Today’s Maximalist Jewelry Scene

Meet the jewelry designers who are inspiring just that. Head into your mom’s closet and grab some chunky beaded necklaces. Summer 2023 is all about busting out of your jewelry comfort zone. Whether it’s gemstone bugs or bespoke engagement rings, 2010’s minimalist jewelry is on its way out, and in its place are bold, bright, brilliant pieces. Over the past few years, there’s been a huge shift in how we view personal fashion and style. We’ve been shedding the conceptions of what’s “trendy” while simultaneously revitalizing old fashion eras for a new decade – killing the skinny jean, bringing back the middle part, embracing all things bedazzled, and the “more is more” mentality of maximalism. These inspiring jewelry designers embrace this mentality in both their designs, as well as in their own personal styles. 

Daniela Villegas, an LA-based jewelry designer known for creating bug-shaped jewelry out of precious metal and gemstones. Villegas is frequently covered in her pieces, wearing upwards of three rings per finger. Villegas’ jewelry can only be characterized by one word; energy. Every piece is vibrant and colorful, inspired by bugs' “beautiful renewal energy,” says Villegas in a recent New York Times interview. 

Emma Walton makes others' dreams a reality by creating bespoke rings with heavy silhouettes, inlaid precious gemstones, and chunky designs. Walton recently created a custom ring for Dua Lipa, featuring a giant teardrop ruby surrounded by a halo of smaller rubies. Walton’s ring designs are nostalgic, using hearts and celestial motiefs to nod to 90’s and early 00’s styles.

The maximalist jewelry trend has been seen across style icons like Sammi Jefcoate or Tefi Pessoa, who embody that when it comes to jewelry, more is definitely more. Sammi and Tefi sport huge ring stacks, sometimes layering four rings on a single finger. Tefi even layers multiple watches on one wrist, stating in a TikTok video, “I don’t see why I shouldn’t wear everything that I like. I like both, so I think I should wear both.” 

But it doesn’t stop there – maximalist jewelry is less about focusing on one type of jewelry accessory (i.e., only wearing rings) and more about bringing jewelry into your personal style in a way that makes it vital to your entire outfit. This trend is all about dressing to make yourself happy, whether wearing multiple watches on one wrist or loading your neck with 20 necklaces. This new era of jewelry is anything but subtle; if minimalism was all about fitting in, maximalism is all about standing out.