GEM OF A LADY
Jessica Biel on personal style and vintage jewellery
Rumour had it that Justine Timberlake had given The Sinner star, Jessica Biel, a ring that wasn’t quite right, and the couple took longer to look for one that suited her. Others said that perhaps pre-nuptial agreements were getting in the way. There were so many speculations on the couple’s wedding, which happened in 2012, but the truth of the matter is that both Biel and Timberlake simply take their privacy seriously. They had managed to keep mum about the details of their wedding.
From Bulgari
From Tiffany 2017 Blue Book Collection the Art of the Wid
Biel’s engagement ring is an incredibly beautiful piece, featuring a large centre diamond that appears to weigh approximately six carats. The side stones are aquamarine, Biel’s birthstone. The halo surrounding the centre diamond gives the ring a lovely vintage look, and the uniquely-shaped shanks provide balance to the entire design.
Do you remember when your ears got pierced?
I got my ears pierced when I was three. I don’t know why my mother did that at such an early age. It’s really not synonymous with her style to do something like that, but I’m glad she did. But despite my early start, it took me a long time to get into fancy jewellery.
How come?
I didn’t really have anything of value for a long time. I bought myself my first pair of diamond earrings when I was a freshman in college. That was a big deal. Before that, I grew up wearing lots of friendship bracelets. That was my favourite accessory.
What would we find if we had a chance to peek into your jewellery box?
I do love jewellery. I just started really having an appreciation for them, and I do occasionally buy things for myself. I think that’s a very empowering, fun thing to do as a woman. It’s really nice to be able to do that for yourself. In my jewellery box you would find heirlooms. Not a whole lot of my family have things like that, but I like vintage-inspired pieces. I like pieces with history that come from another time.
What did you buy recently?
I bought myself a vintage ring with tiny, tiny emeralds, almost like a pavé. It’s like a tear shape with little emeralds and diamonds all around it. It’s from the 1920’s and it’s really small and dainty and beautiful.
So you love romantic-styled jewellery?
There are so many lines and designers that I would love to have pieces from. I really love some of the vintage animal jewellery from Tiffany’s, and there are some incredible pieces from Lorraine Schwartz that I like a lot. I don’t have a very extensive jewellery collection, and I hope that that will change. I would really love to collect animal jewellery, like pendants of different animals. It sounds super strange, but I’ve got a real love for that kind of thing.
Can we talk about your engagement ring, which your husband designed?
My engagement ring just blew me away. It’s an enormous 6ct ring. Justin collaborated directly with Leor Yerushalmi of the Jewelers of Las Vegas to create the very personal white gold and black rhodium-plated ring, which also features two aquamarine elements representing my birthstone. Justin recently gave me a beautiful pair of diamond earrings for my birthday — that was amazing.
You chose a beautiful romantic gown by Gianbattista Valli for your wedding. How do you dress in real life?
I’m discovering that I am so tired of wearing tight jeans. I’m over them, I’m done. I love fashion. It’s something that has come into my life a little bit later than some women. I feel like it can be a great tool for expression and creativity and a place to experiment with who you want to be that day.
Do you work out a lot?
I enjoy yoga, a lot of yoga, as well as hiking and swimming. I used to do a lot of dance and ballet just for fun, and I’d like to get back into that. It was very energising and strengthening and also very feminine, which is usually kind of different as to what you do in an action movie. It’s quite aggressive and somewhat masculine in movies, and it’s nice to have a balance of both.
How do you feel about Justin wearing diamond studs?
He wore earrings when he was a teenager, but I haven’t seen him wear them in a long time. He can wear whatever he wants. He looks good in anything! If guys are confident and it’s who they are and they’re not putting something on just to be cool, I say go ahead, wear them.
