Jodie Smith
1. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
I’m a trend forecaster, writer, strategist and consultant.
2. HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY?
I started working at an antique jewelry store creating their digital content, from there I kept searching out bigger and better freelance writing projects while gaining experience managing a large social media platform. Then, I designed my website, and started publishing independent articles and reports there, alongside writing for trade publications, and about 3 years ago I created my Instagram account to demonstrate my ‘visual vocabulary’ alongside my writing.
3. WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
San Francisco.
4. WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Durham.
5. WHAT’S THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH?
My Mum’s antique diamond cluster ring - I have loved it since I was 4, and begged her to let me play with it constantly. It originally belonged to my great aunt Charlotte, who had a great collection of jewelry.
6. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT JEWELRY?
I love that it’s wearable sculpture, that it has so many layers of meaning that are truly personal to people, and every person can interpret a piece through their unique perspective. As an art form, it has an extraordinary history across all cultures of the world, but at the same time it’s precious, it’s treasure!
7. DESCRIBE YOUR JEWELRY STYLE.
Retro, androgynous, unexpected. What excites me most is anything that I haven’t seen on anyone else.
8. WHERE DO YOU GET MOST OF JEWELRY FROM?
Most of what I wear every day is antique or vintage family jewelry.
9. WHO IS YOUR JEWELRY ICON/ROLE MODEL?
My Mum – she wears diamond and gold rings on most fingers, and each piece in her incredible costume jewellery collection means as much to her as her fine jewellery. She buys on instinct, loves big, bombastic pieces and vibrant colours, and doesn’t care about anyone else’s opinion (except maybe mine, a little!)
10. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STONE?
Neon green diamonds and sphenes.
11. DO YOU HAVE A PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY YOU WEAR EVERY DAY AND IF SO, WHY?
A pair of slim but large gold hoops – my Mum bought them as a teenager in the 70s, and through our joint efforts they’ve been partied in, slept in, and travelled the world so much they’re now totally asymmetrical.
A gold 70s flat curb chain, given to me by a dear family friend.
My wedding ring, which originally belonged to my grandmother.
My great grandmother’s twin sapphire engagement ring.
My great aunt Charlotte’s diamond cluster ring, which I wear as an engagement ring, as I still haven’t found my ‘forever’ ring (even though it’s been 3 years since I got engaged!)
12. HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL WHEN YOU WEAR YOUR JEWELRY?
Powerful, complete, the best version of myself. I’m usually wearing pieces from 4 or 5 women in my family, so I have a deep sense of connection to them, and rarely take them off.
13. LAST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU BOUGHT AND LOVED?
I just bought a big Lorette Colé Duprat lucite bangle which I’m wearing on my upper arm. It looks a little like a sex toy, a little like a sculpture, and it’s definitely the coolest thing I’ve bought so far.
14. THE BEST JEWELRY GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED?
An antique turquoise bomb ring from Métier in San Francisco, my husband bought it for my last birthday after he saw me share it on Instagram. He knew I fell in love with it because it looks almost identical to my grandmother’s costume ring that got broken during my university days.
15. THE THING YOU ARE COVETING NEXT?
I do want to commemorate recent career achievements with a serious piece soon, and Ming Lampson has a giant cocktail ring with a 28ct fiery garnet that I completely fell in love with recently, but I think it’s too incredible for me to own yet. I feel that I need to be living my most glamorous life to deserve it, so I’m hoping it will wait a little while for me!
16. WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?
A hummingbird: small, always darting from one thing to the next, colourful, loves flowers. One of the single greatest pleasures in moving to San Francisco is seeing hummingbirds every morning in the park.
17. FAVORITE FOOD?
Impossible burgers.
18. LEAST FAVORITE FOOD?
Banana.
19. WINE OR CHEESE?
Cheese, specifically comté.
20. COFFEE OR TEA?
Tea, because I can’t drink coffee.
21. YOGA OR BOXING?
Yoga.
22. FAVORITE SEASON?
Autumn.
23. FAVORITE CITY?
London, but New York is a very close second.
24. SUPERPOWER OF CHOICE?
Cloning myself so I can get more done.
25. SECRET SKILL?
I have disturbingly well-tuned gut instincts for all sorts of things, to the point where my predictions can spook myself and others a little. It’s been that way since I was a child.
26. WHEN DO YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
When doing a difficult new project that’s far out of my comfort zone, stretching my brain’s capabilities.
27. YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Being bored / being boring.
28. HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP FROM A LOW DAY?
Dancing and practicing gratitude. Such a California stereotype!
29. WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
The first piece my husband bought for me – it was intended as my engagement ring, but I lost some weight and it can’t be re-sized, so now I wear it on my middle finger. It’s a vintage tension-set solitaire diamond in a serious, chunky, wide band, so it’s a heavy piece that makes its presence known to me when I wear it.
30. WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
My wedding ring – it belonged to my Maternal grandma - who was a fiercely vibrant, strong woman - it was the first thing my Mum passed on to me so it’s been with me longest of all, and I’m fortunate enough to wear continue to wear it as a symbol of my own incredibly loving and supportive marriage.
31. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Trust your instincts and be brave.
32. WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?
I barely buy any jewellery at the moment, I’m so picky, always looking for something I’ll genuinely love forever. I take investing in pieces really seriously.
33. WHAT DOES ‘JOY’ MEAN TO YOU?
Love, sunshine and dancing.