Favorite Jewelry: Mignon Faget

by Natalie

Do you have any particular symbols or icons that mean a lot to you? The fleur de lis has always held a special place in my heart since I grew up in New Orleans. The fleur de lis is a symbol for many things; the three leaves represent the Holy Trinity (New Orleans is historically a very Catholic city), and it was also the symbol of Jeanne D'Arc (Joan of Arc) who is the patron saint of New Orleans. It probably first became assigned as a symbol to the region back when Louisiana belonged to the French; this is why you often see fleur de lis in other cities such as Detroit, which was also a French colony at one point. After Hurricane Katrina, people saw the fleur de lis as a symbol of remembrance and something to celebrate, and who could forget when the Saints won the Superbowl?

Mignon Faget, who is a fifth generation New Orleanian, has been making the most beautiful fleur de lis jewelry out there (in my opinion) for as long as I can remember, and certainly before that. A few of my favorites are the stud earrings, which are simple and striking:

I also love the simple pendant because I think it's appropriate for all ages, and I love the idea of having something as a child that you're able to wear into adulthood. I think mine was given to me at the age of eleven or twelve, and I still wear it.

This brooch is a little bit different, and I LOVE it... they call this the "Louisiana Iris" fleur.

If you're looking for jewelry that's still pretty New Orleanian, but maybe a little more whimsical, why not go for the crawfish cufflinks?

(I'm pretty sure no one who isn't from Louisiana would really buy these, but for those who are? Perfect.)

She also has gorgeous jewlery that's not necessarily Louisiana specific; my grandmother gave me the silver version of this ring when I turned sixteen and it's still one of my favorite pieces. (It's sad, but it doesn't really fit anymore; I'm holding on to it for my daughters. I did ask about resizing, but Mignon Faget doesn't resize this particular piece because of the design, and I don't really want anyone else to do it. Ah, well.)