vertigo
The Edge of Simplicity: Conscious Select × Vertigo
Vertigo started on a bed in New York City in 2021, when Taylor Sade — a Parsons-trained designer working a nine-to-five at a design agency — drove past a lapidary in her hometown of Phoenix that was closing down and bought out its entire remaining stock for $1,000. She had never strung a bead before. She stayed up late making necklaces, wore them the next day, and started receiving questions she couldn't stop answering.
The New York Times named Vertigo the hot girl necklace of the moment in 2023. The day after the feature ran, Sade quit her job. This is the kind of brand origin that cannot be manufactured — it happened because the objects were genuinely compelling, and because one person made every single one of them by hand. The brand has since been worn by Suki Waterhouse, Emily Ratajkowski, and Paloma Elsesser — none of it through paid partnerships, all of it because the pieces stop people in their tracks.
The Stones
Vertigo sources its stones directly from lapidaries in Phoenix, Arizona and Jakarta — deadstock lots, closing-down sales, rare batches that no longer exist in commercial supply. Jasper, agate, quartz, pearl, jade, fossilised coral, petrified wood, opal. Materials with geological history rather than fashion history, chosen for their irregularity and weight rather than their trend relevance.
Each piece is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind. Many designs are made to order. Sade negotiates directly with her lapidary sources, selecting materials one box at a time, keeping the process intimate even as the brand grows. The result is jewellery that carries the particular quality of things made by one person who cares deeply about what they are making.
The pieces themselves lean into contrast — bold materials in restrained forms, natural irregularities paired with clean lines. Chunky bracelets with gobstopper-like stones. Amulets with turquoise, onyx, and jasper. Low-slung hip belts in rose quartz and fossilised coral. Medallions on leather cord. Each one a focal point without demanding the rest of the outfit yield to it. This is jewellery with quiet drama — pieces that feel like they were found rather than made, and worn rather than displayed.
Why Vertigo is a Consciously Selected Jewellery Brand: CS Signal
CS Verified | Handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, sourced entirely from deadstock lapidary lots in Phoenix and Jakarta. Made-to-order model reducing waste. Direct sourcing relationships with named lapidaries. Founded, designed, and made by one person who has led every step of the process since day one.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vertigo
Where does Vertigo source its stones? Vertigo sources semi-precious stones directly from lapidaries in Phoenix, Arizona and Jakarta, Indonesia — primarily from deadstock and closing-down lots. Materials include jasper, agate, quartz, pearl, jade, fossilised coral, petrified wood, and opal. Many of the stones used are genuinely rare and no longer available through commercial supply chains.
Who makes Vertigo jewellery? Every piece is handcrafted by founder and designer Taylor Sade. Each piece is one-of-a-kind. Many designs are made to order, limiting waste and ensuring each piece is made for a specific person rather than held in inventory.
What kind of jewellery does Vertigo make? Vertigo makes semi-precious statement accessories — amulets, medallions, chokers, belts, and bracelets — each handcrafted from rare and deadstock stones. The aesthetic balances bold materials with clean, restrained forms, designed to be a focal point without overwhelming the wearer.
