I’ve been noticing an uptick in intergalactic inspiration in jewelry recently – stars, planets, aliens, etc – and I’m super into it. Our universe extends so much further than what’s right in front of us, so why not turn that reality into artistic inspiration?

The latest interstellar jewels to catch my eye are the beauties of Jacquie Aiche’s galaxy inlay collection. I’ve seen this style of inlay before and I always enjoy it, but seeing it used to render extraterrestrial scenes is a whole new level.

I love the dramatic color contrast of the inlaid opals with the dark, infinite background of the galaxy, especially with the subtle grounding touchstone of the Earth at the bottom of the frame. This is a design that puts things in perspective.

Look at those glowing chips of opal, that glorious, dynamic shooting star. And can you imagine how this piece must glow in sunlight? I have yet to see these designs in person, but the contrast of the iridescent inlaid gems with the deep, dark background must be staggering.

I think the big pendants are my favorite, but Jacquie Aiche also gave this collection some fantastic rings. I particularly love the one on the left: I like to think that it’s inspired by the view out of a spaceship’s window. The geometry is stunning.

Does anyone else remember their Schoolhouse Rock? I’m hearing Interplanet Janet playing in my head while I look at these.

And I have fond memories of that song: I was in a live musical version of Schoolhouse Rock once, and my crush (the dreamy guy who sang Conjunction Junction) danced with me backstage during Janet. That was as far as our romance went, but it was pretty momentous for my love life at the time.

Jacquie Aiche is a big name in jewelry, but it’s a brand I often forget about. I don’t mean any disrespect to the designs – the jewelry is fantastic – but if you’ve ever seen their advertising or social media, you know that they’re really into the naked supermodel approach.

No hate to the ladies – they’re beautiful and it’s certainty distinctive branding – but when a brand presents their designs exclusively in this way, the message I personally receive from all of those hipbones and thigh gaps is this jewelry is not for women of your size.

I’ve discounted Jacquie Aiche’s work in the past for these reasons, and that’s unfortunate because the jewelry is worthy of attention.

I know that you come here for jewelry, not body positivity soapbox moments, but I also firmly believe that this is an ongoing issue in the jewelry industry and one that is almost never acknowledged…so I will continue to acknowledge it, even thought it would be easier not to.

I’ll end with a message to Jacquie Aiche herself:

Jacquie, your jewelry is beautiful! If you include a woman who is not a sample size in your photoshoots, it will rock my world. Wouldn’t it be powerful to see your designs on different kinds of bodies – especially bodies that more women can identify with? Please consider it.