Explore the essence of summer 2026 jewelry with Esty Grossman, inspired by the beauty of the ocean and modern elegance.
Sea water in the hair, salt on the skin, gold and silver catching the light – summer 2026 jewelry celebrates the sea in all its facets. Ocean-inspired pieces define the season: salty breezes, flickering sunlight, and a sense of endless expanse merge with modern elegance, creating an aesthetic that transforms vacation dreams into couture-ready reality. Shells, pearls, coral, and organic shapes dominate, while sculptural silhouettes adorn necks, ears, hands, fingers, and ankles.
Haute Joaillerie is embracing the ocean’s allure. Tiffany & Co. interprets summer jewelry with maritime sophistication, while Boucheron employs innovative 3D technologies to translate the movement of waves into precious metal. Jewelry becomes a snapshot of flowing nature. Along the Côte d’Azur, intimate, personal interpretations of this trend flourish alongside the grand gestures of the major houses.
Esty Grossman: Living Miniature Worlds in Silver and Gold
Esty Grossman lives and works in Cagnes-sur-Mer, finding inspiration where others simply enjoy summer: freediving beneath the waves. Below the surface, she discovers forms, textures, and plays of light that later inhabit her designs. Born in Málaga, Spain, raised in Montreal, Canada, and having spent every winter vacation as a child in Mexico, she travelled widely from an early age.
Art, architecture, and design shaped her formative years and inspired her to become a silver/goldsmith. She studied jewelry design at the École de Joaillerie de Montréal, furthered her training at Escola Massana in Barcelona, and spent ten years designing for prestigious houses, including in the role of Exclusive Jewelry Designer, with all collections signed under her name.
We met Esty in her atelier in Cagnes-sur-Mer to discuss her work and the season’s sea-inspired trends.
The sea seems to flow through your work as more than just an aesthetic motif. What does it personally signify for you – a source of inspiration, a cherished memory, or a way of life?
For me, the passion for the sea and the art of goldsmithing go hand in hand. My work is shaped by a love for the sea, particularly by its forms and movements. I strive to capture these impressions in my pieces.
A major source of inspiration is marine life. Its diversity and beauty continually provide new ideas and creative impulses. Fascinated by movement, I translate dynamism into metal and gemstones. Many pieces appear to pulse with life, as if they have a soul of their own. Organic lines recall waves, water-shaped stones, or the flowing silhouette of seaweed in the wind. I interpret the sea trend without being literal. The ocean is the archetypal space of departure: exploration, sailing, navigating the unknown—it embodies curiosity, courage, and the willingness to cross boundaries.
Does sustainable practice change your design process?
For me, design always comes first. Whether I’m working with new materials or repurposed gold from inherited jewelry, I never compromise on the vision of the piece.
Contrasts define her work: classic or extravagant? Minimalist or playful? Esty chooses the in-between. Her designs are luxurious but never overloaded – complex in construction yet light in presence. Each piece feels like a miniature fantasy world, inviting wearers to lose themselves in the details, escaping the everyday. This emotional depth is what makes her work unique.
How do you combine the highest craftsmanship with a modern, conscious definition of luxury? How do you define luxury?
Luxury is the freedom to wear something – not because of social status, but because it speaks to you personally. Craftsmanship must be flawless, with no compromise. Precious metals respond to the hands that shape them – silver and gold are fluid, noble materials that allow freedom of expression, much like moving through water: you can pierce it, shape it, hammer it, and mold it.
Only the finest materials – platinum, gold, silver, and palladium – achieve this elegance and fluidity. My work focuses on gold and silver to capture this grace.
Is there a material or technique you would like to experiment with in the future?
The Anticlastic Raising technique is a special way of hammering that allows creating hollow forms while shaping them simultaneously. I’ve attended intensive workshops with the master of this technique, Michael Good. Normally, these workshops take place in Puerto Rico, but this year I’ll meet Michael in Paris – much easier to reach! I’m really looking forward to it.
Thank you, Esty, for sharing your insights. It has been inspiring to glimpse your work, your passion for the sea, and your visionary approach to jewelry. We look forward to admiring your creations for years to come.
Maritime Codes: Jewelry Trends 2026
- Shell Jewelry: Must-have necklaces, delicate or bold, adding maritime elegance to minimalist outfits.
- Baroque Pearls & Layering: Imperfect pearls, asymmetrical arrangements, and relaxed layering redefine classic conventions.
- Sculptural Silver/Gold & Ocean Motifs: Summer embraces volume and expression—starfish, octopuses, fish, and seaweed appear in gold and silver, sensual, organic, confident.
- Sustainability as Core Value: Modern luxury takes responsibility seriously. Labels like Esty use recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds, often combined with sea-themed designs. Sustainability is philosophy, not trend.
Trend Highlights
Statement pendants reminiscent of polished pebbles or shimmering shells; bicolor designs that merge silver and gold for a modern, urban maritime look.
Be sure to visit Esty’s website and online store to see more of her exciting range of handmade jewelry. Follow her on Instagram for all her latest news.
Don’t forget the Haut de Cagnes Art en Fête event which takes place on the first Sunday of each month from 11 am to 6 pm, where the public is invited to visit the ateliers of and watch the various artisans at work. Drop in to Esty and see her at work and say hi from us!
CONTACT DETAILS
Esty Grossman Handmade Jewelry
10 Rue St Roch
Place de l’Église
06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer
Tel: +33 (0)6 09 36 54 03
Web: https://estygrossman.com
PHOTO CREDITS
- All photos courtesy Esty Grossman Handmade Jewelry
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