Launched just last year, the exclusive fine jewelry e-boutique Stone & Strand combines the best of fine jewelry and the ease of shopping online. With a highly curated selection of jewelry from a range of designers such as Katherine Jetter and Stephen Webster, there’s something for everyone – and every budget.
The Stone & Strand team handpicks every single piece, with a number of great finds under $750 (like this Triple Northern Star ring by Elizabeth and James) as well as a handful of one-of-a-kind stunners (like these Gandhi earrings by Ana de Costa featuring Zambian emeralds from Gemfields).
One-of-a-kind Ana de Costa ‘Ghandi’ Zambian Emerald Earrings
Inspired by Gandhi’s most famous quote, “We must be the change we wish to see,” Ana De Costa created these 18k yellow gold earrings using only “mine to market” emeralds in collaboration with London based ethical Zambian emerald mining company, Gemfields. Each earring features a 20 carat emerald complemented by natural cognac diamonds. Ana will pledge a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the earrings back to Gemfields community schools project in Zambia.
What’s more, Stone & Strand is not just an e-commerce site. When its Founder and CEO Nadine McCarthy Kahane, fresh from earning her MBA at Wharton, teamed up with Creative Director Brooke Magnaghi, a former accessories and jewelry director for W magazine, they decided to build a site that offered a unique blend of high quality jewelry, inspired editorial content and an online hub for people with a passion for jewelry.
Brooke Magnaghi (left) & Nadine McCarthy Kahane (right) – the dynamic duo behind Stone & Strand
Take an inside look at Stone & Strand as Nadine and Brooke answer a few questions to help share their vision behind their latest online jewelry venture.
JDJ: How did the two of you pair up?
NMK: We met through a mutual friend, who realized that we both shared a similar vision for what was missing in the fine jewelry world. It was like going on a blind date – but you could say it was love at first sight and Stone & Strand is our little baby!
Alison Lou ‘Love U’ Cuff
New York City designer Alison Lou uses quirky emoticons as inspiration for her contemporary fine jewelry collection. This 14K yellow gold cuff expresses emotions of romance and love with a red enamel heart and pave white diamond “u”. The perfect gift for a best friend or loved one, or alternatively stack it with the screw “u” bracelet for good times and bad. Just in case.
JDJ: What inspired you both to launch Stone & Strand? There’s no question that there is a lack of online shops dedicated to fine jewelry, but how are you setting Stone & Strand apart from the handful of other existing sites?
NMK: We felt that there was an opportunity to bring a very personal, intimate approach to discovering, learning about and shopping for jewelry online – sort of an online club for jewelry lovers. We share stories, about the designers behind each piece, and how to wear and style jewelry on a daily basis.
Stone & Strand is the leading destination for unique fine jewelry, offering access to exclusive products, glamour-infused editorial and a highly intimate concierge service. We use the convenience and story telling capabilities of the internet as a platform for jewelry lovers to discover the very best designers, supplemented by an intimate service offering, pop-up stores and unique educational experiences.
Erica Molinari Scalloped Pave Diamond Earrings
Crafted in New York City, Erica Molinari’s designs showcase her modern medieval aesthetic. These magnificent earrings sparkle with 5.88ct of high quality white round brilliant diamonds, in a variety of sizes, set in oxidized sterling silver. The 18K yellow gold scalloped rim is encrusted with pave white diamonds. Small gold detailing accents the hook backs. Classic with a romantic twist, these earrings are ideal for special occasions.
Stone & Strand stands out from other e-commerce portals because:
Stone & Strand is more than an online destination. We have built a community for jewelry enthusiasts and shoppers, and provide them with insider’s access to the often-veiled world of fine jewelry through our private events, pop-ups and educational sessions.
We provide a highly personal suite of services focused on removing the stresses typically associated with the purchase of expensive jewelry ranging from appraisals to consultations with jewelry experts such as gemologists and personal stylists. We’ll take care of your husband or boyfriend and guide him to the right piece!
Stone & Strand offers our customers access to exclusive jewelry from the world’s best designers, ranging from the truly exquisite one-of-a-kind pieces fit for royalty, to the every day staples that form the basis of a girl’s jewelry wardrobe.
Caspita Jewelry ’7 Chakras’ Tourbillon Ring
Caspita jewelry brings to life the different chakras of yoga from the ancient spiritual world of India. Arlène Bonnant, the Switzerland based designer and contemporary art expert, created Caspita using only the finest metals and gem stones. This diamond ring features seven moving chakras embellished in 7.3 carats of multicolor gemstones.
JDJ: Brooke, given your background in accessories and jewelry at W Magazine, how has that experience shaped the way Stone & Strand selects its jewelry designers? What criteria do you look for when evaluating potential new designers?
BM: My experience at W afforded me the opportunity to delve deep into the world of fine jewelry. To see and study it from many different angles and to cover it as an editor from several different perspectives ranging from the educational and historical to its place in high fashion. One of my favorite parts of the job – and it still is – was getting to know the people behind the beautiful jewelry I encountered. It heightened my appreciation for their pieces and I quickly understood that these people are true artists.
We are story tellers at Stone & Strand, so for me, it’s a dream to work with and support the visions of so many talented designers in a way that brings them to life online. We like to maintain a sense of discovery on the site, to feature a mix of designers – some of whom you may know and others you definitely don’t.
We curated the site in a way that each of our designers stands out on their own and has a clearly defined aesthetic.
Arman Sarkisyan Pink Opal Earrings
Arman Sarkisyan exquistely crafts each of his ornate designs using techniques of centuries past, which he started learning during an apprenticeship with his father at the age 12. Arman’s designs bring together Gothic, Byzantine, and Russian Renaissance styles with a modern touch. A 15mm by 12mm oxidized sterling silver accent piece with vibrant pink 8mm by 5mm rubellite gemstones and 1.5mm white round brilliant diamonds sits atop a 10mm by 38mm pink opal drop.
JDJ: Nadine, in press articles and in Stone & Strand’s bio page, it is clear that you are well-traveled (so envious!) – of all your worldly journeys, which culture or region of the world do you find most influential when you look at jewelry? Meaning, are you more drawn to Indian-inspired pieces, African-inspired, etc?
NMK: I spent a lot of time working in Europe and was really inspired by the breadth of jewelry craftsmanship across the continent, and the differences in creative aesthetics brought to life within each cultural context. There’s both the rich heritage and craftsmanship of centuries-old jewelers, as well as a group of very dynamic young jewelry designers that are pushing the boundaries of jewelry design. The contrast and depth of work is very exciting!
Holly Dyment ‘Teary’ Enamel Ring
Based in Toronto, former interior decorator Holly Dyment is known for her clever use of color. Because of this fresh perspective, she was recently named New Designer of the Year by National Jeweler. This statement ring features a diamond encrusted eye with a dangling white sapphire tear.
JDJ: If you could choose one piece of jewelry from your site, which would it be and why?
BM: I couldn’t possibly choose just one! I’m too much of a fashion chameleon and jewelry lover to covet one piece alone.
NMK: I bought myself a pair of beautiful gold drop earrings with yellow hand-painted foil from Larkspur and Hawk for Christmas, I had been eyeing them for a long time. They are gorgeous!
Larkspur & Hawk ‘Violet Lily’ Foil Bracelet
A former curatorial consultant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New Yorker Emily Satloff launched launched a contemporary fine jewellery line, Larkspur & Hawk that references traditional English Georgian jewelry craftsmanship. This bracelet features amethyst stones with a striking handpainted indigo foil backing that are set in sterling silver. The indigo foil gives the amethyst a vivid violet-blue look.
JDJ: What is your favorite piece of jewelry from your own personal collections?
BM: Ok, it’s a little cliche, but my favorite piece is my wedding band. It’s an ultra slim band of baguettes by Nora Kogan. It’s so simple and elegant – everyday I look at it knowing I made the right choice! And my husband wasn’t a bad choice either.
Brooke’s delicate Nora Kogan wedding band and Sabine G pinky ring
NMK: Mine is a gold choker necklace set with jade stones that I got from my grandmother. It’s elegant and speaks to my joint heritage from Singapore and the UK.
Nadine’s grandmother’s beautiful jade necklace