Celebrity Jewelry

Judge the Jewels: Cate Blanchett Is Chic and Sustainable in Repurposed Jewels

She wore a draped, multi-strand pearl necklace with a tourmaline and diamond embellishment.

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2023

Becky Stone

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A post shared by Francesca Amfitheatrof (@francescaamfitheatrof)

The sighting: Actress Cate Blanchett chose to walk the BAFTA red carpet in the same gown that she wore to the 2013 Oscars – an unusual move for an A-lister and a powerful statement about sustainability. She accessorized the recycled gown with a very special necklace.

The jewels: Blanchett is wearing a beautifully draped, multi-strand pearl necklace with a tourmaline and diamond embellishment, custom-designed for this moment by Francesca Amfitheatrof, Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton Watches and Jewellery.

This remarkable piece features only repurposed stones. According to Amfitheatrof’s Instagram, both the tourmaline and the pearls were sourced from previously-designed Louis Vuitton jewels.

The idea to use repurposed gems for the design came from Blanchett herself. In the actress’s own words: “Rewearing & repurposing and a collective approach toward more sustainable options are integral to the evolution and sustainability of the fashion industry.”

Fun fact: Francesca Amfitheatrof also designed the Tiffany & Co necklace that Cate Blanchett wore the first time she walked a red carpet in this gown, for the 2013 Oscars. See it here.

The trends: Power pearls have been big for a few years already and sustainability is only going to get more important as socially conscious Gen Z grows into their buying power.

What do we think? I lovveeeee this. I wanted to write about it from the second I saw it, when I thought it was just a cool way of styling pearls. That shoulder loop? I’m obsessed. So creative and gorgeous!

A jewelry redesign is recycling at its most stylish. Bookmark this one to reference the next time one of your clients mentions they have old family pearls that aren’t getting worn.

Judgement: 17/10 for a remarkable necklace with a powerful message.

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.