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When Bridget King got married 19 years ago, her wedding-day sparklers came courtesy of her mother. “I wore really big jewelry that I never wore again,” she says of the Art Deco-inspired pieces.
Fortunately, King’s namesake jewelry collection can save brides-to-be from a similar fate. The Atherton designer describes her creations as “classic with a twist.” Thanks to her impeccable eye and talents, traditional materials — such as gold, diamonds and pearls — feel decidedly fresh, with clean and contemporary silhouettes.
Style and practicality go hand in hand; the latter bears out in her reversible earrings as well as designs meant to be worn alone or layered with others. Before a concept goes to market, King typically dons the prototypes as a test.
Is it comfortable? Does it hang or lie properly? Can it be dressed up or down?
On a recent morning, King settles into a seat on the patio of the Rosewood Sand Hill, a long gold chain draped around her neck with an array of her own charms dangling from it. Her ears are adorned with not-yet-released climber-style designs. She opens a box with a cadre of rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces — all twinkling in the sunlight.
The Southern California native’s career dates back to her college years at UCLA. “I went to a department store, saw some jewelry for $40, and thought, ‘I could make that!’” she recalls.
She began frequenting bead stores and selling her wares at local boutiques. Then, at the suggestion of a friend, she went to the California Market Center in the hope of lining up more wholesale business. A buyer ordered 100 pairs of earrings, which King rushed to produce overnight.
After college, she worked as a fashion designer in New York City for a few years before moving to Hong Kong for her husband’s job. It was there that she took up jewelry design again, launching Bridget King Jewelry in 2003. Over the years, the line has evolved — from sterling silver, gold-filled wire and semi-precious stones to a more luxe palette of materials.
About four years ago, King and her husband — by now parents to a son and a daughter — returned to the U.S. and settled on the Peninsula. With both her kids in high school, and the construction of their house complete, King decided to refocus on her fine jewelry. She conceives every item in the collection, which is manufactured in Hong Kong by a small team of artisans that she trained.
Her daughter, Audrey, is the inspiration for a new series that will bow this fall. Its three earrings and necklace are composed of delicate double lines of diamonds. King surprised her daughter with them for her high school graduation last month.
Although conjured with a teenager in mind, King envisions that the understated yet chic style of the Audrey designs will endure — much like the rest of her trove. When it comes to jewelry for brides and bridal parties, her philosophy is simple: “You don’t want to look back in 20 years at your wedding photos and say, ‘What the heck was I thinking?’”
Anh-Minh Le is a Peninsula freelance writer. Email: style@sfchronicle.com
King’s picks for brides
Reversible diamond and pearl earrings: Available in white, yellow or rose gold, these are essentially two-in-one ($2,500) — featuring a pearl in a square setting with white diamonds on one side, and black diamonds on the other. “A lot of brides wear pearls,” says King, “but this is a modern and edgier way to wear them.” (The bride’s hair color or style might dictate which side to showcase.)
Diamond stick earrings: With a nearly 2½-inch drop, this diamond-encrusted linear pair ($3,950) is ideal for brides who “don’t want to be trendy,” King says. “They’re elegant and classic.” Like many of her other designs, these come in white, yellow or rose gold versions.
Sliced diamond earrings: King offers two designs centered around sliced diamonds — an irregularly shaped stone ($5,500), or a hexagon ($6,200). The organic cross-section is balanced with the refinement of pavé diamonds. The former element has inclusions, making them each as unique as the bride herself.
Diamond teardrop earrings: For the bride who likes to mix and match, or collect pieces over time, King’s teardrop collection ($1,200-$5,500) is just the thing, ranging from small to large diamond-lined open teardrops, with mini pavé teardrops as well. The earrings are designed to be worn individually, or as multiples stacked on top of each other.
Diamond teardrop bracelet: With two teardrop sizes on offer, King suggests the bride treat herself to the larger version ($1,700), and gift her bridesmaids with the smaller one ($730). “Wouldn’t that be a really super-nice present that they can all have forever, a special connection between your closest girlfriends,” King says.
Charm necklaces: While most of King’s creations are done in gold, her charm necklaces are also available in sterling silver. A silver letter is $90, and an 18-inch silver necklace is $80. The assortment of charms — among them, trinkets in the shape of lightning bolts and dog bones, and bars that can be personalized with names and words — are made with and without diamonds. A gold letter, bedecked with diamonds, is $780.
Anh-Minh Le grew up reading The San Francisco Chronicle and started freelancing for her hometown daily in 2006. She contributes primarily to the Home & Garden section. She has written about the residences of local personalities - from celebrity chefs to professional athletes - as well as design trends and events. She also pens the Stylemaker Spotlight, a weekly column that profiles individuals and businesses in the art, crafting, design and decorating communities.
She is an alumna of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and lives on the Peninsula.