Name necklaces, but with artful hand-lettering, as opposed to a generic pre-made font à la Carrie Bradshaw, are making a comeback.

On Etsy alone, you’ll find dozens of designers creating bespoke personalized jewellery. Here in Toronto, Love of Mine is the place to go if you fancy the idea of seeing your monacle set in metal. You can choose from yellow or white, but we think a 24-carat gold nameplate pendant on a delicate chain is the only way to go.

It’s chic, timeless and well, just like you. —Athena Tsavliris

Love of Mine, 781 A, Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-368-4999, www.loveofmineboutique.com

Remember that girl in middle school who wore spikes, skulls and daggers in her ears? Well, she ditched her biker boots for ballerinas, and these days, barely wears any jewellery at all.

When she does she'll choose quirky little studs ($32)  from Toronto’s Mehoi. She’s got a pair of croissants and a couple of chewed bones, plus a very cute version of her old skulls.

Now all she needs is a boyfriend to buy a rocket pin ($15) for. —Athena Tsavliris

At Magic Pony, 680 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-861-1684, www.magic-pony.com

We don’t know much about Mexican folklore, but these charms look like they’d safeguard us from even the most menacing of Mayan spirits.

A modern spin on traditional Mexican masks, the wearable sculptures (from $55) are made right here in Toronto by Mexican native, Tania Orozco. Each one is hand-painted and embellished in multi-hued swarovksi crystals. They’re kitsch, in a good way, and should fend off the meanies, at the very least. —Athena Tsavliris

www.visamexicana.com

Nothing amps up an outfit like statement jewellery, and these bold mixed media necklaces (from $120) from New York designer Caitlin Mociun are top of my current lust list.

The product of a partnership with Brooklyn-based ceramicists Katy Krantz, each one-of-a-kind creation combines ceramic with brass and leather or waxed cotton for an effect that is quiet yet striking.

Wear it over a simple white tee. This stand-alone piece needs no supporting role. —Athena Tsavliris

At Ewanika, 1083 Bathurst St., Toronto, 416-927-9699, www.ewanika.ca

Friendship bracelets, the kind you might have swapped on holiday with your BFF, are having a moment. Only, this time, they are all grown-up.

Think bling, baubles and fancy 18-karat gold buckles. This one ($85)from Toronto jeweller, Biko is the ultimate grown-up friendship bracelet with colourful silk threads woven through a chunky-metal chain.

It's the perfect accessory for a late summer camping trip—say, a Clayoquot overnight with your new BFF. —Athena Tsavliris

www.ilovebiko.com

I wear two simple, raw-pearl rings: one white, one a sun-bleached black. Everyone asks who made them, and I always say I can't remember. But I've had a twinge of heart, guys, and I'm ready to 'fess.

The perfectly imperfect pearls, balanced on a slender sterling-silver ring, are by Vancouver jewellery line Mindan's. She makes them in ivory, pink, grey and black; separately, they're a minimalist statement, and two together are magic. Surrounded by faddish, faux-punk jewellery, they look unfussy and—dare I say—unique.

These aren't your grandma's pearls. —Sarah Nicole Prickett

$50 at the Future of Frances Watson, 1390 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-531-8892, www.thefutureoffranceswatson.blogspot.com

Some girls want diamonds. Some girls want thorns.

Jewellery inspired by the iconography of rock, roll and religion: that's Speech. Designer and self-taught silversmith Michael Mercanti takes impressions of rose-thorns, tree bark, bones and more. Then he makes them hardcore pretty. An acid coral double ring is $200; a branch cross is $150; a delicate, dangerous crown of thorns is $500.

It's the right stuff to toughen up vintage slips and lace, all summer long. —SNP

At Carte Blanche, 758 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-532-0347, http://ssspeech.com

The best thing we saw at LG Fashion Week? A rock crystal necklace at Chloé comme Parris, broken and scattering bits of magic all over the runway. We wanted to scoop them up and take them home for luck.

Luckier still, the twee, romantic jewellery line Foe & Dear sells little rock-crystal pendants for just $50 each. Designer Katherine Huie uses old gold chains to make each piece, so no two are quite the same. Bonus: that whole warding-away-of-danger thing. Should that not suffice as protection from evil, layer with garlic bulbs on strings. (No, not quite serious.)

At LAB Consignment, 15 Ossington Ave., Toronto, 416-302-6739, labconsignment.com and Etsy.

We know one shouldn’t judge a brand by its name, but how can you not fall in love with a moniker like Maude & Colette?

 
With references to the creator's grandmothers, this line of Toronto-made jewellery ($50-$250) lives up to its fabulous name.
 
Pick from delicate stacking rings, 1/2 love knot pendants or silver nuggets for your ears. It’s everyday jewellery that’s simple, stylish and affordable.
 
A precious investment, indeed.

Available at Robber, 863 Queen St. W., Toronto, 647-351-0724, http://robberstore.wordpress.com/

Remember when Valentine's Day meant chocolates and cute cards, not baking 30 sugar cookies for a kindergarten class and ransacking your unmentionables for a pair of underwear without an elastic waist?

Bring back that loving feeling with the Colorblock Hearts Dome Ring by Marc Jacob ($90.90). Slip this playful dome ring on your finger when you want to show the world you've got plenty of heart—and fabulous taste.

At shopbop.com

And about those sugar cookies... check out our Editors' Diary for an icing recipe from CTV anchor and uber-mom Tamara Taggart. See more here.