2024 Jewelry Trends:
The Tortured Poets

When Taylor Swift announced her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, as she accepted the award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2024 Grammys, Swifties around the globe immediately started coming up with theories about it from the tracklist. They looked for Easter Eggs in the black and white photo on the album cover. They hatched theories based on the release date. In the jewelry department, there were also clues about Tortured Poets in the grand-tiered black and white diamond Lorraine Schwartz necklace Taylor wore to the event.

The jewelry, as well as her white corseted Schiaparelli gown and long black gloves, revealed a modern take on a British period drama. Black diamonds suggested something a little ominous. Combined with the white diamonds, the two stones reflected the album cover art. The natural white diamonds also echoed Taylor’s lyrics in her song “Bejeweled,” “What’s a girl gonna do? A diamond’s gotta shine.” And she will shine even when she is going through some things.

Taylor’s star power is such that she alone can ignite a trend or fully magnify one that’s lingering in the atmosphere. And the Grammy necklace did indeed amplify the style of jewels worn by a couple of women in Taylor’s squad. At the Grammys, Lana Del Rey had on 19^th century cluster diamond earrings with a black dress and a big black hair bow. And Zoë Kravitz, who became close to Taylor when they were both living in London during the pandemic, has long been a fan of the 18^th century Georgian inspired jewels of Jessica McCormack, featuring natural diamonds in blackened gold cut-down button-back settings.

Emily P. Wheeler

Marlo Laz

Jenna Blake

Jacqiue Aiche

Nak Armstrong

Nak Armstrong

Jacquie Aiche

Catbird

Maria Tash

In the spirit of Taylor and her friends, not to mention the Swifties, it’s easy to envision a new Tortured Poets jewelry archetype. The look has roots in the past but encapsulates a complexity in modern life and love. Vintage-inspired diamond designs with blackened details are a big part of the genre because the story began in Old London Town where there was once a substantial population of poets.

On occasion, Tortured Poets jewelry has motifs that act as metaphors. Stars, snakes and perhaps even spiders decorate pendants and signet rings. Earrings include delicate diamond studs and little hoops with dangling diamonds. They are worn up the ear in multiple piercings.

Above all there are hearts, but not the kind that look like everything is sweet and light. No, the Tortured Poet’s heart reflects the heartbreak but also the belief in finding true love.

Jemma Wynne

Jenna Blake

Jemma Wynne

Catbird

Marlo Laz

Marlo Laz

Marlo Laz

Ondyn Have A Heart Rainsun Necklace

Nak Armstrong

Nak Armstrong

Jemma Wynne