Grab Your Girls, Jessica Alba Has A Clever Jewelry-Buying Hack For Your And The Crew
If there’s one fashion rule we are officially leaving in the past, it’s the idea that fine jewelry belongs in a velvet box until a black-tie event or a milestone anniversary rolls around. Life is too short. Luxury should be lived in. And who better to champion that vibe than Jessica Alba?
The actor, founder, and ultimate master of the effortlessly elevated aesthetic was just named the new face of Gabriel & Co., and frankly, the partnership makes total sense. This isn’t a standard, detached celebrity endorsement. Alba was actually a fan of the brand’s signature Bujukan gold-and-diamond bracelets long before the campaign came knocking.
“I really like layering pieces of jewelry, and I already had Gabriel & Co., bangles in my day-to-day rotation,” Alba exclusively tells Refinery29. “When they asked me to be part of the campaign, I was like, ‘Yeah, totally, because I’m a fan already.’ I think they’re so easy to wear casually or dressed up.”
For Alba, the magic of the collection lies in its approachability. It’s gorgeous, artisanal luxury (every piece features a unique serial number and GIA-verified natural diamonds). But it somehow doesn’t feel too precious to wear with a basic tee.
One of her favorite standouts from the campaign? A geometric, modern chain link necklace that she styles in the most Refinery29 way possible. “I love it with a white T-shirt,” Alba says. “It’s a cool chain link necklace in a square shape, with a little diamond piece in the middle, and it’s just easy. You can wear it every day, but then if you’re going out at night, you can throw on your stack and it layers perfectly.”
She also has her eye on a graduating Bujukan wine necklace that mimics the fluidity of a snake. Her styling tip? Save that one for a plunging neckline or a sharp piece of tailoring.
On Gifting Yourself & Collective Friendship Stacks
We’ve all been there: staring at a stunning investment piece, waiting for a milestone, a partner, or a “perfect moment” to justify the splurge. But Alba is a firm believer that women shouldn’t wait around for someone else to buy them the jewelry they want.
“I am definitely that person,” Alba laughs. “I really love getting pieces for myself when I get a job, or if I hit some kind of emotional milestone. I’m a big believer in gifting yourself.”
But if you are looking to celebrate someone else, Alba dropped a brilliant shopping hack that we are immediately stealing for our own group chats: collective gifting. “My friends and I will all go in together to get a friend a nice piece of jewelry,” she shares. It’s the ultimate way to help a girlfriend build a fine jewelry collection without anyone having to shoulder the investment alone.
Yes, You Can (and Should) Mix Your Metals
If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror panicking because the hardware on your favorite handbag is gold but your earrings are silver, Alba is here to give your permission to let it go. When asked about her stance on the great metal-mixing debate, her answer was immediate: “Oh yeah, all day long. Love.”
For Alba, the rules are simple: white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and diamonds are all fair game to wear simultaneously. “I think it’s all allowed,” she says. “I think it’s just about doing it, and then keeping it moving.”
While she notes that she pays a little more attention to matching materials when it comes to clothing details (like buttons on a blazer coordinating with a belt or shoes), when it comes to the jewelry stack itself, anything goes. “As long as you have a taste of that metal in your stack, I think it’s fine.”
Where to Start Your Collection
If you’re looking to make your very first fine jewelry investment, choosing a starting point can feel overwhelming. We asked Alba to play personal shopper and pick the ultimate starter piece from the Gabriel & Co. collection.
Her verdict? Go for the versatile chain link diamond necklace or a signature Bujukan bangle.
“The necklace, just because you can wear it dressed up or every day, completely on its own,” Alba recommends. “Or one of the Bujukan bangles, because it’s so easy to wear with your watch or other bracelets. People love stacking bracelets. It’s an easy one to wrap your head around.”
The takeaway? Buy the diamonds. Wear them with your favorite worn-in white tee. Mix your metals. And stop waiting for a “special occasion” to feel a little fancy.
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