In a playful twist of fate, Julia Fitzpatrick introduces VEINS, her dazzling jewelry brand, reminding us all that beneath the skin, we’re beautifully the same. With sustainable luxury, inclusivity, and geometric charm, VEINS’ Parisian-crafted pieces invite you to stack and style to your heart’s content. Catch the exclusive interview for L’Officiel Monaco, where tradition dances with innovation, and elegance reigns supreme.
Image: Khalifa Ababacar
What inspired the name ‘Veins’ for your jewelry brand and how does it relate to your brand’s philosophy?
The name VEINS speaks of unity – veins exist within skin, within rock, within nature. Under the surface, we are all the same. The message is one of love for humanity, love for the environment.
Could you explain your approach to sustainability and ethical practices in using recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds?
VEINS exclusively use recycled 18-carat gold. We believe that the most sustainable way to source gold, a finite resource, is to use recycled gold originating from post-consumer gold-bearing products, such as second-hand jewelry. We source our gold according to The Responsible Jewellery Council’s codes of practice system, only buying gold with its ‘Chain of Custody’ (CoC) certification. VEINS diamonds are exclusively lab-grown. These are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds, however their origin is guaranteed. Mined diamonds deplete the Earth’s resources, cause environmental degradation and could originate from conflict zones or used child labour. We source our diamonds from Antwerp, Belgium. They are certified by the International Gemmological Institute (IGI) and are of the highest quality: D-F colour grades and VS1-VVS2 clarity.
Image: AMPM Studio
Tell us about the significance of the octagonal shapes in your jewelry designs.
The octagon is extremely symbolic, the eight sides signify abundance, eternity, peace and love for humanity in many cultures. These values embody the essence of VEINS and our message of unity and love for people and the environment.
How do you blend traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques in creating your jewelry pieces?
As a designer, I love to respect the old whilst embracing the new. Our jewelry is made by hand by a multi-generational heritage Parisian atelier, that also manufacture Hermes and Cartier. They use the traditional lost-wax casting technique, which I love to combine with modern innovations such as 3D-printing and artificial intelligence.
What drove you to launch a jewelry brand with a focus on inclusivity and contemporary luxury?
As a consumer, I had not found a jewelry brand that felt modern, was unisex or had that minimal yet strikingly unique aesthetic. I was put off by the lavish unboxings and the excessiveness. I wanted something beautiful yet functional, luxurious yet quietly conscious.
Image: Laurent Segretier
Could you share some insights into the story and meaning behind your jewelry designs?
I wanted to create designs that were timeless, pieces that could be passed from generation to generation and would still feel relevant. What could be more ephemeral than geometry? These shapes have existed for centuries. Their angles and facets cast shadows and reflections that you won’t find with a traditional hoop ring. I love this juxtaposition of light and dark, echoing the brand’s philosophy of embracing every side of yourself and revealing every facet of who you are. While minimal in essence, I often vary scales and volumes, playing with replication and intricate diamond placements. Our pieces are perfect for stacking and our geometric silhouette effortlessly stands out in even the most eclectic of jewelry of collections.
What can we expect to see in the future from VEINS in terms of new collections or initiatives?
We are working on a beautiful capsule collection of octagonal earrings (with detachable floating diamond charms), and octagonal pendant necklaces and bracelets. We are also releasing a pink diamond collection, an extremely rare stone both in nature and in the laboratory.
Image: Laurent Segretier