12 Days of Christmas - Kyle Roderick of the Bijoux Review

Please introduce yourself

I am Kyle Roderick, a jewellery journalist who wrote and photo edited BEJEWELED: The World of Ethical Jewelry, published by Rizzoli Books. I also write and edit the design-driven Instagram gallery @bijouxreview

Tell us about when you first discovered that jewellery was a passion

I have been in love with jewellery since I was a child...I recall visiting the Museum of the Native American in the Bronx, New York when I was about seven. I was fascinated by the multi-coloured beading sewn onto moccasins, beaded peace pipes, beaded pouches and more. The Nez Perce, the Lakota Sioux, the Crow....these tribes designed jewellery made with beads that told stories about their lives...their cultures, their horses, their flowers...this is my primal introduction to jewellery and to this day, I can remember how sad I felt that the beadwork was in a museum rather than with the tribal peoples. As an adult I worked at the Gemological Institute of America as a writer and photo editor, where I got to view, handle and photograph many high-grade diamonds, pearls, rubies and other coloured gemstones, as well as antique jewels. This fed my jewellery passion and greatly enhanced my knowledge.

Which piece of jewellery would you never be without during the holidays, and why?

My mother had some intriguing jewelry from Venice-- exquisite 1950s colored Murano glass beads-- that she let me turn into jewelry. She had sterling silver 1950s mid-century modern pieces as well as antique cameos...pieces from Tiffany & Co. that were sterling silver. If I could have, I would have lived inside my mother's jewellery box.

Which piece of jewellery would you put under your tree… for yourself?

I simply couldn't choose just one piece of jewellery for myself. Impossible. But I'd settle for a 15-carat Asscher cut diamond ring.

If you could share one piece of your jewellery with anyone - what would you share and with who?

I would share a friendship bracelet woven by me...out of 18-karat gold wire, with any nurse as they are today's heroes.

And which piece from the Covett Vault is first on your list to welcome 2022 with, and why?

The piece from the Covett Vault that I find essential for the holidays is the Alice van Cal Rainbow Journey Bracelet in18-karat rose gold. Festive and merry, this romantic jewel brightens up daytime outfits AND evening clothes. This Rainbow Journey Bracelet is set with a rainbow of coloured sapphires and semi-precious stones. It has a secure clasp for safety...one more thing to love about this bracelet. I love it all.