Orman’s Afloat Is an Emotional Anchor in Jewelry Form

“There’s a sense of security and relief, even beauty, in knowing that, when no matter what you do you just keep getting lemons and you’re tired of going it alone, you have a support system that you can lean on.” So begins the introduction to the Afloat collection, a nautical-inspired line from the Istanbul brand Orman.

The collection is based on the marine equipment that keeps a ship afloat at sea, with nods to the rope on an anchor, links on a sail, the shape of a compass, and more. The inspiration is clearly there, but there’s a subtlety to the jewels—the kind that doesn’t insist you know your leewards from your ports, your booms from your bows.

In warm 14k gold or silver, the rings, necklaces, and bracelets are highly wearable, the kind of jewels you can easily add to a stack or a row of necklaces—effortless, but with sentiment that makes them meaningful.

Compass torque necklace in 14k yellow gold with carnelian, $33,500

“Afloat was born during a challenging period in my life that profoundly shook me,” owner and designer Setenay Orman tells JCK. “As someone who is deeply self-sufficient and at ease when I’m on top of things, being unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of 2023 threw me off balance. The suddenness of it all left me feeling very disoriented. During my treatment and recovery, I lost focus, will, and strength, and came to rely a lot more on loved ones for support.”

Anchor wide ring in 14k yellow gold with amethyst, $4,300

Anchor slim link bracelet in 14k yellow gold, $8,000

“Drawing and sketching became my emotional outlet during this time, helping me stay grounded and focused. In the summer of 2023, I spent much of my time by the sea, where I found inspiration in the parallels between nautical equipment and the personal support system I was relying on. The precision, resilience, trust, and stability required in maritime gear seemed to mirror what my support system was providing me.”

Afloat strand necklace with aquamarine in sterling silver, $875

Anchor slim ring in sterling silver, $250

While the meaning of Afloat shouldn’t be lost on anyone, consumers also might be drawn to the collection’s highly current silhouettes—rings that allow for plenty of stacking, a stellar torque necklace, and chains that beg to be worn like a second skin. Orman says she intends for the pieces to feel solid, reliable, and long-lasting.

Sail Link chain necklace in sterling silver, $2,250

Compass ring in 14k yellow gold with agate, $4,900

“All of my collections are rooted in personal experience, but ultimately, they aim to tell universal stories of human emotions, thoughts, and needs,” Orman says. “Though my designs are bold and substantial, they’re not loud or obvious in the stories they tell. My hope is that the sentiment behind Afloat resonates with people just as much as the design itself, allowing each piece to tell a unique story—whether it’s one we wish to share or a personal moment we keep close as a token.”