CYRSTAL HAZE
“It’s an entire movement, it’s fashion, it’s everywhere” - Carol Woolton
Not to be dramatic at all, but the pandemic sounded the death knell for seasonal fashion trends. As the world was thrown into lockdown a few months ago, suddenly the fight to get our hands on the most coveted Spring/Summer pieces became, well, absurd. Bog roll was the new JW Anderson Puzzle Bag, and the hunt for Bottega Veneta’s The Pouch was eclipsed by stockpiles of Heinz Tomato Soup. The emphasis in fashion has now shifted away from wearing the latest trends, to embracing clothes that just make you feel good— perhaps how it should’ve been all along? Renowned for their energising and healing properties, it’s no surprise that crystals are emerging as the accessory that everyone wants to wear in this eerie post-pandemic world. More than just a pretty necklace or earrings, this is jewellery that surrounds you in positive chakras. According to the fine jewellery expert and British Vogue contributing editor, Carol Woolton, crystals are the injection of clarity we need right now: “People will be going out there after this crisis, they’re going to change how they interact and what they buy. They’ll want to look at how things are made and buy something that has got specific meaning to them.”
As the search for spiritual guidance continues, particularly in the face of a global pandemic, more and more people are turning their attention to crystal healing. This Goop-approved wellness trend has been on our radar for a while and promises myriad psychological benefits— such as “re-centering” and banishing emotions of stress and anxiety. Ancient cultures first utilised the metaphysical powers of crystals to transform their energy, spirit and physical health. In fact, Egyptians, Mayans and Sumerians regularly adorned their bodies with these sacred stones for this very purpose. In the eyes of Colleen McCann, a certified shamanic energy medicine practitioner, crystals are where science and mysticism intersect, “crystals are millions of years old and were forged during the earliest part of the earth’s formation. I think of crystals as a timeless database of knowledge, because they retain all the information they have ever been exposed to. Crystals absorb information and pass it to anyone that comes into contact with them.” Put simply, crystals are the OG harbours of ‘good vibes’.
In Woolton’s latest book The New Stone Age she presents a compelling case for the merging of fashion and crystal healing. “Our emotional or physical reactions to crystals are entirely personal, but if you set an intention with a crystal and every time you hold it, that intention comes to the foreground of your mind, that can greatly affect your mood, how you respond to life and challenges,” said Woolton. In fact, the ancient practice is fast gaining new relevance in our modern society, with jewellery and fashion designers increasingly using the power of crystals in their work.
Next month sees the launch of Alighieri’s The Stones of Light Collection, a stunning collaboration between the cult jewellery brand and Carol Woolton herself. The limited edition collection comprises of two separate pendants, a ring and earrings— each adorned with Lapis Lazuli, Garnet and Malachite fragments, and cast in Alighieri’s signature 24ct gold plate. These timely pieces are designed to celebrate the grounding and protective nature of crystals, but with only 33 pieces of each style being produced… you’ll need to move quickly.
Here’s an edit of my favourite CRYSTAL JEWELLERY designers:
ALIGHIERI
The Stones of Light is a collection of jewellery that aims to promote an inner feeling of calm and stability in the wearer. In conjunction with the launch of Carol Woolton’s book The New Stone Age, designer Rosh Mahtani has collaborated on this timeless collection. Each piece contains deep blue Lapis Lazuli, burnished red Garnet and energising green Malachite which are placed in the shape of a pyramid to represent the stability we desire in daily life.
These “unearthed amalgamations of treasures” are each slightly unique and forge a sense of self that is completely individual to the wearer. A limited run of 33 pieces of each style will be handmade, in correlation to the 33 poems in each canto of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
My Picks: The Stones of Light Earrings and Ring
CRYSTAL HAZE
Founded by Ophelia Alickaj and Sara Vlatkovic in 2017, Crystal Haze is a young Norwegian jewellery brand combining raw luxury and deep symbolic meaning. With a “mix and match” aesthetic, their cult pendants can be layered up to enshrine the powerful healing energies of crystals. Take for instance the combination of pink agate which brings calm, strength and courage to the beholder, and citrine, an energising stone that erases negativity in your mind. Each piece is a truly modern antique— so embrace that sunny state of mind and get them on your radar!
My Picks: The Pink Haze Pendant, and Silver Dust Pendant- too many to choose!
ROXANNE FIRST
“More than just a necklace, this is a piece of jewellery that takes care of you as you wear it.” Now there’s a concept we can get behind! Roxanne First’s partnership with world-renowned crystal healer, Emma Lucy Knowles began with a mutual love for the beauty and power of crystals. Two years in the making, The Power of Three collection aims to empower you with positive energy and help set your intentions for the everyday - whether in love, work or wellbeing. Each beautiful stone has been carefully— and ethically— selected to energise the wearer while stimulating mental clarity and protection. For example, The Super Attractor necklace is made up of 3 faceted crystals; citrine, orange moonstone, and fire cornelian. The purpose of this specific crystal combination is to help the wearer draw in their own personal hopes, wishes, dreams and desires for their highest good.
My Picks: Check out The Super Attractor, and The Shield of all comprised of a spectrum of rich rainbow coloured crystals.
MATEO
The Jamaican-born artist, Matthew Harris, was a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist in 2017— but the designer's trademark stone encrusted pieces have been worn by Hollywood starlets for years. Both timeless and modern, MATEO jewellery is the epitome of easy elegance. Take for instance this 3 Dot Turquoise and Diamond Necklace. In crystal healing, the Turquoise stone is considered “a master healer” because it promotes an energetic flow of the highest vibration of love— aka the spiritual super food. Its dazzling blue-green shade was notably adored by ancient Egyptians who incorporated the stone into protective amulets and royal bling for the likes of King Tut and Cleopatra. A popular protective shield for ancient warriors heading out into battle, this is everything you need in a necklace right now.
My Picks: The Gold Malachite Ear Jacket Earrings and Gold 5 Point Turquoise Anklet
ROCK + RAW
Rock + Raw excel at creating crystal-charged fine jewellery that’s designed to raise your vibration and connect you to some divine feminine energy. Their pendants are powered by crystals which have been blessed by founder Lucy Sherwood using sage, palo santo and the music of crystal sound bowls. Worn by the likes of Tom Hardy and Daisy Lowe, their stunning pendants are inspired by the warrior-like strength, the rock, that’s in all of us, along with the raw spirit that we carry within too. A unique fusion of ritual and ceremony, each piece is designed as a talisman for the everyday.
My Picks: Citrine Pendant, and the Mint Amethyst Pendant (pictured).
THEODORA WARRE
Since launching in 2014, Theodora Warre has been the go-to label for maximalist, rainbow-hued crystal jewels— worn by the likes of Kate Moss, Adwoa Aboah and Jean Campbell. As the great-granddaughter of crown jeweller Harry Garrard, Theodora Warre has an innate understanding of gemstones. Take for instance her colourful crystal studded hoops. The combination of these stones brings the wearer positivity in life— the White Sapphire for Love, Amethyst for protection, Blue Sapphire for peace, Emerald for success, Yellow Sapphire for joy & Ruby for health. Inspired by Jaipur’s historic connection to gemology, Indian craftsmanship is Warre’s continual source of inspiration and the key that brings her colourful creations to life.
My Picks: Positivity Earrings and Peridot Emerald Drop Earrings.
