Anatomy of Zoë Kravitz’s Impossibly Cool Jewelry Style

Photo credit: Sancho Scott, BFA.com

A few months ago, the Journal of Experimental Psychology published a study that boiled down the essence of what makes a person "cool" to six traits. Although I initially thought it was silly to try to define the x-factor of being chill, I changed my mind when I was thinking about Zoë Kravitz's jewelry style.

In the name of Jewelry Science (and Fun), I've decided to conduct my own study of cool to try and figure out how Zoë does it.

My first thought: Is Zoë’s cool jewelry style hereditary?

Back in the early ‘90s, her mother, Lisa Bonet exuded such ease and originality with her jewelry that she made me want a prominent nose ring just like hers. But I didn't have anywhere near the coolness needed to pull it off and never got one.

Zoë kicked off her Caught Stealing press tour in an outfit that serious Sex and the City fans immediately recognized as a nod to the one Carrie wore when she lost Aidan's dog. One thing Carrie did not have was giant diamond pendant earrings from Jessica McCormick. Photo via the Instagram of Zoë’s stylist @DanielleGoldberg.

In the early 2000s, I had the pleasure of greeting Zoë’s father, Lenny Kravitz, when he visited the office where I worked as an archivist to browse vintage jewels. As he shook my hand, I could clearly see THE cool connoisseurs’ timepiece, a vintage Cartier Crash watch on his wrist, not to mention the layers of chains, rings and earrings.

Like her parents, Zoë has a very cool approach to jewelry styling. Below are some of the most memorable ways she has taken special pieces, classics from independent designers and big Houses and made them totally cool over the course of her career.