Jamaica's Coolest Jewelry

I was in Jamaica last weekend covering a literary festival but, of course, I managed to sniff out a few local shopportunities as well. Some of my favorite finds were the copper, brass, and silver pieces from The Girl and The Magpie. The jewelry designer behind the label, Veronica, (she goes by her first name only) came to the island two years ago by way of Burkina Faso and her home country, Belgium. Now based in the sleepy south coast town of Treasure Beach, she draws inspiration from her pastoral Jamaican surroundings and locally available material, incorporating the lost-wax casting process she learned in Africa and traditional goldsmith’s techniques to craft her versatile mixed-metal pieces. Priced from $10 to $120, The Girl and The Magpie collection is available at Rock House resort in Negril, Callaloo boutique in Treasure Beach, and Reve Jewellery store in Kingston. Check out The Girl and the Magpie's website and Facebook page for online orders.

This brass torque is part of Veronica's Magic Mushroom collection, which she conceived in Africa and completed in Jamaica.

And I love the packaging: an African fabric "envelope"

I'm kicking myself for leaving this offset silver and copper Moon ring behind. J'adore!

These pieces are from the Electric Jamaica collection, fashioned from copper electrical wire.

Make a statement in these drop earrings, crafted from local cactus wood that Veronica gold and silver leafs and then wraps with copper wire.

Here the camera-shy designer models a pair and a Caribbean-cool halter top she made herself.