Wendy Brandes Jewelry

Happy Lunar New Year! 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, but you'll enjoy these adorable 18K gold studs much longer than 12 months. These earrings...

This petite 18K gold signet ring was originally designed to be worn on a pinkie, but it can be sized to fit any finger if you like that delicate look. Highly customizable, this ring can be made in 18K yellow, white, or rose gold. You get to pick the letter, number, or emoji/symbol that has the most meaning to you. Symbols that have been created in the past are pictured here, and include a "Venus" sign for women, a Venus sign with cat ears...

Two-stone moi et toi rings are a romantic style dating back to the engagement ring that Napoleon gave to his Empress Josephine. Now diamond engagement-ring versions are worn by pop-culture royals including Ariana Grande and Megan Fox...

Platinum isn't just for engagement rings and the red carpet. This barbed-wire necklace brings the precious metal down to earth. A great everyday necklace with a little edge. Platinu...

This crossed-axe earring design was originally created by designer Wendy Brandes for singer/songwriter Skylar Grey. Wendy gifted Skylar with a pair of earr...

Purrfect for cat lovers, this design is an ode to cat purrents everywhere! Inspired by FitzRoy, an Exotic Shorthair cat who is the boss of Wendy Brandes and ...

Platinum and 18K rose gold "shoulder-duster" earrings make a bold statement while being lightweight enough for you to dance the night away without a care. Only one pair has been c...

Selene was the Greek goddess of the moon, and the inspiration for this elegant pendant. Moonstone. F/G diamonds, totaling approximately 0.45 carats. 18K white gold. 3/4" pendant on...

Let your earlobe do the talking with this 18K rose gold stud earring. Tastefully censored so you can wear it in polite company. Sold as a single, rather than a pair, so you don't hav...

Like many of Wendy's designs, these curved wolf-fang earrings were inspired by a notable woman of history -- in this case, Isabella, the queen consort of Edward II in 14th century En...

Chunky little star studs -- inspired by motorcycle-jacket details -- are perfect for everyday wear. 18K yellow gold with satin finish. 8 mm x 8 mm Made in New York City

Nothing is sexier than a delicate chain on your ankle. This ankle bracelet brings punks up the look with its barbed-wire motif. It's an unusual and subtle use for platinum, which is ...

This listing is for the complete seven-ring "Maneater" ring collection designed by contemporary jewelry artist Wendy Brandes. This series of seven one-of-a-kind, sculptural artworks explores the once pejorative term "Maneater," with fanciful interpretations of creatures winning out over their oppressors or captors. The collection buzzes from well-known whimsical stories such as the Whale and Jonah or the Dragon and Knight to iterations more personal to the artist, such as her ode to her beloved New York City taxi cab, who refuses to pick up a Wall Street passenger. Brandes's taps into her past career as a journalist as she tells intricate stories through the earth's most valuable treasures. Her popular and wry blog has for more than a decade touched on pop culture and feminist ideas, making the term "Maneater" both more potent and, at times, laughable. The artist was first inspired after collecting a bell as a young child, which had a dragon on top, with the knight inside of it -- clamoring against the bell's sheath and defeated. This concept of hidden qualities has long informed her jewelry career, with many pieces including mechanical elements. An avid historian with a particular interest in women's history led her to study Empress Wu Zeitan of China, whom was often referred to as a "dragon lady" during her tumultuous reign. The idea to explore the ways in which women have been perceived as more dangerous than their male counterparts has fascinated Brandes for decades, finally culminating in this high art collection. The eighth and final piece is currently underway and has been in work for more than 18 months. The finale to this deep exploration of women's roles and attachment to jewelry will be the largest of the 8-piece collection. The right of first refusal will be offered upon work's completion to the collector who invests in the full collection. Each piece in the collection was made by exceptional artisans in New York City, using the ancient lost wax casting method. Purchase includes individual, signed story books per item, as well as complimentary gift wrapping. Read about each individual piece below: The Frog & Prince: The Wendy Brandes "Maneater" collection consists of seven one-of-a-kind rings, each of which features a triumphant creature on top, with a tiny man tucked away inside of the band. This is the first ring in this high art jewelry series, which will eventually be completed with an eighth piece. The 18K rose gold frog is perched atop an 18K yellow gold "branch" studded with brown diamonds. inside the band, a diamond-eyed 18K white gold prince is hidden away. The intricate design took my artisans months to complete and we spent hours studying frog varieties before landing on this petite tropical tree frog. As a special touch, we created the frogs out of 18K green gold to emphasize the hue of the cabochon tsavorites. 22.9 grams of 18K rose, yellow, green, & white gold, satin finish. 23 points of brown diamonds. 3 points of white diamonds. 5 points of pink sapphires. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. The Lion & Hunter: This is the second ring in this high art jewelry series, which will eventually be completed with an eighth piece. The 18K rose gold lion is the king of his tsavorite jungle, surveying his world with blue sapphire eyes. The yellow diamonds studding his mane accent the texture given to his lifelike hair. Inside of the band, a diamond-eyed 18K white-gold hunter can only dream of getting close to the big cat. The intricate design took three separate wax molds and the process took my New York City-based artisans months to finish. 30.17 grams of 18K rose, yellow, & white gold, satin finish. 9 points of yellow diamonds. 3 points of blue sapphires. Approximately 25 points of tsavorites. 2 small white diamonds. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. The Whale & Jonah: This is the third ring in this high art jewelry series, which will eventually be completed with an eighth piece. The 18K yellow gold whale with tsavorite eyes surges through a yellow gold sea of blue sapphires. Inside of the band, a diamond-eyed Jonah is hidden, curled into a fetal position as if inside the whale's stomach. The intricate design took my artisans months to finish. 26.1 grams of yellow & white gold, satin finish. 86 points of blue sapphires. 4 points of tsavorites. White diamonds, totaling approximately 50 points. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. Made in New York City. The Bull & Bullfighter: This is the fourth ring in this high art jewelry series, which will eventually be completed with an eighth piece. The 18K rose gold bull is ready to charge atop a yellow gold and diamond stadium. Underneath the band, an 18K white gold matador stands with his back to the viewer, his cape swirling around him. The intricate design took my artisans months to complete and I didn't stop editing it until it was perfect -- even when that meant taking it apart after its initial debut and setting the bull higher in the coliseum. 25 grams of 18K rose, yellow, & white gold, satin finish. 350 black diamonds, totaling 1.48 carats. 79 white diamonds, totaling 0.37 carats. 2 mall rubies. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. Made in New York City. The New York City Taxi Cab & Passenger: The Wendy Brandes "Maneater" collection consists of seven one-of-a-kind rings, each of which features a triumphant creature on top, with a tiny man tucked away inside of the band. This is the fifth ring in this high art jewelry series, which will eventually be completed with an eighth piece. This design is my ode to one of my great loves, New York City. The piece took my artisans months to create, with multiple wax carvings needed to complete the design as I imagined. No detail was spared: You'll even find "I heart NYC" engraved on the bumper. Hidden in the band of the ring, you'll see a Wall Street man in a suit, trying to hail a cab -- it's never going to pick him up. 23 grams of 18K yellow, & white gold, satin finish. 92 yellow diamonds, totaling 0.59 carats. 92 white diamonds, totaling 0.46 carats. 130 black diamonds, totaling 1.04 carats. 2 small rubies. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. Made in New York City. The Pink Elephant & Tipsy Writer: The Wendy Brandes "Maneater" collection consists of seven one-of-a-kind rings, each of which features a triumphant creature on top, with a tiny man tucked away inside of the band. This is the sixth ring in this high art jewelry series, which will eventually be completed with an eighth piece. This is one of the most whimsical designs in the series -- the 18K rose gold elephant stands on a bar of 18K yellow gold and brown diamonds. The elephant is a hallucination of the tipsy writer hidden inside of the band, clasping a wine bottle and a diamond-filled wine glass. The intricate design took my artisans months to complete. 23.6 grams of 18K rose, yellow, & white gold, satin finish. 262 pink sapphires, totaling 2 carats. 174 brown diamonds, totaling 2.15 carats. 3 small white diamonds. 1 small ruby. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. AGTA Spectrum Award...

Inspired by a tiny vintage gold charm, Wendy's double-punning Virginia Woolf Whistle pendant pops open to reveal a little wolf with glittering diamond eyes. And if you want to be a w...

These earrings combine the ancient jewelry concept of Memento Mori with modern-day gem-cutting technologies in the form of black diamonds cut into skull shapes. This set is one of th...

Wendy has always been inspired by skulls, as artists have been for centuries. Skull jewelry is known by the Latin phrase "Memento mori" -- "remember yo...

This fierce statement necklace was handmade in New York City by our expert goldsmiths. The design was inspired by Mary Queen of Scots, cousin to Elizabeth I. Elizabeth's advisors ref...

Surprisingly lightweight for their impactful size, Wendy's shoulder-brushing Cleopatra earrings were inspired by the Nile river and named for Egypt'...

Glamour and punk can go together, as proven by this single 18K barbed wire stud earring, part of Wendy's "Punk Platinum" collection. 18K yellow gold stud earring. 9 diamond rounds ...

Skull imagery has long been used in memento mori jewelry. The Latin phrase "Memento Mori" means "remember you are mortal." In ancient Rome, when a...

Pendant twists from heart shape to oval and back. 18K yellow gold with satin finish. 1.1 carats of white diamonds. 16" chain. Limited-edition, number 2 of 2. Made in New York City. C...

These cufflinks were inspired by the 16th-century noblewoman and queen consort Catherine de Medici. Tradition has it that she was a notorious poisoner and kept her vices inside locke...

This statement ring was created in New York City by our expert goldsmiths. The design was inspired by Mary Queen of Scots, cousin to Elizabeth I. Elizabeth's advisors referred to Mar...

The Wendy Brandes "Maneater" collection consists of seven one-of-a-kind rings, each of which features a triumphant creature on top, with a tiny man tucked away inside of the band. Th...

Inspired by Marie Antoinette's daughter, Marie-Thérèse, this chunky 18K oval pendant represents both pain and strength — Marie-Thérèse was imprisoned and mistreated during the French...

The Wendy Brandes "Maneater" collection consists of seven one-of-a-kind rings, each of which features a triumphant creature on top, with a tiny man tucked away inside of the band. The "Pink Elephant and Tipsy Writer" ring is the sixth in this high-concept jewelry series, and one of the most whimsical designs. Here, an 18K rose gold elephant adorned with pink sapphires stands on a "bar" of 18K yellow gold studded with brown diamonds. The elephant represents the hallucination of the tipsy writer hidden inside of the band, clasping a wine bottle and a diamond-filled wine glass. The intricate design took my artisans months to complete. And yes, the writer's visage is based on Cary Grant, while the concept of the pink elephant hallucination was inspired by writer Jack London. 23.6 grams of 18K rose, yellow, & white gold, satin finish. 262 pink sapphires, totaling 2 carats. 174 brown diamonds, totaling 2.15 carats. 3 small white diamonds. 1 small ruby. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. AGTA Spectrum Award...

Nothing is sexier than a delicate gold chain on your ankle. This one brings some edginess to the look with its barbed-wire motif. 18K yellow gold, satin finish. 48 diamond rounds to...

The Dragon & Knight "Maneater" Ring The 18K-yellow-gold dragon, covered in green garnets and brown diamonds, brandishes a platinum sword in her fangs as she protects an 18K-rose-gold treasure chest, which opens to reveal pearls and other gems. A platinum skull sits at her feet and inside the shank is the 18K-white-gold image of a defeated knight. This intricate design took 9 separate, individually hand-carved wax molds and almost a year for multiple artisans to create. Th Dragon and Knight ring...

This one-of-a-kind ring was inspired by Empress Wu, a 7th century ruler of China. She was the only female ruler of China to refer to herself as “Emperor” during her reign — historian...

This gorgeous ring and earring suite was inspired by the true story of Marie Antoinette. Creating these labor-intensive pieces took months, with each pavé tsavorite being set by hand...

Cat lovers -- this one's for you. This feline pendant was inspired by Wendy's love of her own furry animals, and specifically, by her first-ever cat, FitzRoy. FitzRoy broke the Inter...

The arrowheads were cast directly from an arrowhead that Wendy found in the backyard of her childhood home in the 1970s. (The earrings are miniaturized versions, of course.) The asy...

Medallions are worn to invoke guidance and luck, or remind you of what you've overcome and where you're headed. This pendant combines the ancient jewelry concept of Memento Mori with modern-day gem-cutting technologies in the form of a single black diamond cut into a skull shape. The whole design is filled with markers of the wearer’s life. White diamond baguettes pointing in four directions, invoking a compass. The Latin phrase “CARPE DIEM” is inscribed as a reminder to live life to the fullest each day, no matter which direction that takes you. Because Wendy intended this medallion to speak to the wearer’s personal mantras, the inscription is written in Leonardo da Vinci-style mirror writing, so that the message is clearest when you're looking at your own reflection. 18K yellow gold, satin finish with distressing. Fancy-cut black diamond in skull...

Hatshepsut was an Egyptian queen who, after her husband died, apparently proclaimed herself Pharaoh. While some historians believe that Hatshepsut served as co-regent with her husban...

Two twisting 18K yellow gold and diamond snakes kiss in the center of this darkly romantic serpentine tiara, forming a heart that embraces a large, baroque South Sea pearl. In creating this piece, Wendy paid as much attention to function as to form: the tiara is engineered with space for hair pins that will secure it for a full day of celebration. This wearable art was created in New York City by our top-notch goldsmiths. The design is the latest addition to Wendy's snake-themed Queen of Scots Collection. That motif was inspired by Mary Queen of Scots, cousin to Elizabeth I. Elizabeth's advisors referred to Mary as "the bosom serpent" -- close to the queen of England, and dangerous. More details below: 18K yellow gold totaling 2.3 oz, satin finish. 18K blackened rose gold. 12.8 x 14.3 mm South Sea Pearl. 76 white diamonds, totaling 1/2 carat. 9 points of rubies. Made in New York City. One-of-a-kind. Worn by Victoria's Secret Angel and supermodel Elsa Hosk...

The inspiration for this romantic design design came from "Swan Castle," the name of the childhood home of Anne of Cleves, who was Henry VIII's fourth wife. The necklace was created ...

Wendy has always been inspired by skulls, as artists have been for centuries. Skull jewelry is known by the Latin phrase "Memento mori" -- "remember yo...

The arrowheads were cast directly from an arrowhead that Wendy found in the backyard of her childhood home in the 1970s. The asymmetry is intentional, to reflect the original artifac...

Wendy has long been inspired by skulls, as artists have been for centuries. This type of jewelry is known by the Latin phrase “Memento mori” -- “remember you are mortal.” Wendy interprets it as a call to live life to its fullest. This one-of-kind piece took highly skilled artisans months to create. The onyx was hand-carved in Germany in collaboration with Wendy's goldsmith in New York City, who provided to-the-millimeter measurements. The artist hid diamonds inside the shank, behind the skull, for the ultimate in covert luxury –- a treat intended only for the owner’s eyes, or those confidantes who are let in on the secret. 18k yellow gold, satin finish. Hand-carved onyx skull...

Swivel ring with turquoise center that flips over to reveal carnelian on the opposite side. 18K yellow gold, satin finish. Diamond accents. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. Made in New York Ci...

The arrowheads were cast directly from an arrowhead that Wendy found in the backyard of her childhood home in the 1970s. The asymmetry is intentional, to reflect the original artifac...

26.1 grams of yellow & white gold, satin finish. 86 points of blue sapphires. 4 points of tsavorites. White diamonds, totaling approximately 50 points. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. Made in...

Skull imagery has long been used in memento mori jewelry. The Latin phrase "Memento Mori" means "remember you are mortal." In ancient Rome, when a...

The perfect gift for someone who is naughty AND nice. 18K yellow gold. 14 diamond rounds totaling 0.05 carats. 3/8" wide, 3/16" high. Sold as a single, not a pair. Gold only. Made ...

18K yellow gold, satin finish. 27 diamond rounds totaling 0.12 carats. 3 ruby rounds. Approx. 2" long. Made in New York City. As seen on supermodel Bella Hadid in Paper Magazine. One...

This one-of-a-kind pair of earrings was inspired by the 7th century's Empress Wu -- the only female ruler of China to refer to herself as “Emperor” during her reign. Historians chang...

Inspired by the cool beauty of the moon, this one-of-a-kind ring will never be recreated. The deep color of the South Sea pearl is beautifully offset by the F/G, VS1/VS2 diamonds. Th...

22.9 grams of 18K rose, yellow, green, & white gold, satin finish. 23 points of brown diamonds. 3 points of white diamonds. 5 points of pink sapphires. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. Made in...

The Bull and Bullfighter Ring is the fourth in Wendy Brandes's seven-ring Maneater series, a collection that upends assumptions about power. Each Maneater ring...

23 grams of 18K yellow, & white gold, satin finish. 92 yellow diamonds, totaling 0.59 carats. 92 white diamonds, totaling 0.46 carats. 130 black diamonds, totaling 1.04 carats. 2 sma...

Skull imagery has long been used in memento mori jewelry. The Latin phrase "Memento Mori" means "remember you are mortal." In ancient Rome, when a...

Why not take a precious metal and grunge it up a bit for everyday wear? Platinum isn't just for bridal and red-carpet jewelry anymore! A bonus for people with metal allergies: Platin...

Two one-of-a-kind pieces that are also two-in-one! Wear turquoise or carnelian, depending on your mood. This is a deceptively complicated design with a classic, heirloom look. RING ...

Both of the amethyst drops and all of the tsavorite accent stones were custom-cut for these drop earrings. This labor-intensive design took over one month to make in New York City, w...

The exceptional beauty of the peridots used for these earrings made Wendy decide that this design should never be replicated. Peridot is one of August's ...

The Hathor ring and earring suite were inspired by Hathor, an important — and multitasking — ancient Egyptian goddess. She was the goddess of beauty, joy, romance, dance and incense....

An easy necklace for everyday wear, but with a touch of punk. 18K yellow gold, satin finish. 27 diamond rounds totaling 0.09 carats (E/F, VS1/VS2). 16" including chain and seven "ba...

Like many of Wendy's designs, this starburst pendant was inspired by a brilliant woman -- Queen Elizabeth I. Her artisans in New York City sat with Wendy for hours discussing proport...