Zoë Chicco Fine Jewelry and Necklaces

Zoë Chicco Fine Jewelry and Necklaces

Zoë Chicco launched her namesake Los Angeles fine jewelry line in 2000, after studying metalsmithing at Skidmore College and in Florence, Italy. Everything is handmade in house in downtown Los Angeles from recycled 14k gold, conflict-free diamonds and semi-precious stones, in a California style built on layering. This edit gathers Itty Bitty stud earrings, curb and mariner link chains, pearl lariats, emerald and diamond rings and pendant necklaces made to stack.

Collage of layered gold necklaces, statement rings, bracelets and jewelry styled with everyday outfits

Chains, studs and gemstones to start a stack

Zoë Chicco has the kind of origin story I like, one that starts small. She grew up in Pennsylvania, studied metalsmithing at Skidmore College and spent time studying in Florence, Italy, then launched her Los Angeles line in 2000. In the beginning she made everything herself in a closet. Her love of jewelry came from her paternal grandmother, who wore tons of it, and her first pieces were made from found items, so everything was a brooch. Today the work is handmade by bench jewelers in a downtown Los Angeles studio, in recycled 14k gold with conflict-free diamonds and semi-precious stones. The Itty Bitty symbols, like the Queen of Hearts single stud and the padlock heart ring, are small and personal in the same spirit. The chain pieces are the foundation: the medium curb chain earrings, the heavy metal puff mariner link bracelet and the small puffed mariner chain diamond necklace. For color, look to the malachite beads necklace, the tiger eye square perfume bottle necklace and the emerald solitaire curb link bracelet. Pearls are a consistent best seller for the brand, and the pearl lariat is the clean way in. If you want diamond studs and hoops, my diamond earrings guide sorts them by mood, and the modern pearl edit pairs well with the lariat. What I would skip is wearing the heavy mariner chain next to a second chunky bracelet, since the links already carry the weight.

Blonde model in a dark brown fur jacket wearing layered gold pendant necklaces

Pendants, zodiac studs and delicate diamonds

The second group is lighter and more personal, which is where layering begins. Zoë Chicco is known for a California approach to stacking: chains, rings, and charms and pendants that can be personalized. The floating diamond small curb chain necklace, the 3 diamond circular pendant and the diamond bar circle pendant are all good first layers. The Paris pendant and the Amore pendant add a little more story, and the Itty Bitty zodiac sign stud, the BFF stud and the smiley face pendant with diamond eyes are playful. For ears, the thin hammered diamond hoops, the tear studs and the overlap bypass earrings sit close to the lobe. The gold necklace extender is the small practical piece that lets you set the length of a stack. A test I like: wear one chain at the collarbone and one a few inches lower, and keep the pendants different in size. For other ideas on stacking, the tennis necklace guide and sculptural gold jewelry are worth reading.

Woman with stacked gold and diamond rings held against her face
Wrist with stacked gold bracelets and a charm bracelet against lace

A first Zoë Chicco stack

If I were starting from scratch, I would pick one diamond pendant, one chain bracelet and one pair of studs, and add from there. Zoë Chicco's pieces are made to be added to over years, which is why the extender and the single studs exist. Picture her on a weekend in Los Angeles in a white tee with a pendant, a pearl lariat and a pair of huggies. For the hoops, my gold hoop earrings edit shows the wider field.

 

To round out the look, see Oradina Fine Jewelry and Necklaces and Cartier Watches and Jewelry.