For many women, jewelry has become a staple accessory, defining style and identity. It’s also seen as a fundamental element of fashion, suggesting that outfits may feel incomplete without it.

Miami-based Anna Zuckerman, founder of her eponymous jewelry company, understands how jewelry can quickly boost a woman’s confidence and self-worth. And the 48-year-old designer also understands that jewelry doesn’t have to come with a high price tag; it can be both elegant and affordable.

“For me, wearing jewelry is all about confidence and affordability. Not everything should be glamorous and expensive,” said Zuckerman, who was recently in Manila to showcase her sparkling jewelry in a special trunk show at The Gallerie of Rustan’s Makati held last February. She brought in about 200 pieces of her best-sellers from her jewelry line that now carries 4,000 items.

Zuckerman saw the demand for affordable luxury jewelry suitable for everyday use and, of course, budgets. This led her to develop Diamond Coated Crystalline, a groundbreaking method using nanotechnology. This permanent coating gives her designs a natural diamond-like sparkle and features lab-grown gemstones and precious metals at a reasonable price. Each piece is made either in rhodium-plated sterling silver or 18-carat yellow gold to prevent tarnishing. 

“It takes a trained eye to spot the difference,” said Zuckerman. “We created a process of coating synthetic gems with real lab-grown diamonds. It looks and feels like a diamond except you are not paying the price that you would pay for hundreds or thousands of dollars. There is a very good thickness of coating and plating wherein it doesn’t tarnish. It’s hypoallergenic. It has no nickel.”

Zuckerman explained that the Diamond Crystalline process starts by hand-selecting top-grade cubic zirconia, followed by coating it with minuscule particles of lab-grown diamonds. Through a vaporization process under extreme heat and pressure conditions, the entire stone crystallizes, guaranteeing clarity and brilliance akin to diamonds.  

“It’s almost like dental veneers,” she said. “You retain your natural teeth, but they’re enhanced with a porcelain or ceramic coating, giving it a more aesthetically pleasing and natural appearance.”  

It’s in the blood

Zuckerman is no stranger to the jewelry industry. She grew up watching her father (who is now 80 years old), a goldsmith who created bespoke jewelry using the finest diamonds and gemstones. She eventually studied gemology at the Gemological Institute of America.

Zuckerman has been in the jewelry business for more than 25 years now and has been known for designing jewelry for Hollywood celebrities, including Beyonce, the Kardashians, Nicki Minaj, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey and many more.

Nearly six months ago, Zuckerman received a call from Nedy Tantoco, the late chief executive officer of Rustan’s. “She found me under a rock in Florida through US publications. She instantly fell in love with my jewelry. When we were introduced, we connected instantly, as if we had known each other for many years.”

She added: “Mrs. Tantoco sent a representative and told her, ‘Let’s bring Anna to Philippines.’”

Casual yet classy

Zuckerman’s designs are modern and contemporary, embracing femininity, elegance and a touch of class. Each piece of jewelry is crafted with care. “Every ring has an under-gallery, hand-carved, all finished beautifully with platinum. All my gems, especially the yellow gems, look like vivid yellow diamonds,” she shared.

Her casual ones, such as tennis bracelets, rivieres and studs, are her best-sellers. “They never flip,” she emphasized. “My signature design are actually very casual with stackable bracelets and necklaces. Each link is made by hand with a slight curve so when you wear it, they never turn.”

Her studs simply sit right in the middle of the ear because “they have a specific large backing that’s never going to turn.”

Zuckerman believes that all women should accessorize, and fine, affordable jewelry should be accessible to teenagers, moms and even the bride and mother of the bride.

“I believe we should bring old elegance back,” she said. “Don’t leave the house without putting on a beautiful necklace or a pair of earrings to complete the outfit. How many shoes do women need? They should have just as many accessories.”