Diamonds at your fingertips

From fine jewellery to fingernail embellishments: explore why celebrity-loved brand, Jessie V E, is choosing to add sparkle to the nail sector

Her stunning jewellery creations have been worn by Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue and Hollywood superstars, and now Jessie Evans is catching the eyes of nail stylists with luxe gemstones for fingertips.

Jessie Evans

The London-based fine jewellery designer established the Jessie V E brand in 2015, creating sentimental and personalised pieces in 18ct gold and platinum with diamonds. Inspired by the Victorian era, bespoke creations can sell for up to £12,000 – but nail clients can enjoy wearing Jessie’s nail embellishments for £65 per piece.

The entrepreneur has enjoyed nail art for many years, showing off her manicures when posting snaps of her collections on social media. Her venture into nail jewellery: the Diamonds At Your Fingertips range, is a nod to Jessie’s debut Constellation collection of rings, necklaces and earrings. She comments: “The conception of reusable fine jewellery for nails was organic, as the stars aligned and brought my ideas together. The Diamonds At Your Fingertips launch is a hark back to my first collection, with natural diamonds, sapphires and 18ct gold stars adorning nails like a crisp night sky.”

Jessie developed the nail charms and their application and removal process alongside her nail tech, Abbie Scarpa. As diamonds are forever, the duo sought to ensure the ‘robust and beautiful’ nail

accents could be removed and reapplied to last a lifetime. The idea is that clients purchase their desired nail gems, before taking them to their manicurist to apply.

“My goals with the Diamonds At Your Fingertips collection are to offer conversation starters, showcase the creativity of nail techs and their clients, and make people feel special.”

“The nail jewellery should be adhered with a UV/LED curable rhinestone glue, and a soak-off gel top coat should be applied over the entire gem before curing,” Jessie shares. “Unlike many rhinestones, diamonds don’t lose their sparkle, and the application of top coat over the chosen embellishments ensures a smooth nail finish and keeps them secure.”

To remove, soak-off procedures for the chosen nail system should be followed, and the charms gently pushed away from the product with a wooden cuticle pusher. “If the nail jewellery is removed in a similar way to traditional rhinestones: with pliers or cuticle nippers, the integrity of the stone setting is put at risk,” Jessie reveals. “Over time, this may cause the diamond or gemstone to become loose and be lost, or the gold may be scratched.”

The road to sparkle

Jessie has launched into the nail jewellery arena with what she describes as a ‘simple and playful’ collection. “I want people to get used to the idea of wearing reusable diamond charms on their nails before I introduce more complex designs,” she shares. The first pieces were developed over many months, with various application techniques trialled to ensure durability. “A vital element of the design process was ensuring that the materials and stones used would withstand the use of acetone,” Jessie continues.“Diamonds and sapphires are not affected, but opals and pearls do not retain their finish.

“Jessie V E nail diamonds and gems are ideal for the bridal market, with the sapphire piece being a subtle yet stunning choice for ‘something blue’. However, I’m discovering many ways to wear the pieces, such as including them as accents within hand-painted nail designs,” Jessie adds. “The smiley face charm with diamond eyes has a special place in my heart, and it’s exciting to look down at my hands and view the diamonds sparkling. I can’t wait to see how nail artists use the range.”

Jessie plans to bring elements of her brand’s existing jewellery pieces into the nail range, with bigger stones and platinum options. While she hopes celebrities have the same reaction to the nail charms as they do her fine jewellery creations, she is most excited to see them worn by the public as sentimental adornments. “The nail jewellery is perfectly priced to be bought as a gift or to mark a special occasion, as well as ‘just because’,” she shares.

“Daily diamonds are my favourite diamonds!”