Gioia

Gioia is Italian for “joy,” and no matter whether you’re giving or receiving, pieces from this Manhattan jeweler certainly deliver just that. Gioia’s by-appointment-only boutique was founded in 1997. Owner Rafaela Amini and his collaborator, Parisian designer Michel Vassilief, create unique statement pieces that add dazzle to any look. Like other French jewelry designers, such as those at Boucheron and Schlumberger, Vassilief contrasts stones of various colors and sizes with diamonds to create bold combinations that command attention.

     Some Gioia designs feature abstract geometric shapes, while other, more whimsical creations might resemble a feather, a seahorse or even a jellyfish. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches and rings have a vintage-inspired — yet thoroughly modern — aesthetic. Specific designs from other luxury jewelers are often easy to spot (and equally easy to copy), but Gioia pieces stand apart. They’re the perfect adornment for a woman who’s discovered her own confident style.