Designer Anna Sheffield makes jewelry that is uniquely meaningful. “Jewelry carries so much meaning and over time collects energy like we collect our memories,” she explained in a recent interview with The Particulars. “I think of heirlooms and talismans as pieces that become markers of those memories.”
More than ornamental, each piece of jewelry is treated by Sheffield as a precious talisman, imbued with history, alive with meaning, and destined to be passed down for generations. Her brand offers non-traditional fine jewelry and has come to be known for its one-of-a-kind engagement rings.
“One-of-a-kind” means that Sheffield enjoys bringing together extraordinary materials in unexpected combinations — diamonds in rare forms, extraordinary gems from emeralds to faceted quartz, and a custom range of gold colors. “Our designs offer a study in juxtaposition,” reads the brand’s website. “Feminine yet unconventional. Contemporary yet timeless. Each piece an invitation to layer and style together, and to define beauty on your own terms.”
According to Sheffield, her use of unexpected combinations and unconventional stones for engagement rings (gone are the traditional white diamonds), wasn’t based on market research but rather on her own inclination. “I was seeing people enjoying the unconventional jewelry I was making, and I thought why not take that ethos and apply it to ceremonial jewelry,” she notes. “I love the beauty in natural materials and those colored and included diamonds are part of what makes the gems special to me. I also just love breaking rules.”
Born in New Mexico, Sheffield’s childhood in the Southwest has had an enduring influence on her work, setting the stage for a lifelong interest in natural beauty, spirituality, and all forms of art and design—from architecture to indigenous crafts. “I feel like things have a resonant quality to them, sometimes even a sacredness,” says the designer. “I think of these as influences from New Mexico.”
Rendering the ephemeral and capturing the alchemy and energy that bring people together, her jewelry is ideal for wedding season. Ask any blushing bride.
