Jessica McCormack Knows Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

“Diamonds are too beautiful to be stored away and reserved for special occasions,” says jewelry designer Jessica McCormack. That outlook is behind many of McCormack’s exceptional creations. “I design pieces that are casual but elevated, so that my client doesn’t feel overdressed wearing them in the context of everyday life or underdressed if she were to wear them in black tie,” she tells Vanity Fair.

In January, after Zendaya debuted her engagement ring on the Golden Globes red carpet to much fanfare, admirers were desperate to know more about the designer behind the unique piece of jewelry. McCormack, the daughter of an auctioneer, credits her artful eye to the exposure her father’s work gave her to art and antique objects; it “instilled [in] me the idea of taking something out of its original context to give it a new perspective,” she says. After a childhood immersed in antiquity, McCormack began her career in the jewelry department at Sotheby’s, where she “had access to some of the most famous pieces of jewelry in the world, including 1920s Cartier and Lalique, and various crown jewels—and this was very inspiring from a creative point of view—but also made me aware of the level of craftsmanship that is possible,” she says. In 2008, compelled by her upbringing and experience thereafter, she launched her namesake brand with aspirations to meld the technical approach of historic pieces with functionality fit for the modern woman. The allure of such subdued elegance drew in famous fans like Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Aniston, and Victoria Beckham.

“I have developed a design approach that allows pieces to be both glamorous and easy to wear; so the idea of versatility is very important,” McCormack explains. “I will start by sketching the ideas I have for a piece, and I will discuss it with the workshop to determine the most suitable materials and techniques for the design. From there, we refine and refine designs until they are perfect—the devil is in the detail.”

Contemporary nods like the diamond placement on the Jessica McCormack 5.02-carat East-West Cushion Diamond Button Back ring, described as “a literal twist on a classic solitaire” on the brand’s website, distinguish McCormack’s designs. Likewise, it was important to her that the first face of Jessica McCormack reflect the same sense of distinctiveness. Zoë Kravitz was named brand ambassador, collaborator, and muse in May 2024, a partnership McCormack finds “easy and authentic.” “Zoë is a true creative—I have such admiration for her, her perspective, and her creative vision. Her sense of style is incredibly unique and individual,” she says.

In May of 2025, McCormack will open her first New York store on Madison Avenue, and as her eponymous company expands, witnessing her work out in the world remains something of a marvel. “I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a wonderful range of women wearing my designs, and seeing how they style their pieces their way is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job,” she says.

From silk pajamas to diamond gypsets—below, what McCormack can’t live without.