When I think of my jewellery collection, it has evolved from large-and-in-charge statement necklaces to timeless, simple and dainty everyday pieces. I much prefer a subtle flash of sparkle versus all-out bling. So, I was intrigued when I learned that Toronto-based Grace Wong, founder of Jewels & Aces re-launched her jewellery brand to reflect a more simple, modern and timeless aesthetic.
I love a good girl boss story so I caught up with Grace to find out more about Jewel & Aces’ simple yet impactful jewellery you really can wear with everything. And the best part is, it’s all totally affordable with nothing over $100.
What are your five favourite pieces and how would you style them?
I think the beauty of our pieces is that they are designed to be effortless so they look great layered together with your existing collection or worn on its own. They transition seamlessly from work to night and instantly make your outfit feel polished. Some of my favourite pieces are:
Isla Earrings – With a halo of 16 micro pavé stones surrounding a solitaire, I love the elegance of these earrings with a simple silk slip dress and your hair loosely pulled back in an easy chignon. The perfect wedding guest outfit especially for those destination weddings coming up. These earrings are perfect for travel.
Dorothea Bracelet – I was never much of a bracelet person because I’m always on the computer but I love wearing the Dorothea Bracelet. This barely-there bracelet is comfortable and dainty. I love looking down and catching that glimpse of sparkle. It’s my go-to when I feel like dressing minimal but still want a little something to make my outfit feel special. Every time I wear it, people do a double take and then end up asking to see my arm for a closer look because the bracelet is so unexpected.
Riley Earrings – We went through five design iterations of these earrings to get them just right. Not too dainty, not too long, just the perfect size for that understated sparkle.
Harper necklace – This is the necklace I wear the most. The slight crescent silhouette with pavé stones just goes with everything. When I’m on the go (which is pretty much all the time), I put on the Harper necklace with any outfit, whether it’s for meetings, date night or just a grocery run. I always feel polished even though I only had a few minutes to get ready.
Evie Necklace – My favourite way of wearing these are mixing metals and layering the rose gold and silver. It ups the cool factor but still looks effortless.
What jewellery trends are you seeing this summer?
The choker necklace seems to be everywhere. Although our brand focuses on style over trends, we’ve taken a more timeless approach to it and designed a modern and minimal version of the choker which is launching soon. I think our necklace design looks of the moment but is versatile and classic enough to always be in the spotlight.
Tell us about the materials and finishes used to craft your gems?
Ensuring our jewellery is of high quality and made from only premium materials is one of the foundations of our brand. All our pieces are crafted from precious metals like 14K gold, rose gold vermeil and sterling silver. We also use flawless simulated diamonds, which are lab-created stones that mimic the characteristics of mined diamonds. So yes, it has that same gorgeous sparkle but rest assured that it’s also conflict-free, eco-friendly and comes at a more accessible price point.
Vermeil is a quality standard for describing sterling silver jewellery that is plated with a thick layer of gold, which results in longer lasting plating and colour. As a commitment to producing only high quality jewellery, we never plate over brass, steel or worse yet, any base metal that contains nickel, lead or cadmium. So often we see jewellery described as gold plated which consumers assume to mean good quality but it’s usually just flash dipped with a thin layer of gold plating over a lower quality base metal.
Our sterling silver pieces are plated in rhodium which is one of the most precious metals in the world and keeps sterling silver from tarnishing and gives it a gorgeous shine (sterling silver is naturally dull). All our pieces are then hand finished.
The collection has an everyday, minimalist yet elegant feel to it. What’s inspired this direction?
They say start a business you wish existed. I started the brand in 2013 selling fashion jewellery but I quickly became frustrated by the quality and lack of transparency about the materials used in the jewellery industry. My style was also evolving too. I was more thoughtful in purchasing clothes and accessories that were more minimal yet special, well-designed, good quality and would integrate well with my existing wardrobe so I could effortlessly put a stylish outfit together.
I loved the design aesthetic of fine jewellery but found it impractical and the price points inaccessible, so I went back to the drawing board and rebranded Jewels & Aces to create something I wish existed. I wanted pieces that were of high quality, made of premium materials and also had a modern yet timeless design aesthetic. I wanted jewellery you could wear with anything; subtle but impactful and always effortless.
If you could raid a celebrity’s jewellery collection, whose would it be?
Jamie Chung – She’s usually wearing minimal jewellery but they always look special yet understated.
Favourite piece of jewellery you’ve ever received?
My dad gave me a pair of earrings in high school that I’ve always treasured. Unfortunately, I lost one of them in one of my moves through the years. My dad has since passed away and my husband knew how special they were to me, so for my 31st birthday he had a jeweller make a replica of the earrings to wear and framed the original one with my favourite picture of me and my dad.
Where can we buy the Jewels & Aces collection?
Our collection is sold exclusively online at jewelsandaces.com. We know seeing is believing, so for a limited time all orders enjoy complimentary shipping with no minimum spend.
Image via @jewelsandaces
Follow Jan on Twitter
Let’s be inbox official. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.