The Gucci Link Is More Than Jewelry. It's a Virgin Islands Heirloom

Shot by Omari G, Creative Directed by Neiva Weeks / @fodehculcha (Courtesy of OneLink Jewelers)

This feature on Gucci mariner jewelry and its cultural weight as a Virgin Islands heirloom, by Kyra James, belongs to a package celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month. Throughout June, we honored the powerful creativity, ambition, and heart of Caribbean culture through the sharp perspective of writers of Caribbean descent. The Caribbean is not just a tourist destination — it is a region, a people, and an identity rich in history and spirit. With this story, we continue our celebrations into the first week of July in recognition of Virgin Islands Day.

The Virgin Islands has giant neighbors. Though we may seem like specks dotting the Lesser Antilles, the pride that swells in our chests is expansive and wide, like the Atlantic itself. (With so many islands and countries across the Caribbean region, it's easy to miss a few gems.)

Virgin Islanders are no strangers to puzzled stares after sharing where we're from — so it sparks a special kind of joy when someone responds with the “Which one?" That question is like a verbal secret handshake, a surefire way to know when a tourist is a real one. But do you know how to identify a real local? Gucci jewelry.

For Virgin Islanders, Gucci jewelry has transcended mere fashion; it has become a cultural centerpiece in our regional identity. But how did this signature gold accessory become so prevalent in our culture? The answer, like many cultural trends, remains somewhat elusive.

Some suggest it’s because of our deep-rooted boating culture. After all, the Virgin Islands is heralded as one of the world's prime sailing destinations.

The piece is officially known as a “mariner” (or “marina” or “anchor”) and is characterized by its flat, interlocking ovular links, each featuring a bar running across the center. The link design, which dates as far back as the 1800s, were inspired by nautical life and are said to have been modeled after the chain that connects a boat to its anchor — what is considered the strongest link in maritime culture. Initially, seamen wore their good luck charms on these links during voyages. But these mariner chains saw a surge in popularity during the 1980s, with Gucci leading the charge with their iconic chunky, puffed take on the link. (A quick Google Image search of “vintage 1980s Gucci necklace” will prove it.)

This led to similar-looking chains, regardless of their brand or fashion house, being dubbed "Gucci links." This habit surely goes against trademark rules, but it’s far too late for Virgin Islanders to refer to it as anything else. The "Gucci Link” is deeply ingrained in our culture and colloquialisms.

The jewelry piece may have originally belonged to a luxury designer brand, but its influence has undeniably surpassed socioeconomic boundaries and spanned generations. Whether you like to wear your Gucci Links big and layered like Grammy-winning songwriter Theron Thomas (who hails from St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.), or prefer a more casual version like small earrings or chokers, many Virgin Islanders feel their accessory collection isn't complete without a touch of Gucci. It's a subtle yet strong badge of identity and a reminder of home wherever you roam.

Virgin Islanders residing away from home, like D’Moi Rouse, feel a sense of connection when they see people wearing it. “When I see Gucci [jewelry] I feel like I’m bumping into a family member even though they might not be a Virgin Islander,” says Rouse. “The mental association is always there.”

Ari Douglas, another Virgin Islander now living abroad, echoes this sentiment. “Seeing someone wearing Gucci jewelry makes me feel a sense of community," she says. "Almost like an unspoken understanding that we are from the same place — and the V.I. is indeed large.”

Beyond island pride, Gucci jewelry has become a cherished family heirloom for many Virgin Islanders. David Fonseca knows this firsthand, as his love for Gucci jewelry started young. He remembers receiving his first chain around age four or five, with a personalized pendant. Fonseca's current chain, a gift from his late brother, holds a special significance as a constant reminder of his brother's life and a symbolic source of protection. "Having Gucci on feels like a piece of home," he shares.

Teia Lettsome’s story reflects a similar experience to Fonseca's. “[The] first time I got my Gucci jewelry was as a baby," she says. "My mom made a gold custom nameplate, which I still have 'till this day, along with my Gucci chain.”

Whether cherished from childhood or acquired later in life, owning Gucci jewelry feels like a rite of passage for many Virgin Islanders. The classic puffed mariner link remains a staple, but jewelers like local company Cardow Jewelers, established in 1954, now offer a diverse selection of earrings, rings, and even watches, catering to a broader range of styles.

Just as the mariner chain was designed with strength and durability in mind, the spirit of the Virgin Islands people was built to last, representing a people who have weathered literal and metaphorical storms and still persevered, a culture that mirrors the breathtaking views from any V.I. hilltop.

The next time you visit the B.V.I. or U.S.V.I. and are in search of a unique and meaningful keepsake, ditch the keychain and consider a piece of Gucci jewelry. It might just become a cherished part of your story, as it is ours.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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