For this edition of The AP Journal, we turn the conversation inward. This time, we speak with Ann Perica herself — founder, designer, and creative force behind the brand.
Between Zurich and Bern, studio and countryside, motherhood and entrepreneurship, Ann shares her perspective on jewelry as something deeply personal: objects that carry memory, emotion, and continuity. She reflects on her relationship with design, the stories embedded in her own pieces, and the inspirations that shape her work today — from architecture and heritage to the quiet rhythms of everyday life.
WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT DRIVES YOU IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE OR WORK?
I’m Ann Perica, founder and designer of my eponymous jewelry brand. I’ve been running my boutique in Zurich’s Seefeld district for five years now, though my journey began earlier with custom-made pieces created for private clients in Bern and Zurich, following several years of working with New York–based diamond dealers at international jewelry fairs. I grew up in Bern and still move between the two cities today, a rhythm that mirrors how my life is divided.
Zurich is where my creative and professional world unfolds. I love the city for its balance: the lake, the constant emergence of new ideas and spaces, and at the same time the preservation of tradition. My work as a designer and business owner is my creative outlet. It ranges from designing new pieces to shaping the brand’s vision, marketing, and strategy together with my team.
At the same time, balance is essential to me. Our home is in the countryside near Bern, where life slows down. I’m a mother to a young daughter, and being with my family grounds me completely.
WHAT DOES JEWELRY MEAN TO YOU — IN DAILY LIFE OR FOR SPECIAL MOMENTS?
Jewelry has always been something deeply personal to me. That’s why our approach is centered on personalization, creating pieces that reflect a person’s individual story, often through engravings or carefully chosen stones.
In my own life, jewelry is also about how it accompanies me day to day. I have pieces I wear almost constantly, familiar designs that become part of me. Then there are more expressive pieces, worn for special occasions or moments when I want to make a statement. I love when jewelry completes an outfit, but I’m equally drawn to unexpected contrasts. Mixing refined pieces with more relaxed looks, or combining elements that feel slightly opposing, feels natural to me.
IS THERE A PIECE OF JEWELRY THAT HAS A SPECIAL STORY OR MEANING FOR YOU?
Very much so. This is also how I relate to my own jewelry. Every piece I own carries a memory.
My first medallion, engraved with a tropical leaf, was made for my wedding, which took place in a garden in Los Angeles. It will always remind me of that moment. Today, my daughter has already claimed it as something familiar, something to play with.
Other pieces are deeply tied to family and heritage, like a small watch my mother gifted me. It was once worn by my grandmother and is now over 80 years old. There’s also a ring my sister and I share, each set with a pink diamond and worn as a quiet symbol of our bond. Of course, my engagement ring holds its own story, as do pieces like my birthstone rings or smaller symbolic designs that mark different chapters of my life.
WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE SIGNATURE PIECE OF ANN PERICA?
From my perspective, it is the Pomander. The Pomander pendant was the very first piece I created and, in many ways, the starting point of the brand.
Historically, pomanders were small vessels filled with fragrant substances and worn from the Middle Ages onward. Early pomanders often contained herbs, spices, flowers, or resins. These objects were typically crafted in precious metals, set with gemstones, and shaped like fruit, flowers, animals, or symbolic forms.
My reinterpretation gives new life to this tradition. The Pomander is a perfume pendant made in gold, designed to open and reveal a ceramic capsule inside. You can apply your favorite perfume or essential oil to the capsule, and through the warmth of the body, the fragrance unfolds slowly throughout the day and diffuses gently through the pendant. What I love most is that the scent reveals itself through movement. Unlike perfume worn on the skin, which we often stop noticing after a while, the Pomander allows the aroma to reappear subtly as you move.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU RIGHT NOW OR GIVES YOU STRENGTH?
My greatest source of strength and inspiration is my daughter. Many of the decisions I make today are shaped by her presence, not only in how I live my life, but also in how I think about jewelry. Through her, I’ve become even more aware that certain pieces can outlive us and are meant to be passed on. When I design, I sometimes imagine a piece being worn years from now or handed down one day. That sense of continuity has become very meaningful to me.
Beyond that, inspiration comes from many places. I’ve always had a curious mind and more ideas than I can keep up with. Architecture plays a big role, especially mid-century design with its clarity and strong lines. At the same time, I’m equally drawn to Art Deco and to more raw, folkloric elements. Objects that feel rooted in history and craftsmanship, like an old cowbell or a hand-carved Swiss chair, have a strong presence for me. I love the tension that comes from mixing these worlds, refined and raw, structured and instinctive.
I often collect visual impressions through collages, and platforms like Pinterest allow me to intuitively gather moods and ideas. Right now, I’m particularly inspired by women who dress intuitively and confidently, for example Leandra Medine, and by the way she combines jewelry and clothing in unexpected, bold ways.
IF SOMEONE WERE LOOKING FOR YOU IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE WOULD THEY MOST LIKELY FIND YOU?
When I’m near Bern, you’d most likely find me outdoors. We live by a farmhouse, so my days often unfold in nature around the farm. In summer, swimming in the Aare at Marzili is a must. Floating through the river with a view of the Bundeshaus never loses its magic.
In the city, I love spending warm evenings at the Kunsthalle Bar and taking quiet walks through the Botanical Garden of Bern, often followed by a gelato from Gelateria di Berna. Short stops at Confiserie Tschirren are my guilty pleasure, especially their chocolate-covered apricots. One of my favorite walks is through the Rosengarten, with its beautiful view over the city. For moments of calm and care, I visit Sparkling Cosmetics, one of the most beautiful cosmetic spaces in Switzerland and a place I associate with true spa moments.
In Zurich, you’ll usually find me at work, either in our showroom in Seefeld or nearby, taking a short walk along the lake between appointments.
