Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
TrendsJan 03, 2019
2018’s Best Jewelry Read Was for the Boys
“Jewelry for Gentleman” celebrates the jewelry styles that have passed the test of time and shows how tastemakers are wearing them in the 21st century.
Thames & Hudson released “Jewelry for Gentleman” in September. It celebrates the jewelry styles that have stood the test of time and shows how tastemakers are wearing them in the 21st century. This image shows a 42-carat Gemfields sugarloaf cabochon emerald ring that opens to reveal frogs kissing on lily pads. (Image courtesy of Thames & Hudson)
London—In “Jewelry for Gentlemen,” released last September by Thames & Hudson, author James Sherwood writes, “a fourteenth-century BC solid-gold signet ring carved deeply with the hieroglyph of Tutankhamun could pass unnoticed in the jewelry section of Dover Street Market.”
It’s with this eye for timelessness that Sherwood delves into the world of men’s jewelry in the 21st century, examining the styles that have lasted the test of time to survive in an era when men are wearing jewelry far less than in preceding centuries.
It’s with this eye for timelessness that Sherwood delves into the world of men’s jewelry in the 21st century, examining the styles that have lasted the test of time to survive in an era when men are wearing jewelry far less than in preceding centuries.
A Victorian diamond 12-ray star brooch from Bentley & Skinner, centered on a 0.65-carat old brilliant-cut diamond, circa 1870, with tailoring by Henry Poole & Co. (Image courtesy of Thames & Hudson)Considering the dearth of men’s jewelry today, Sherwood highlights how some modern male tastemakers are successfully adding jewelry to their outfits, whether it be model Lucky Blue Smith, pictured at a Paris Fashion Week party in 2016 draped in artful layers of chains and bracelets, or actor Tom Hardy at a 2017 film premiere with a smart antique yellow gold, ruby and diamond tie slide adorning his Gucci outfit.
Sherwood contrasts these modern adaptations with their earlier era counterparts.
For example, on the subject of men’s ring placement, the author illustrates the Duke of Windsor’s preference for Cartier’s tri-color gold Trinity Ring, which he wore on his left pinky during his courtship with Wallis Simpson in the 1930s. The ring bore the inscription, “Darling Wallis.”
The style remains one of Cartier’s most popular styles for men today.
The tome also highlights a group of prominent designers shaping the landscape for men’s jewelry today: Ara Vartanian, Shaun Leane, Stephen Webster and Solange Azagury-Partridge, to name a few.
Divided into chapters dictated by jewelry categories, like rings; stick pins, studs and slides; and chains and pendants; “Jewelry for Gentleman” expertly weaves the old and the contemporary into a cohesive narrative that feels utterly relevant to today’s style and trends.
Sherwood explains in the book’s introduction, “Jewelry for Gentlemen celebrates times and tastes past that modern men have adapted and restyled for the twenty-first century. It also showcases pieces of jewelry that will be future heirlooms, as made by modern masters.”
Sherwood is a style journalist who currently contributes to the Financial Times and the International Herald Tribune. He’s written several books on men’s style, with a focus on tailoring and jewelry.
“Jewelry for Gentleman” is available through Thames & Hudson. The hardcover book’s 256 pages contain more than 400 illustrations, 300 of which are in color. It sells for $45.
(Image courtesy of Thames & Hudson)
More on Trends
The Latest
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
