The former NYC graphic artist looks to the human form for inspiration, so her pendants and chokers perfectly grace the hollow of your neck and trace the line of your collarbone — flattering all your best features.
Available at P.45, 1643 North Damen Avenue, between North and Wabansia Avenues (773-862-4523); online at sarahmcguire.com, $85 and up.
New Age endorsement of crystals aside, it’s hard to refuse designer Meghan Lorenz’s updated takes on the mystical rocks. She uses turquoise and other geological finds and emboldens them with an ’80s vibe.
Available at etsy.com, $38-$110.
It’s easy for a jewelry designer to take the faux vintage road. Lombardi chooses a decidedly modern path, crafting striking, geometric pieces from repurposed materials. They’ve created quite the buzz.
Available at lauralombardi.bigcartel.com, $30-$160. To see styles, go to lauratlombardi.com.
Attalie Dexter crafts eclectic jewels from a combination of vintage and modern elements — think mix-matched corrugated beads on delicate, oxidized vintage chains.
Available at Eskell, 1509 North Milwaukee Avenue, at Honore Street (773-486-0830 or eskell.com); online at shop.shadesofgreyjewelry.com, $28-$190.
The metalsmith-cum-School of the Art Institute of Chicago professor sources raw materials (ebony, horn, wood, bone, briarroot, leather), then sands and solders the metals (silver, bronze), polishes them, and voila — sleek, sculptural art.
Available at June Blaker, 870 North Orleans Street, between Locust and Chestnut Streets (312-751-9220 or juneblaker.com), $250-$800. To see styles, go to gillioncarrara.com.
Self-taught geniuses (and twins) Kimberly and Jennifer Gennace work on their designs separately, come together to critique, and tweak from there. Kim’s on-trend, edgy style balances Jen’s classic, clean aesthetic.
Available at ianneci.com, $75-$470.
Your mother’s jewelry this is not. Each limited-edition piece has a distinctly futuristic, funky edge. Past favorites: bananas dangling from earrings; moons and stars in a supernova; and copper, rope, and crystal tied into a breastplatelike knot necklace.
Available at etsy.com, $20-$150. For more info, go to shikama-jewelry.blogspot.com.
Designer Angelica Callanta scours the globe for the perfect hides to cut into funky-shaped earrings (feathers, strips, leaves, circle drops). Don’t expect standard fare: Callanta loves playing with color.
Available at etsy.com, $10-$64.
Props to the earth science teacher whose lecture inspired Chicago native Theresa Cowan to create her geology-centric collection. Uncut, unpolished stones nestle next to animal bones and prehistoric animal teeth. It’s nature at its finest.
Available at mineralogy.bigcartel.com, $60-$160.
Ellie Thompson figured out how to use geometric shapes, contrasting metal textures, and intense gemstones to translate the pulse of the city without screaming it from the streets. A trained gemologist, she also does custom work and redesigns old or inherited jewelry.
Ellie Thompson + Co., 8 South Michigan Avenue, at Madison Street, suite 2203 (312-263-2264 or ellieco.com), $1,500 and up. By appointment only.
Don’t expect coral and glitz from this Miami transplant. The Chicago resident keeps leather, bone, ebony, ostrich eggshells, and other exotic materials at her disposal for her edgy yet feminine creations.
Available at winifredgrace.com, $92-$315.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago grad Cristina Bloom designs pieces that expose watches’ inner mechanisms — etching, gems, gears, hands. Each piece in her collection corresponds to a specific historical date.
Available at Mark Shale, 900 North Michigan Avenue, at Walton Street (312-440-0720), $150-$500. To see styles, go to etteneller.com.
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