Jennifer George custom charm necklace, photo jennifergeorge-nyc.com
Throughout history, charm bracelets and charm necklaces, often personalized with meaningful symbols and mementos, have been worn for protection, to commemorate significant life events, and as a stylish accessory. They are set to make a dazzling comeback.
Celine Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear, photo Fior-Dragone for Gorunway.com
With his superb debut for Celine Spring 2026, Michael Rider brings charm bracelets and charm necklaces into the here and now. Michael even designed a leather jacket with one sleeve entirely covered with metal charms.
Celine Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear, photo Fior-Dragone for Gorunway.com
They won’t be available for months, but wonderful pieces are always available. Then again, nothing beats personalization and customization.
For most women, a jewelry box holds a collection of odds and ends, like earrings missing their mates and trinkets with sentimental value that rarely see the light of day. But for Jennifer George, these pieces are pure inspiration, transformed into unique and charming jewelry.
“The weirdest thing a customer has ever brought in for me to rework are engraved, gold, plaque charms that chronicled a 20-plus-year relationship, with detailed descriptions of sexual encounters with her lover.” – Jennifer George.
Jennifer George custom charm bracelet, photo jennifergeorge-nyc.com
For $495 and up ($4,500), Ms. George creates extraordinary, sustainable charm bracelets (like the one that landed on Oprah’s list of favorite things), necklaces, belts, and cufflinks from her customers’ cherished memorabilia. Sharon Stone, Kaia Gerber, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, and Susan Sarandon are among the celebrities who have worn one of Jennifer’s remarkable creations.
Tziporah Salamon modeling a Jennifer George custom charm belt, photo jennifergeorge-nyc.com
Jennifer will ask you to go through your jewelry box and collect EVERYTHING that you’ve saved over the years. Stray earrings, cufflinks, charms, old Girl Scout pins, coins, beloved pet dog tags, lockets, beads, rings, medals, etc – anything you can think of that you’ve always liked and/or has sentimental value, lost its mate – put in a baggie.
Jennifer George custom charm bolo necklace, photo jennifergeorge-nyc.com
Jennifer takes what you bring her and infuses it with her unique touch. She selects a base chain to put the trinkets on and fills in the gaps with bits and pieces from her fantastic collection. The result is a piece of jewelry that is not just beautiful, but also deeply personal, reflecting your unique story.
“I love the idea of repurposing things and making you look at something, something that you wouldn’t look twice at, in a different light. There’s beauty all around us, it’s just not always obvious, until you assemble it a certain way and with other things.” – Jennifer George.
Jennifer George custom cameo charm necklace, photo jennifergeorge-nyc.com
Given the amount of time we spend on our devices, most people want to wear their charms on their necks, not on their wrists, says Jennifer. So, it’s no surprise that necklaces are best sellers, and they are truly exceptional.
Jennifer George’s charm necklace comprised of 60 charms, talismans, and amulets commissioned for Jennifer Raiser, a founding member of Burning Man, photo jennifergeorge-nyc.com
One great example, more of a breastplate than a necklace, was commissioned by art and antique dealer Sukey Forbes as a gift for her dear friend (and founding member of Burning Man), Jennifer Raiser. Ms. George was given a bag of charms, trinkets, and talismans from over 60 artists, representing two decades of the event, and she had to make sense of it. She named it “The Playa Provides.”
Left, Jennifer George, with Jennifer Raiser at the Burning Man Exhibition at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.
The commissioned piece, Jennifer’s most famous, was the only piece of jewelry featured at The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., during an exhibition called “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man.” The 1996 inaugural coat and dress Jennifer designed for Tipper Gore are also on display in the museum.
Jennifer fell into her accessory business completely by accident. The Parsons grad burst on the fashion scene in 1982, partnering with good friend David Rubin to start Jennifer George Inc. Jennifer’s fashion shows soon became must see events for all the top fashion editors, and her very consistent designs, routed in “classic American sportswear” were sold at the top stores and routinely editorialized on the pages of all the major fashion magazines. I was Jennifer’s editor at Harper’s Bazaar.
Ms. George closed her doors on Seventh Avenue in the late 90s to focus on other interests, including, but not exclusively, jewelry. A former customer asked Jennifer to help clean out her closet. Her jewelry box was filled with items that she never wore, but couldn’t part with.
Jennifer George custom charm cufflinks, photo jennifergeorge-nyc.com
“I threw it all in a baggie and took it home, promising her I’d figure out something to do with all of her sentimental baubles so that she could wear them again. And my first necklace was born”. That was about 25 years ago, says Jennifer, who scours flea markets and tag sales, collecting vintage jewelry, findings, beads, and more, all of which are used to create her unique jewelry and accessories.
Jennifer George custom charm necklace, photo jennifergeorge-nyc.com
Each piece is a testament to the sentimental value we attach to our belongings, and Jennifer’s creations allow you to carry these memories with you in a new, wearable form. Jennifer believes that jewelry boxes tell a story, and she dreams of compiling a book showcasing the jewelry boxes of famous people, such as Meryl Streep.
She would also love to create a web series illustrating, in slow motion, how her laborious process comes together. Meanwhile, Jennifer is busy making her charm sensations and her scarves, which are also sold on her website.
Jennifer is based out of her Upper West Side home studio, but if you don’t live in New York, you can have a consultation over the phone and send her your items; you won’t be disappointed with the result.
For more information, contact Jennifer by email at jgnyc77@gmail.com or call 917-657-2267.
