We love the opportunity to celebrate premiere collections from New York City’s most talented designers. In a decadent show of artisan craft, creating breathtaking pieces from precious metals and stones, Rebekah Schwartz debuts her exclusive line of fine jewelry. The launch of Rebekah Lea Designs introduces four unique, yet cohesive collections. Monomoy, Stonality, TRV, and Forbidden Forest collectively possess a range of characteristics from avant-garde masks to understated pendants.

Tuesday’s preview event was set against a backdrop almost as sparkling as the encrusted jewels themselves. The rooftop at the Gramercy Park hotel was transformed into a vine-covered, twinkling alcove reminiscent of Rebekah Lea’s Forbidden Forest designs. Bubbly champagne, cucumber-mint cocktails, and gourmet hor d’oeuvres heightened our delight as we mingled with the designer and her breathtaking baubles.

The New York based designer’s handmade jewelry comes from concept to fruition in her Midtown West studio. Schwartz often lets her materials take the lead as she navigates her designs around them. Each meticulous piece—whether custom or signature creation—is a one-of-a-kind original, intended to celebrate its wearer’s individuality. Each collection is a fresh and interesting twist on designing fine jewelry that makes a bold, modern impression. “I strive to create jewelry that captures proper elegance combined with dimensions of edginess,” explains Schwartz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fond memories of summers spent seaside inspire the Monomoy collection; a combination of gold and silver metals dotted with semi- and precious gems like moonstone, amethyst, and diamond. Delicately detailed shapes of ocean treasures, shells and starfish appear in regal drop earrings, studs with just enough sparkle, and charmed pendant necklaces and bracelets. Richer hues are found in the Stonality collection, where Schwartz maintains her sophisticated aesthetic while fusing a variety of geometric shapes in cluster earrings and thin stackable rings. Green and yellow sapphires, garnet, ruby, aquamarine, and more are set in rose, white, and yellow gold; alongside streamlined pieces inlaid with champagne and white diamonds. Structured, yet feminine designs compose the TRV collection, it’s arches and arrows influenced by the linear curves of urban architecture.

Those three signature collections offered exquisite adornments, but we became truly enamored with Rebekah Lea’s Forbidden Forest. Edgy and dark in comparison, the collection features skulls, talons, and thorns chosen to interpret life after death. She credits her inspiration to mysterious forests found in fantastical films and series, like personal favorite Game of Thrones. Garnet, tourmaline, citrine, and black rhodium contribute to the shadowy beauty Lea finds in giving new life to the collection’s skeletal remains. We’re lusting over each sinister piece. 

Peep our gallery of photos from the event plus our favorite Rebekah Lea designs. View more from the designer at rebekahleighdesigns.com.