From Taylor Swift to Kate Middleton, the world’s most sophisticated women embrace the elementary allure of letter necklaces – Meghan Markle, Hailey Bieber and Bad Bunny are initial jewellery fans, too

Long before Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber and Bad Bunny made jewellery with letters and numbers a thing again, Henry VIII’s second wife Anne Boleyn wore a pearl necklace from which hung a golden ‘B’
Lily Gabriella, Rachel Boston, The Right Hand Gal and Daniella Draper are among the smaller brands offering letter jewellery – while Dior Joaillerie’s Oui collection has been reinvented as Dioramour

Few trends are as sentimental or, indeed, timeless, as initial jewellery. The personalised style has been an enduring favourite since the 16th century when Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, famously wore a pearl necklace from which she hung a golden “B”.

Today, heritage houses and independent designers alike are bringing modern updates to personalised jewellery with enchanting designs and strong aesthetics, spanning gemstone initial charms, chokers and bracelets in enamel, pearl, and pavé diamond; and stunning keepsakes that stretch beyond single initials to meaningful words and phrases spelled out in the finest metals. Dior Joaillerie, the high and fine jewellery division of the French fashion house helmed by Victoire de Castellane since 1999, has championed precious lettering since 2005 with the release of its Oui collection. A ring, available in yellow, white or pink gold, along with a necklace, bracelet and earrings, spell out “Oui” as if drawn by hand, with a small diamond dot on the “i”, each letter elegantly curled like a strand of thread in a nod to the maison’s storied ateliers. In 2023, the collection was reinvented as Dioramour with new novelties that featured the words “Je t’aime” (“I love you”) and “Toi, moi” (“You, me”).