Known for its eccentric baubles and tasteful drop earrings, the Met store has long been the place to pick up a piece of tasteful jewelry (or a Monet Garden-print shawl) for your mother, or great-aunt. But on a recent scroll through the store’s jewelry section, we noticed something surprising: The Met’s jewelry selection has become rather … cool. Sure, there are still necklaces made to look like a sprig of rosemary (with rosemary earrings to match), but the store also stocks mismatched pearls elegant and offbeat enough to rival those made by the now-defunct, downtown New York brand Trademark, and some dangly gold-star earrings that have a whiff of Gimaguas, whose clothes and jewelry often sell out within hours of release. Has the Met changed things up, or are we just more inclined toward some grandmotherly jewelry lately? It’s hard to say. Either way, there’s currently a 25 percent off sale sitewide, and many of their offerings would make a great gift for the stylish person in your life who could use a break from their everyday gold hoops.
For the one who wants to channel The Girl With the Pearl Earring, but with a slightly off-kilter, mismatched twist.
The mix of carnelian and gold on these reminds us of something you’d see from cool L.A. jewelry designer Mondo Mondo.
A subtle pair of hoops with a knot that will make them stand out from every other pair of gold hoops your sister already owns.
Just ornate enough — and based on a pair of earrings in the Met’s collection.
Yes, it’s a little intense, but someone could pull this off.
There’s something sweet (and slightly Alteria-ish) about this little heart necklace, especially on the red cord.
Hellenistic, sure, but also a little early aughts throwback. Give this to your friend who’s been resurfacing her bat-mitzvah jewelry.
A Gimaguas-adjacent pair of star-drop earrings that feel very New Years–appropriate.
The nature-inspired look of these reminds us a little of mom-favorite jeweler Ted Muehling — and by extension would make them a great gift for your mom.
For your best friend, a pair of heart earrings that look a lot like chilies and border on kitsch in the best way.
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