Eight questions for the interested and interesting: Annabel Davidson

When it comes to jewellery, there’s one journalist we always keep tabs on. From baubles and bling to industry news and hot new designers, Annabel Davidson knows exactly what’s going on, and where to look.

The proud Kiwi has clocked years in London and New York, with bylines at Vogue and Vanity Fair on Jewellery (among other venerable titles). Off the page, her Instagram is its own kind of gem: part beautiful objects, part highly strung animals, part deeply amusing life commentary. Here, her answers give you a sense of her inimitable sparkle.

What’s the best book you’ve read in the past year? And why? 

The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag. Set in 18^th -century Naples, it is based on the life of Sir William Hamilton, his wife Lady Hamilton and their friend Lord Nelson, and the subsequent love triangle. It’s a really richly detailed book – sometimes I felt like I’d eaten too much cake after reading it – it’s decadent in its descriptions and set pieces, and it did insane things to my mind’s eye.

How do you keep fit?

I go to a lowkey, very unfancy local gym three times a week with a personal trainer who knows I’m terrified of my bones crumbling to dust, I walk the dogs, and sometimes I’ll jump on a bike, unwillingly.

Week-night, lowkey restaurant go-to?  

Apéro on Auckland’s Karangahape Road. It does a whitebait pasta that I could eat cold for breakfast.

What is the one artwork you’ll always love, and why?

This piece by Star Gossage. Star is an extraordinary New Zealand painter who has become a dear friend. This work captures so much of her world and I could gaze at it for years. It’s not mine so I have to settle for looking at it online.

Do you have a hobby? What is it? 

I carve stone. I’m a member of a little “rockhound” club in Auckland, and I go there and attempt to make things out of stone. I’m hopeless, but it’s very meditative. Mainly I just carve hearts. 

The one unusual item you can’t live without? 

Tweezers. I keep them in my handbag, the car, my bedside table. No errant hairs survive.

Who was your high school celeb crush? 

I pretended it was Tom Cruise because my cool babysitter liked him, but really it was Johnny Whitworth from Empire Records. And Billy from Melrose Place. And Snoop Dogg. 

Three songs that you’d take to a desert island?

Nina Simone’s cover of Here Comes the Sun. Tezeta by Mulatu Astatke. And When Tomorrow Comes by Eurythmics. 

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_{Top image: Annabel Davidson. Picture: supplied.}