When Zendaya appeared on the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet with a diamond engagement ring on her hand, the world took notice. Given her years as a Bvlgari ambassador, the design didn’t seem quite like something you’d find at the Italian luxury label. Instead, the actress went down an independent route. The designer behind that five carat, cushion cut creation? Jessica McCormack, a London-based jeweler who has become a favorite among Hollywood stars and downtown cool girls alike. With the likes of Emma Stone, Margot Robbie, and Zoe Kravitz (who has also fronted campaigns for McCormack) as fans, the brand is giving a modern, youthful spin on diamonds.
Working in jewelry seemed to be inevitable for McCormack. Growing up in New Zealand, her father was an auctioneer and as a result, she was exposed to art and antiques from an early age. At 25 she moved to London, where a stint at Sotheby’s honed her knowledge of gems and metalworking. Then in 2008 she struck out on her own, with a small, by-appointment shop in London’s Clerkenwell. Rihanna would be one of her first clients. Now in 2025, she’s expanded to New York City, with a townhouse on Madison Avenue, alongside an existing Mayfair flagship as well as a concession in Harrods. McCormack plans to open a second U.S store at South Coast Plaza this summer.
Margot Robbie wears Jessica McCormack earrings at the “Wuthering Heights” UK Premiere
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Known for combining antique techniques like Georgian cut-down settings, McCormack’s approach to design is decidedly relaxed and modern while still focusing on craftsmanship — the Mayfair location has an in-house workshop. Such attention to detail as well as thinking of the customer’s everyday needs comes natural to the designer. “I’ve always [believed in] the idea of making diamonds feel truly wearable, so that they can become part of our client’s everyday wardrobe. It’s about balancing refinement with ease – creating pieces that can elevate something as simple as jeans and a T-shirt, while still feeling elegant and versatile enough for more formal moments,” she says. That combination clearly resonates given that her pieces have been spotted on and off red carpets alike. “I feel very lucky to see such a diverse range of women wearing our pieces in their own way, and I love to see how they style our signatures alongside jewelry they’ve collected over time, whether it’s my brand or not.”
As for what’s most popular? The Gypset hoop earrings with their simple gold base and dangling diamond that comes in a variety of carat weights. That customization along with the versatility of the silhouette have become a Jessica McCormack signature. Consider them to be a good entry point to McCormack’s world, should you be in the market for a unique addition to your jewelry box.
