportunity, and we know just the artist jeweller to turn to: Margot McKinney. The Australian designer’s maximal signature style is one of our favourites here at KaterinaPerez.com, and we always welcome news that fresh designs have been added to her collection. Recently, we were blown away by the Cosmic Girl necklace with 81.27 carats of morganite, diamonds, pink, orange and purple sapphires, amethysts and pink tourmalines. It really exemplifies the brand’s joyful playfulness and its absolute obsession with nature’s colour palette.

Margot McKinney Cosmic Girl necklace with an 81.27-carat morganite, further morganites, mandarin garnets, diamonds, pink, orange and purple sapphires, amethysts and pink tourmalines, set in 18k rose gold

Margot McKinney Athena brushed-finish cuff with a 16.46-carat opal and two kunzites totalling 44.06-carats, set in 18k yellow gold

Margot McKinney Ripple ring with a 34.75-carat Australian boulder opal, surrounded by Paraiba tourmaline, diamonds and blue and orange sapphires, set in gold

Margot McKinney Chandelier earrings with Australian boulder opal drops totalling 21.28-carats, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds

Margot McKinney Diamond Bow enhanced with a strand of South Sea pearls

Margot McKinney Isle earrings with 32.20-carats of Australian boulder opal, multi-coloured gemstones and a pair of Australian South Sea pearl drops

Margot McKinney Nature’s Finest cocktail ring with a 121.45-carat kunzite, diamonds and multi-coloured gemstones in 18k yellow gold

Margot McKinney Lavender Haze earrings with 81.49 carats of kunzite, pink tourmaline, peridot, diamonds, yellow and pink sapphires and Paraiba tourmalines in 18k yellow gold

State Property – for the artistic woman

Some people are born with an artistic streak that is channelled throughout their lives, whether via the medium of art, sculpture, fashion, music, architecture, or some other pursuit. Often, they are thoughtful souls and draw inspiration from considered design, nuanced details and excellent finishing. A brand that encapsulates all these qualities is State Property, hailing from Singapore. Its new Edessa collection calls upon Byzantine architecture for understated yet covetable earrings, tennis bracelets and rings, while its broader collections have hints of Art Deco for timeless style. Some of our favourite pieces are the new Edessa bracelet with half-moon-shaped diamonds and its iconic selection of signet-style rings with emeralds, diamonds, jet-black enamel and mother of pearl in 18k yellow gold. If you are shopping for a woman who appreciates contemporary and wearable designs, State Property has ready-to-wear pieces that will make Christmas sparkle.

State Property Arcane Edessa Epaulette bangle in gold, enamel, green gemstones and diamond

Model wearing State Property Edessa rings and earrings in gold, white gold and diamond

State Property Arcane Edessa bracelets in gold and diamond

Katerina Perez wears the Drew Pavé Drape ring and the Reis Jet Black ring by State Property

Katerina Perez wears a selection of malachite, emerald, yellow gold and black enamel ring designs by State Property

Austy Lee – for the extravagant woman

Larger-than-life characters are few and far between. We are talking about the genuine eccentrics, the passionate obsessives, the women who march to the beat of their own drums and do so with a smile! The extravagant woman is exuberant and not afraid to stand out from the crowd, whether for a feathered hat, an enormous brooch, or a striking make-up look. She’s confidence personified! There’s only one artist jeweller who can match this energy, and that’s Austy Lee. The Hong Kong-born designer specialises in “psychedelic art” and blends hypnotising metallics, religious iconography, mythology and natural forms into jewellery that is out of this world. In a recent article, we shared some of his stand-out pieces, including ‘The Butterflies’ Geometry’ earrings in 18K rose gold with Burmese green jades, red enamel and diamonds. Plus, he told us about a new series – The Sandādoragonbōru brooches – that embody the element of fire. We can’t think of a better way to be the centre of attention than with a piece of Austy Lee artistry.

Austy Lee ‘The White Lotus in Vase Brooch’ in 18K yellow gold with Burmese white and green jades and diamonds

Austy Lee ‘The Butterflies' Geometry Earrings’ in 18K rose gold with Burmese green jades, red enamel and diamonds

Austy Lee ‘The Sandādoragonbōru brooches’ in 18K rose gold with Tahitian pearl, red and blue enamel, mother of pearl, onyx, abalone shell and diamonds

Austy Lee 'The Partisan of Venus Necklace' in 18K rose gold with Caribbean conch pearls, Akoya pearls, Colombian emerald and diamonds

Al Zain – for the dignified woman

Polite, purposeful and poised are just some of the adjectives that might describe our dignified woman, who is always the epitome of class. Of course, that’s not to say she’s uptight! This type of lady is put-together, elegant, chic and able to engage in conversation, whether about last night’s rain, the latest Hollywood blockbuster or a global political issue. To complement this type of woman, we can recommend Bahraini heritage brand Al Zain and its latest Jena collection of high jewellery designs. This family-run company exudes traditional values and craft expertise while also producing refined modern heirlooms, such as gemstone Riviere necklaces and sautoir chains. Its cuff bracelets, earrings and pendants will suit the woman who thinks long term, not only about her own enjoyment of a piece but that of her children and grandchildren.

Al Zain Rayyana transformable bracelet and choker with 12.85 carats of citrine, 13.55 carats of mother of pearl and 3.74 carats of diamonds in 18k yellow gold, from the Jena High Jewellery collection

Al Zain matching sets from the Jena High Jewellery collection, including the Zara necklace and earrings (left) and the Ni’Mah earrings and necklace, both in 18k yellow gold

A model wears necklaces from the Jena High Jewellery collection by Al Zain

Have you pinpointed your loved one in this mix? Now’s the time to explore these brands and seek out a beautiful ready-to-wear or one-of-a-kind creation that she’ll unwrap on Christmas morning. We can guarantee the smile on her face will be worth its weight in gold.

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