By Holly Tishfield
Celebrity-favorite jewelry designer and industry trailblazer Erica Courtney stopped by Underwood Jewelers in Ponte Vedra Beach on June 19 and 20 to chat with customers and showcase the latest pieces from her Drop Dead Gorgeous collection.
“I’m excited about all of the new jewelry,” Courtney said when asked about her latest updates. “I’m always designing something new, and I feel like this collection is even more different, in a way, and is still coming.”
Courtney’s work is well known for bright pops of colorful gems set in beautifully arranged mountings, often adorned with smaller gems and/or white diamonds. Courtney’s collections throughout the years have been inspired by feminine beauty, whimsical designs and a lifelong adoration of high-end craftsmanship.
Involved every step of the way, Courtney is also referred to as “Indiana Jones in 6-inch heels,” traveling to the farthest reaches of the globe to visit exotic gem mines and bustling markets to source the perfect gemstones for her pieces.
This year, Courtney said she’s particularly excited to exhibit her padparadscha sapphires, which customers can find nestled in intricate settings of rings, necklaces and more.
“This is a very rare find. Padparadschas are the rarest sapphires there are,” she explained, noting that the gem must have a hint of pink and a hint of orange to be classified as a padparadscha. “It took me eight years to collect this many.”
Courtney also said that she is loving the flower-chain necklaces, along with the colored bracelets, which feature a multitude of colorful gems set alongside white pearls in handcrafted wrappings.
“The men’s collection did super well, and we’re working on even more designs,” she explained. “It was sort of a test last year and it did so well that I definitely put it in high gear in January. It’s not here yet, but it will be.”
Courtney has frequented the Underwood Jewelers in Ponte Vedra Beach for several years now in an annual trunk show. Although the trunk show only lasted the weekend, pieces from her collections are available at the store year-round.
