Refresh your ‘neckmess’ with these 10 Scandi jewellery brands

Here in Scandinavia, the jewellery heritage is very much rooted in the design traditions of “less is more” and “simple reigns supreme”. Anything ornate used to be viewed as too ostentatious. But now, along with changing cultural attitudes, it is increasingly accepted to show off more flamboyant jewellery.

Here's our pick of the 10 best from across the region:

Copenhagen-born, based and trained jewellery designer Ziva Lysholt Azoulay combines an intense interest in cultured pearls with her Middle-Eastern roots in creations of luxury. Each piece of handcrafted jewellery has its own unique story to tell, and depending on collection, the materials range from sterling silver to 14 karat gold, set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and various other appealing gemstones.

Akva Jewellery is a Danish brand founded by Tascha Nielsen, Olivia Bohl and Cecilie Flye, who met while completing their academy profession degree in jewellery at the Copenhagen School of Design and Technology. Today, the trio designs and manufactures jewellery in recycled precious metals; jewellery dominated by a fluid minimalist design language inspired by elements, textures and shapes found in and around the sea.

Bulgarian-born Ekaterina Savova is the Danish goldsmith behind Savova who creates nature-inspired, whimsical-style jewellery laced with sparkling gems, including everything from tourmaline to blue sapphire. The jeweller says she determines which particular gemstones to use in her pieces by attuning herself to the language of her stones – it is as if they whisper to her what kind of jewellery they want to be crafted into, and the results are equally intricate and diverse. “The gemstones tell me exciting stories from distant countries and the depths of the Earth,” she says.

When architect Caroline Sillesen founded her brand Corali in Copenhagen in 2017, it was with sustainability and local production as core values. The jewellery reflects Sillesen’s love for peculiar sculptures and objects, architecture as well as her fascination of the ocean – a place where everything is quiet and time doesn't exist.

Hanrej is a Danish jewellery and accessories brand whose clean designs and pared back pendants will suit the jewellery minimalist perfectly. Hanrej jewellery – made of either recycled sterling silver, gold-plated silver or recycled 24 karat gold (only on order) – knows no gender, preferring instead to stay original, entertaining and emotionally evocative.

Sophia Brand is a traditionally-trained goldsmith, who works in Oslo. The goldsmith craft, design and quality are the concepts that she determinedly upholds in her production. In addition to such classic pieces as engagement and wedding rings, Brand’s heart beats for unique pieces, made on order. She uses all sorts of gemstones – including blue aquamarines and morganite – and cultured pearls, supplemented by synthetic cubic zirconia.

As a multidisciplinary creative studio located in Oslo, Mold Atelier – made up of stylist and designer Linda Christiansen and art director and photographer Mikal Murstad Strøm – are making their names known. The duo develops their own jewellery as well as visual storytelling and content for other brands. Mold Atelier’s jewellery is dominated by silver, gold and freshwater cultured pearls.

With the humoristic tagline “fighting boredom since 1981,” Stockholm-based brand Ennui Atelier merges accessory curation with fine jewellery design. The focus is sustainable luxury, which is pursued through the sourcing of gemstones from conflict-free zones, and a refusal to engage with mass production. The style can best be described as contemporary versatility.

Based in Stockholm, Maria Nilsdotter offers modern heirlooms of enduring beauty that transcend generations and trends. Nilsdotter’s dark and sparkling universe is inspired by a melancholic Nordic nature and folklore mythology, filled with wondrous creatures, gothic undertones, and unexpected twists. The pieces incorporate elements of mystery and nocturnal surrealism, meant to be worn as everyday armour.

Master goldsmith Eero Hintsanen may have been working professionally as an artist, designer and goldsmith since 1999, but he is truly finding his stride now at his studio in Lahti, Finland. His unique works of art carry an old-world mystique with aesthetics absorbed from the Finnish countryside, old myths, legends and folklore.