Alternative materials in jewelry are quickly shifting from novelty to mainstay, with wood emerging as a standout.
Designer Jen Proudman offers a compelling take on the trend with this carved wood collar, available from e-tailer Milestones by Ashleigh Bergman. Its sleek silhouette is punctuated by a trio of bezel-set citrines, striking a balance that feels both statement-making and surprisingly wearable for every day.
“I first made a wood collar necklace after spending a summer in Bali a few years back—it was one of the first pieces I designed,” says Proudman. “The Balinese are master carvers. They have beautiful carvings everywhere, even the most mundane places like a highway road sign—it’s really inspiring.”
While alternative materials have grown as a jewelry category partly due to high gold prices, their appeal goes beyond cost. “They’re strong statement pieces with gold used as an accent, which keeps the price in check,” Proudman says.
Bergman, owner of Milestones, notes that demand is getting stronger for jewelry made of nontraditional materials. “They range from minimalist and polished to chunkier statement collars like this one,” she says. “For our client, they’ve become a staple.”
As for how to wear Proudman’s wood collar, Bergman says she never misses an opportunity for layering. “Traditionally, collars stand on their own and don’t need any accompaniment, [but] I love seeing a collar styled with a longer chain or paracord necklaces with a charm cluster at the bottom to anchor it.”
See more jewelry from Proudman, including several other wood collar styles, at the Milestones by Ashleigh Bergman site.
Top: Collar necklace in 14k yellow gold and carved Sono wood with citrine, $3,200; Jen Proudman Jewelry at Milestones by Ashleigh Bergman
