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Model Nicole Trunfio Unearths Her High-End, Eco-Friendly Jewelry Line

Nicole Trunfio

All That Glitters

Styling by Ana Davidson
Hair and makeup by Ilaina Espinaco
Shot on
location at SHDW Studios

Australian supermodel Nicole Trunfio has graced the covers of magazines such as Vogue Australia, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle Australia, but now she has stepped into the spotlight in a new role, as founder and CEO of Erth Jewelry, a line of 14-karat gold jewelry made for the everyday woman. Married to musician Gary Clark Jr., and mom to two children under the age of 5, the now Dripping Springs resident, is more on-the-go than ever before.

“My intention with Erth is to create 14-karat gold jewelry that you don’t have to take off for swimming or showering, simple pieces that are redefining classics and empowering women at the same time,” she says.

Badgley Mischka, Neiman Marcus. Erth Jewelry.

Trunfio was introduced to jewelry as a young girl, and quickly became entranced by working with her hands.

“We had it as a school subject,” she recalls. “But I was in a room full of boys because it was in the metalworking category. My dad was also really smart when it came to fixing things. He built a drag car, which was actually the fastest street car in Western Australia.”

Throughout her years on the catwalk, Trunfio was further inspired by the behind-the-scenes creative process and the talents of designers such as Valentino Garavani, Gianni Versace and Karl Lagerfeld, whom she additionally credits.

Gabriela Hearst, ByGeorge. Erth Jewelry.

In 2015, she launched Trunfio Universe, a line centered around a micro-pavé 18-karat solid-gold bracelet with cushion-cut diamonds, the Universe bracelet, which Trunfino likes to think of as a modern-day charm bracelet. Women can also custom engrave their daily mantras into it.

“It’s my favorite piece we’ve ever made,” she says. “I feel like every woman should have one and use it as a constant reminder that they are the holder of their own destiny.”

While that line was her first venture into the world of jewelry making, she was still itching to create more-accessible collections that women could wear every day.

Issey Miyake, Kick Pleat. Erth Jewelry.

“I started making jewelry for friends, and then all of their boyfriends would call and order some, which evolved into Erth,” she says. “Now it’s sold at Free People, Revolve, ByGeorge, Tenet and Broken English.” Since launching in December 2016, Erth has also become a celebrity favorite, often worn by models Gigi Hadid, Chanel Iman, Behati Prinsloo and fellow Aussie Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Since then, Trunfio has come out with collections like the Five Phases of Love, which centers around five cuts of diamonds, each with its own meaning, as well as the Chakra collection, the Evil Eye collection and, most recently, the Piercing Party collection, which is currently available for purchase in-person.

A selection of signet and zodiac rings from Erth Jewelry.

“We host our Piercing Party at ByGeorge one Saturday each month,” she says. “It’s so much fun and such a party, and everyone curates their ear. We’ve also started traveling around America and did L.A. We are doing the Hamptons and will be traveling to Colorado and other places around Texas as well.”

Trunfio also firmly believes in the positive vibrational power of stones and crystals, with diamonds being the highest-vibe stone, and feels they are good for her energy and the feminine energy as a whole. And through each of her collections, she hopes to inspire women to invest in gold and diamonds.

Badgley Mischka, Neiman Marcus.

“I’m not into costume jewelry and think it’s bad for the environment,” she says. “I want to educate people on investing, because 14-karat gold will always have value and you can pass it down to further generations. I think the word ‘investment’ scares people, but it should be a positive thing. Why would you buy something costume when you could have something that will last forever?”

Trunfio’s pieces are like the forever-stylish white T-shirt and dark-wash jeans of the jewelry world, and the busy entrepreneur is constantly working to produce even more pieces that will inspire, empower and make women feel beautiful daily.

Gabriela Hearst, ByGeorge. Erth Jewelry.