Lankford’s signature handcrafted style imbues each of her cross pieces, whether a subtle sideways cross embedded in a chain necklace or a delicate Byzantine charm, with a sense of humility and grace that’s beautifully appropriate. Her Heights showroom also carries other designers who work in religious themes. Buffalo leather bracelet with thin gold cross, $385 at Rebecca Lankford Designs.
2Rebecca Lankford
Lankford’s signature handcrafted style imbues each of her cross pieces, whether a subtle sideways cross embedded in a chain necklace or a delicate Byzantine charm, with a sense of humility and grace that’s beautifully appropriate. Her Heights showroom also carries other designers who work in religious themes. Buffalo leather bracelet with thin gold cross, $385 at Rebecca Lankford Designs.
3J. Landa
Oxidized sterling silver brings a modern texture to cross pieces, as do Landa’s unexpected cross shapes on his rings and earrings. For a bolder, more Southwestern look, also check out Richard Schmidt’s hand-hammered silver crosses in store. J. Landa ‘Lynn’ inside-out cross diamond hoop earring, $445 at J. Landa Jewelry.
4J. Landa
Oxidized sterling silver brings a modern texture to cross pieces, as do Landa’s unexpected cross shapes on his rings and earrings. For a bolder, more Southwestern look, also check out Richard Schmidt’s hand-hammered silver crosses in store. J. Landa ‘Lynn’ inside-out cross diamond hoop earring, $445 at J. Landa Jewelry.
5Katie Scott Jewelry
Other designers may dabble in religious and spiritual themes, but they are central to Scott’s collection. Her pieces include meditation rings—a modern interpretation of the rosary—and thorn rings and bracelets to remind wearers of the intermingling of love and pain. She’s also devised endless ways to display the cross, from simple charms to these intricate rings. Crosses band, $235-$295 at Katie Scott Jewelry.
6Katie Scott Jewelry
Other designers may dabble in religious and spiritual themes, but they are central to Scott’s collection. Her pieces include meditation rings—a modern interpretation of the rosary—and thorn rings and bracelets to remind wearers of the intermingling of love and pain. She’s also devised endless ways to display the cross, from simple charms to these intricate rings. Crosses band, $235-$295 at Katie Scott Jewelry.
7Golden Thread
We’re not going to lie, we love the simple elegance of a sideways cross, making them perfect for layering and subtle enough for everyday wear. If that’s not your thing, though, Golden Thread also has plenty of pretty and sleek cross charms. Sideways tiny cross necklace, $240 at Golden Thread.
8Golden Thread
We’re not going to lie, we love the simple elegance of a sideways cross, making them perfect for layering and subtle enough for everyday wear. If that’s not your thing, though, Golden Thread also has plenty of pretty and sleek cross charms. Sideways tiny cross necklace, $240 at Golden Thread.
9Elizabeth Irvine Design
Irvine’s jewelry implies an ‘all paths to God’ mindset that includes both meditation beads, mandalas and the Benedict collection, which pairs colored gemstone beads with the medallion of St. Benedict, chosen because benedictus is the Latin for “blessed.” Turquoise Benedict stack, $279 at Elizabeth Irvine Design.
10Elizabeth Irvine Design
Irvine’s jewelry implies an ‘all paths to God’ mindset that includes both meditation beads, mandalas and the Benedict collection, which pairs colored gemstone beads with the medallion of St. Benedict, chosen because benedictus is the Latin for “blessed.” Turquoise Benedict stack, $279 at Elizabeth Irvine Design.
It would be woefully tone deaf to call crosses a trend. Wearing the symbol of the cross has been a tradition for Christians since the 4th century, but taking the traditional shapes and symbols and interpreting them in a modern way is a newer development. These five Houston designers are bringing both their spirituality and personal styles to bear in their designs, creating stunning new options for those who want to declare their faith and look chic doing it.
Sarah may be a native of Dallas/Fort Worth, but today she’s loyal to Houston. (She still loves the Cowboys.) She joined the Houstonia team in October 2014, heading up fashion, style and design coverage and covering other beats including the local drag queen scene and all things Matthew McConaughey.
A Rice alum, she previously worked for CultureMap and the Houston Chronicle.
