Diamonds, long revered as symbols of luxury, love, and permanence, have often been treated with an air of precious delicacy—reserved only for the grandest of occasions. But jewelry designer Jessica McCormack is turning that tradition on its head. For her, diamonds aren’t museum pieces to be locked away in velvet-lined boxes. They’re to be worn, lived in, and loved—whether you’re headed to brunch, a board meeting, or the ballroom.
“Diamonds are too beautiful to be stored away and reserved for special occasions,” McCormack told Vanity Fair, echoing a philosophy that has become the bedrock of her eponymous brand. From her signature Georgian-style townhouse showroom in London to her upcoming boutique on New York’s Madison Avenue, McCormack is redefining how women connect with fine jewelry—one quietly opulent piece at a time.
A Legacy Written in Stone and Silver
A Childhood Surrounded by History
Jessica McCormack’s relationship with beauty, craftsmanship, and storytelling began in New Zealand, where she was raised as the daughter of an auctioneer. Unlike many children who spent their weekends watching cartoons, McCormack grew up immersed in the world of antiquities.
“My father’s work exposed me to art and antique objects from a very young age,” she recalls. “It instilled in me the idea of taking something out of its original context to give it a new perspective.”
This concept—of reinterpreting the past for the present—would become a guiding force in her future work.
From Sotheby’s to the Spotlight
McCormack’s formal foray into the world of fine jewelry began in London, in the hallowed halls of Sotheby’s. There, she worked in the jewelry department, surrounded by the kind of pieces most people only glimpse behind glass.
“I had access to some of the most famous pieces of jewelry in the world, including 1920s Cartier, Lalique, and various crown jewels,” she says. “It was incredibly inspiring creatively, but also made me acutely aware of the level of craftsmanship that’s possible.”
While her time at Sotheby’s offered a front-row seat to history, it also revealed a gap—one McCormack felt uniquely poised to fill. She wanted to create heirlooms for the now: pieces that retained the soul of old-world artisanship but were adaptable to the rhythms of modern life.
In 2008, she launched her brand with that very vision.
The Jessica McCormack Aesthetic
A Philosophy of Everyday Opulence
McCormack’s designs embody a distinct tension: they are at once glamorous and unfussy, deeply considered but totally wearable. Her motto? Elevated, but never overdone.
“I design pieces that are casual but elevated, so that my client doesn’t feel overdressed wearing them in the context of everyday life—or underdressed if she were to wear them to a black-tie event,” she explains.
Her jewelry is often described as timeless, but in truth, it transcends time altogether. Each creation feels both antique and futuristic, thanks to thoughtful details like her iconic Button Back setting or the use of hand-milled edges inspired by Georgian architecture.
Versatility Through Craftsmanship
At the heart of McCormack’s work is a belief in the importance of versatility. Jewelry shouldn’t just be something you admire—it should be something you live in.
“I’ve developed a design approach that allows pieces to be both glamorous and easy to wear,” she says. “Versatility is very important to me.”
The process begins with sketches—McCormack’s way of translating ephemeral inspiration into physical form. From there, she collaborates closely with her London-based workshop, a team of master artisans who bring each concept to life.
“We refine and refine designs until they are perfect,” she says. “The devil is in the detail.”
Redefining the Modern Heirloom
Iconic Pieces With a Twist
One of the best illustrations of McCormack’s playful elegance is the 5.02-carat East-West Cushion Diamond Button Back Ring—a piece the brand’s website calls “a literal twist on a classic solitaire.” Set horizontally, rather than in the traditional north-south orientation, the diamond takes on a completely new energy.
This is what McCormack does best: she honors the traditions of jewelry-making while pushing the form forward. Whether it’s incorporating hidden hinges for functionality or reimagining Victorian motifs with a contemporary spin, her pieces always offer a touch of the unexpected.
Jewelry That Moves With You
McCormack’s signature settings—particularly her Button Back technique—are a revelation in both form and function. Unlike conventional mounts, which can be bulky or restrictive, the Button Back allows for comfort and flexibility without compromising elegance.
“Jewelry should move with your body,” McCormack explains. “It should feel like an extension of you.”
It’s an ethos that has won her legions of admirers across generations and style tribes.
A Celebrity-Fueled Rise
A Golden Moment with Zendaya
In January, Jessica McCormack became a name on everyone’s lips when Zendaya debuted a show-stopping engagement ring on the Golden Globes red carpet. Sleek, unique, and instantly covetable, the piece sparked a flurry of online searches and social media sleuthing. Who was the designer?
The answer: McCormack.
The attention, while intense, was unsurprising. Her pieces are already beloved by a cadre of stylish A-listers including Jennifer Aniston, Dakota Johnson, and Victoria Beckham—all women known for their refined taste and minimal-meets-maximal aesthetic.
Zoë Kravitz: Muse, Ambassador, and Creative Force
If Zendaya’s ring was McCormack’s mic drop, her partnership with Zoë Kravitz was the encore. In May 2024, Kravitz was officially named the face of Jessica McCormack—a trifecta role as ambassador, collaborator, and muse.
“Zoë is a true creative,” McCormack says. “I have such admiration for her, her perspective, and her creative vision. Her sense of style is incredibly unique and individual.”
The collaboration is more than a celebrity endorsement—it’s a meeting of minds. Both women share a deep appreciation for design that’s authentic, considered, and deeply personal.
Expanding the World of Jessica McCormack
A New York State of Mind
In May 2025, Jessica McCormack will open the doors to her first U.S. flagship store on Madison Avenue—a significant milestone for the British brand.
The space will mirror the London townhouse in both ambiance and ethos: a salon-style environment where clients can browse, try on, and engage with the jewelry in an intimate setting. It’s less about retail and more about relationship-building.
“This expansion is about bringing our world to a new audience in a way that still feels personal,” McCormack says.
A Brand Built on Emotion
Even as the brand grows, McCormack remains deeply connected to the emotional core of her work. For her, the most gratifying moments don’t come from magazine covers or celebrity endorsements—they come from real women wearing her designs.
“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a wonderful range of women wearing my pieces,” she says. “Seeing how they style their jewelry their way is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.”
It’s a testament to her design philosophy: that jewelry, when made with care and intention, doesn’t just sit on the body—it becomes part of a person’s story.
The Future of Fine Jewelry
Bridging the Past and Present
Jessica McCormack’s work operates at a fascinating intersection: old and new, bold and delicate, functional and fantastical. Her pieces don’t chase trends—they create legacies.
This rare balance is what sets her apart in a saturated industry. While many designers focus solely on aesthetics, McCormack builds narrative into each piece, creating what she calls “modern heirlooms.”
“They should feel personal, intimate—like something you’ve always had, even when they’re brand new,” she explains.
An Ever-Evolving Vision
With an eye on global expansion and a heart rooted in craftsmanship, McCormack is redefining what it means to wear—and treasure—fine jewelry.
In a world that often treats diamonds as distant treasures, Jessica McCormack brings them closer to the skin, and closer to life. For her, and for the women who wear her pieces, diamonds aren’t just a girl’s best friend—they’re a part of her identity.
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