Tara Fine Jewelry

Before Lauren Newton found herself at a bench inspired to create jewelry with character, she was a zoologist at the Central Park Zoo. Her journey from zoologist to jewelry is not as surprising as it sounds. You often find nods to science, animals and nature hidden in all she creates.

The Jewelry Edit had the opportunity to talk to Tara.

How did you come up with the name/concept for your company?

Tara is the name given to me by my parents but it is also happens to have the initial
of all the members of my family. It felt right to me to have a brand name that holds
all the people I hold dear in its name.

Where do you look for inspiration when designing pieces?

It can be as shallow an inspiration as a doodle (which I do all day long, and have since
I was a child) or as thought- driven as an obscure part of a piece of architecture
(perhaps the least noticeable corner or window of an old building).

What are your favorite types of pieces to design?

I love designing unusual pieces if the client is experimental, like jewelled hairclips!

What’s your favorite type of material to wear/work with?

Yellow Gold and Emeralds.

How would you describe your style?

Put together but always a little undone.

Who/what are your biggest style influences?

Bits from different people, no single person. I love Zendaya’s style and how she is
such a sartorial chameleon, but still always looks like herself.

What was the first piece of jewelry you remember buying for yourself?

An Art deco Marquise Diamond ring.

What’s the most special piece of jewelry you own? What’s the story behind it?

A flexible Emerald belt that I created for my wedding. My dad helped
with the execution and we were both so invested in seeing our
experiment comes to fruition, with all the learning’s along the way; how
the links should move, the optimal weight of the belt so its holds up well
etc.

What’s one piece of jewelry you wear often, that you can’t live without?

My oversized Enamel letters which spell my son’s name.

How many pieces of jewelry do you usually wear at any given time? What are they?

Either tons of pieces at a time or none at all. When I am in the mood, I wear my
Emerald & Onyx Merged pendant on a black rope and Gold Ribbed hoops with
dangling diamonds. I wear this with multiple gold rings and a seamless flexible
Emerald bracelet.

Why do you think it’s important for people to wear jewelry?

It’s only important if it is something you love. I can only attest to the fact that jewelry
is a gift that keeps giving. You can wear it forever; it finishes an outfit, it is passed
down generations, and it holds intrinsic value without depreciation unlike other
expensive fashion purchases; in fact I have only seen the value increase year by year.
It is the epitome of slow fashion in that it takes time to make and is never thrown
away.

What’s something people should keep in mind when shopping for jewelry?

It should feel true to them & incite joy. If in doubt sleep over it, if you’re still thinking
of it after a couple of days then you know it’s the right choice.

What draws customers in to purchase jewelry from your collection?