For the previous 20 years, I’ve been an enormous fan of Bario Neal and their attractive jewellery. The Philadelphia-based studio was based by two finest buddies — Anna Bario and Web page Neal — and every bit they create is made with ethically sourced stones and environmentally acutely aware practices. So, this yr, after I determined to design a hoop to have a good time this new life chapter, I turned to them…
This ring, above, was my engagement ring. It’s lovely, however since my marriage ended a pair years in the past, I’m not carrying it anymore. And now that I’m settling into this subsequent part — stuffed with friendship and new love — I hoped to revamp the ring to really feel private and heartfelt and fashionable.
I used to be thrilled to speak with co-founder Web page Neal (left), who was so heat and beautiful. Have you ever created customized jewellery earlier than? I used to be excited however intimidated — I imply, what did I do know? — however Bario Neal makes each step enjoyable and easy. To make a chunk from scratch, you begin with a brief customized design questionnaire. You share your most well-liked steel, reduce, gems, and value vary, after which work with designers on subsequent steps. (If you wish to put your individual contact on a chunk, however don’t wish to begin from scratch, you need to use Bario Neal’s on-line customization platform.)
Subsequent, Web page requested me to create a moodboard of common photographs and vibes I appreciated (listed below are some, above)…
…and to inform her which rings I used to be drawn to on the web site. The project was a lot enjoyable, and I discovered myself gravitating towards blues, uneven clusters, and fashionable curves.
After my moodboard, Web page despatched a bunch of various designs for me to weigh in on. How cool are these two?
Then I visited Bario Neal’s Brooklyn studio to see their jewellery in particular person. The man who helped me appeared as excited as I used to be, and we each ended up attempting on rings collectively! I needed to remain and hang around all day. I fell for his or her radial cluster diamond ring, which we determined to customise with sapphires and some private tweaks.
A couple of gems had been going be left over from my ring, so we had been in a position to design earrings, too. Web page had shared design concepts, and within the retailer, we might really transfer the tiny gems round to determine the sample we appreciated most. It was superb to see the design come collectively in entrance of my eyes.
Now we had been off to the races! I actually beloved working with Web page and her group. These course of photographs of the earrings and ring blow my thoughts. Bario Neal’s mission — to create a jewellery firm dedicated to respecting human rights and environmental sustainability — shines by in every part they do. All of the metals and gems have a completely traceable provide chain, and are responsibly sourced from miners who meet moral, social, and ecological requirements.
For my ring, the diamond was a sustainably licensed carbon-neutral lab-grown diamond, the aquamarines had been sustainably sourced from Brazil, and the champagne diamond was recycled. How superb is that?
So! Wish to see the ultimate ring?
Isn’t it attractive?! I like it so, a lot — it feels fashionable but timeless, and stuffed with the thoughtfulness and expertise of ladies. Bario Neal’s jewellery is made out of their Philadelphia studio, and you’ll really feel the love in all they do.
The entire Bario Neal group made the expertise so significant, and I extremely advocate them to anybody on the lookout for particular jewellery.
Thanks a lot, Bario Neal. This was such a pleasure. xoxo
Nice information for Cup of Jo readers: Get a whopping 20% off your build-your-own jewellery expertise with code CUPOFJO20, good by December thirty first. See all of the Bario Neal build-your-own kinds right here, should you’d like. Thanks a lot.
(This publish is sponsored by Bario Neal, an organization we’ve beloved for many years. Thanks for supporting the manufacturers that assist Cup of Jo. Last photographs by Veronica Olson for Cup of Jo.)