PAIGE NOVICK: GOOD AS GOLD
PAIGE NOVICK: GOOD AS GOLD
Refined. Romantic. Rebellious. New York-based jeweler Paige Novick didn’t start out in fashion, but a passion for fine art and design (plus an internship with Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel in Paris) has been the driving force behind her edgy and ethereal pieces. Known for mismatched earrings and double rings, her minimal looks strike the right balance between sleek and sensual beauty.
The Jewelry Edit® had the opportunity to talk to Novick about what inspires her.
What is the concept behind your company?
I wanted to create everyday statement pieces that were refined and romantic — and also a bit rebellious. There was a void for jewelry that had edge and quirkiness but wasn’t aggressive.
Where do you look for inspiration?
When I’m open, everything inspires me. It can be a song, a tree branch, a piece of marble. I look at art and get inspired and it comes to me later. I’m drawn to negative spaces — the area around or in between an object — and I love exploring those spaces in my work.
What are your favorite pieces to design?
I love designing strong pieces with fluid lines that seem like they’re always moving and evolving. I try to create jewelry that evokes life force energy — as if it’s going through a metamorphosis.
What’s your favorite material to work with?
I love working with opal (my birthstone). Also, emerald and peridot for their hue and healing energy. I’m certified in crystal healing and color therapy, so working with gemstones resonates deeply with me.
Who or what are your biggest style influencers?
I visited Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection, an exhibit at the MET about 15 years ago and I was smitten by her magpie style! Also, my mom who is a jewelry designer
and a true pioneer. She used black metal in the ’70s and ’80s when it wasn’t popular — now it’s so chic.
What was the first piece of jewelry you remember buying for yourself?
A vintage, red Bakelite bracelet I found at a flea market when I was a student in Paris. The experience and the discovery element was everything for me.
What's the story behind your most special piece of personal jewelry?
I designed a diamond-wrapped opal aura crystal pendant as a gift to myself for passing the crystal-healing exam with flying colors! I wear it as a talisman and way to honor my hard work.
How many and what pieces of jewelry do you usually wear?
I love asymmetry and have a double ear piercing, so I tend to wear two different earrings (one statement, one stud), and then add an ear cuff. I love our pearl version! I wear my double ringer ring, a delicate pinky ring with a colored stone — and that’s it. Sometimes, I’ll amp it up with my signature palm cuff.
Why do you think it’s important for people to wear jewelry?
I think jewelry often has a story that makes it very personal and meaningful, and we hold these things dear, to make us feel grounded and connected.
What’s something people should keep in mind when shopping for jewelry?
I always say, if it’s not a ‘hell yes’, it’s a ‘hell no’! There is no in-between with jewelry; you either can’t live without it or you should walk away. Listen to your heart and you’ll know the answer.
What draws people to jewelry from your collection?
I believe people who buy my jewelry like the versatility. You can wear it with other go-to pieces in a way that brings out individual style. As someone who is always juggling, I understand the importance of grab-and-go simplicity!
