Of all the necklaces Juliet Higgins (character played by Perdita Weeks) wore on Magnum PI, let's talk a bit about the SaltyGirl brand's jewelry in a chat with its founder: Amber Chesebro.
Today, let’s talk a little about Juliet’s favorite necklaces. And I say “favorite” because when you wear a piece multiple times, that piece of jewelry has to mean something to you, doesn’t it? Throughout the entire season 4, we saw Juliet wearing these two necklaces that were handmade by Amber – the founder of the SaltyGirl brand. And if that wasn’t enough, Juliet was seen wearing these pieces for a large part of Season 5 as well. It reminds me of her wearing such a piece only in Season 1, which was the necklace she received from Richard. So, I’ll stick to my opinion that these two SaltyGirl necklaces are her favorites.
In the intricate web that is the production of a television series, every detail matters. From the settings to the dialogues, from the costumes to the soundtrack, each element is meticulously chosen to convey a message, develop a narrative, and create a connection with the audience. Among these elements, accessories play a fundamental role, especially necklaces, which have the unique power to reflect a character’s style and deepen their identity.
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+ Making a Statement with Juliet Higgins’s Necklaces: The Message Behind the Accessory
Necklaces, more than mere adornments, are tangible manifestations of an individual’s taste, personality, and history. In the production of a TV series, they become powerful tools for costume designers, capable of communicating subtle nuances of a character’s psychology. An extravagant necklace can denote an eccentric and bold personality, while a discreet and minimalist necklace can suggest a more reserved and sophisticated approach.
By carefully selecting necklaces for a character, costume designers are essentially telling a story without words. A vintage necklace can evoke an aura of nostalgia and romance, while an ethnic-style necklace can convey a connection with culture and traditions. Each chosen piece not only complements the character’s look but also adds layers of meaning to their characterization.
In addition to their impact on character building, necklaces hold profound significance for those who wear them in real life. They can be symbols of affection, memory, or achievement. A necklace inherited from a beloved grandmother may carry immeasurable emotional weight, while a necklace received as a gift may represent a celebration of love or friendship. For some, a necklace is more than an accessory; it is an extension of their identity, a form of personal expression that transcends fleeting fashion trends.
That said, let’s talk a bit about two standout pieces of jewelry from Season 4 and Season 5: the necklaces from the SaltyGirl brand.
"The costume director asked me to come in to the wardrobe department and bring all of my jewelry, and she quickly picked out all of the pieces she wanted. I could tell she had a clear vision for what jewelry she would dress her in because she was so decisive. At one point she said ‘these simple, delicate necklaces are perfect for Higgins!’ I think I got lucky that my jewelry style worked for the character." (Amber told us.)
Amber is an artist passionate about nature, and this passion is conveyed in every piece of jewelry she produces. “I feel like my place in the world is to create beauty to enhance people’s lives, and to do it by celebrating nature,” she commented. Below is the interview we conducted with her, where she also talks about the creation of the pieces worn by Juliet Higgins (and just out of curiosity, Perdita loved the jewelry).
It all started when a friend of Amber’s introduced her jewelry to the costume director who was working on the show during Season 4. “She was very cool and wanted to support the local economy where they were filming, which I know everyone in Hawaii appreciates”, told Amber.
1. How did you choose each one of the jewelry for Juliet Higgins? She wore them in so many episodes and they perfectly matched her style.
I wish I could take credit for the great necklace choices made for Higgins, but I can’t. The costume director asked me to come in to the wardrobe department and bring all of my jewelry, and she quickly picked out all of the pieces she wanted. I could tell she had a clear vision for what jewelry she would dress her in because she was so decisive. At one point she said ‘these simple, delicate necklaces are perfect for Higgins!’ I think I got lucky that my jewelry style worked for the character.
2. Can you tell us a bit about the two pieces Juliet wore? What were your inspirations for creating them?
The pomegranate seed necklace idea came to me one day many years ago when I was eating a pomegranate fruit. I was struck by how the seeds are naturally faceted like a gemstone! I liked the idea of a classic teardrop shaped pendant that has a bit more thought behind it- simple but not boring.
The Sunburst Seed necklace was made by molding a little seed I found when I was out walking my dog one day. I loved the cute shape of it, and it reminded me of a tiny sea urchin. There was a natural divet in the center of the seed that I felt begged to have a sparkly stone set in it. Sometimes this necklace gets overlooked by customers because it’s so small and dainty, but it gets a lot more attention nowadays since Higgins has worn it so much!
3. How did you get started in the arts (jewelry), and when did you decide to turn your passion into a business?
I grew up in a very creative family, so art has always been a big part of my life. Over the years, I tried many different art forms before I settled on jewelry making as my chosen profession. Once my path was clear, I was lucky enough to go to my dream school, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry & Metalsmithing. I went there with the intention of starting my own line at some point when I felt I was ready.
4. What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting your business, and how did you overcome them?
I think my biggest challenges have been not having much money to work with, and having to learn about business as I go along. I’ve self funded my business from the start. I put all of my money earned from selling my jewelry right back into the business, so everything happens a lot slower than it would if I had a big budget. Also, at RISD, I learned so much about being an excellent designer, but unfortunately we didn’t spend much time covering the business aspects of being an artist in my classes, so a lot of what I know now I’ve learned the hard way.
5. How did you start making handmade jewelry, and what is the story behind opening the Salty Girl brand?
When I was a child I made a lot of beaded jewelry for fun. When I got a little bit older, my mother taught me how to make macrame jewelry so that was my obsession for a while. After I graduated from RISD I took a job offer in Hawaii and bought a one way ticket to Honolulu, not having ever been there or knowing anyone there.
Starting Salty Girl really happened organically- I still had other jobs and made my jewelry on the side, and got into a few stores in Hawaii. Then there was a newspaper article written about my jewelry, and after that it became difficult to keep up with the demand, which is a great problem to have! I finally quit all of my other jobs so I could focus solely on Salty Girl.
6. How does the nature and beauty of Hawaii inspire your work and creativity?
I think of Hawaii as my muse! Ever since I moved here 14 years ago, I’ve been blown away by the natural beauty everywhere around me. I spend a lot of time in nature in Hawaii hiking, beachcombing, snorkeling, surfing, and exploring, and I’m always taking inspiration photos and collecting things along the way. I could never exhaust all of my inspiration that comes from nature in Hawaii in my lifetime. It’s truly the most beautiful place I’ve ever been in all of my travels- it’s awe inspiring!
7. What materials do you use in your jewelry, and how do they relate to your creative vision?
I love treasure hunting for interesting natural materials to work with, whether I’m beachcombing, fossil hunting, shopping at gem shows, or wandering online. When I find something that nature has made that intrigues me, I let that material tell me what it wants to be, and I try to find ways to elevate or honor it. Sometimes that’s just with a simple setting so as to not detract from that treasure that is so amazing on its own. I also am obsessed with gemstones, so I incorporate them into my designs as much as possible.
8. How do you define the style of your jewelry, and what do you hope to convey through it?
I always say my jewelry style is ‘elegant with a touch of edge’. I like jewelry that feels kind of fierce, but that is still beautiful and wearable. I hear a lot of women say they feel empowered when they wear my jewelry, which is exactly what I’m hoping for! Also, I think the ‘elegant’ part comes from my aesthetic being simple and clean. I try to get to the essence of whatever I’m inspired by, which means not overdoing it design wise. Jewelry doesn’t have to be over the top to make a statement- sometimes less is more.
