Emily P. Wheeler, the Los Angeles–based jeweler known for her colorful designs, has unveiled a collection that bridges the gap between eras, composed of vintage pieces reworked by Wheeler as well as a curated selection of signed heritage jewels.
Wheeler has spent the last decade sourcing rare signed pieces from prestigious jewelry houses, mostly from the 1960s through 1980s. Notable jewels offered by Wheeler include Chopard’s iconic Happy Heart drop earrings, Tiffany & Co. chunky gold earrings from the ’80s, and ’70s necklaces by Bulgari and Hemmerle.
The designer has also transformed some unsigned vintage jewels, updating them to align with modern tastes and her brand’s core collection. This includes resetting antique Euro-cut diamonds from tennis necklaces and bracelets into Victorian-style collets electro-coated with blue, purple, and pink lacquer; adding a 1980s diamond and gold heart to a necklace of Arizona turquoise rondelles; and creating a pearl choker from vintage strands and heart pendant.
“As a fan of all things vintage, this new launch was a natural extension of the brand for me,” Wheeler said in a press release. “I love mixing old with new, which you see reflected in my home, how I dress, and with my jewelry. I am inherently a nostalgic person and started collecting vintage jewelry about 10 years ago for myself.”
Repurposing older pieces is also in keeping with Wheeler’s commitment to ethical practices. “Sustainability is at the heart of my brand,” she said. “Everything I design is responsibly sourced using single-mine-origin gold and other recycled precious metal. Reworking these vintage pieces embodied that same ethos and allowed me to bring new life to them while simultaneously recycling materials. It’s sort of like jewelry upcycling.”
Wheeler has unveiled the collection at a time of growing demand for vintage jewelry, particularly among celebrities on the red carpet. She independently verifies the authenticity of all signed vintage pieces and provides a full guarantee with purchase.
The reworked jewels are sold online at Bergdorf Goodman and Emily P. Wheeler, with the other vintage pieces available at Wheeler’s L.A. showroom.
Top: Jewelry designer Emily P. Wheeler wearing vintage jewels from her new collection (photos courtesy of Emily P. Wheeler)
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