Be on top of the trends this year with what’s new and hot in jewelry design.
Keeping in mind that jewelry is highly personal to your own style — if you love something, wear it as often as you like for as long as you like — there is a trend component to jewelry. Like apparel, some designs are hotter than others this year.
Here’s what to look for in the upcoming months and seasons:
Single or mismatched earrings
Despite what many of us never even thought to question, there’s absolutely no reason your ear jewelry has to be symmetrical. Different colors, designs or numbers of earrings — it’s up to you.
- Put a twist on classic pearl studs — one black and one white for high contrast or blue and peacock for a interesting and subtle “are they different?” take.
- Wear a single earring. Own the look and no one will ask if you’ve lost the other one.
- Mix a simple earring on one ear with an ear climber or threader earring on the other.
- Match patterns and designs but wear different colors of gold or gemstones.
Brass jewelry
Not always thought of as a modern jewelry metal, brass is making a comeback. It complements natural bohemian looks on women and its heft makes it suitable for men’s jewelry. Some things to know:
- It’s an alloy of copper and zinc, so it is a safe metal for the growing number of people with nickel sensitivity.
- Depending on the mix of copper and zinc, you could get a “green skin” reaction if copper is the prevailing alloy.
- It may oxidize (change color when exposed to air). Some brass jewelry is lacquered to prevent this. Make sure you know if it’s been lacquered or not and how to care for it.
Earthy bohemian jewelry
These designs are intricate and may mix metal colors, different gems or natural motifs like leaves and feathers. Leather necklaces and bracelets and wearing multiple rings on multiple fingers also play into a boho vibe.
- Earring styles to look for are large diameter hoops — plain or embellished with gems — and feathery or fringy dangles
- An armful of bangles gives a gypsy feel.
- Materials to look for are yellow gold and gemstones such as turquoise, opal, moonstone and simulated coral.
- Play with finishes on your metal jewelry — mix shiny and matte.
Chokers are back
Chokers, last seen widely in the 1990s, are back again, along with grunge nostalgia. You can root around in your jewelry box for your old favorites, but the new choker has undergone a makeover. What to look for now:
- Wires and pendants in all colors of gold and sterling silver.
- Multi-strand necklaces mixing chokers and longer chains.
- Gemstone pendants in a smooth cabochon shape.
Estate/vintage jewelry
You can prowl estate sales, bid online or comb through your grandmother’s collection to score some sweet new pieces that are vintage inspired.
- Big brooches and pins are key pieces in this movement. Wear them as expected on a sweater or top, but also consider affixing them to your skimmer flats, handbag or a hair band.
- Look for cameos. Hang them from a choker or a longer chain as a pendant.
- Also on-trend are Deco-inspired looks using gems such as opal.
- Melamine jewelry in bright and neon colors is a stylish throwback to the mod 1960s and the pop art 1970s.
Still going strong
Jewelry trends don’t change as quickly as they do in apparel. And as in all fashion and design, some things in vogue have more staying power than others. Here are a few trends from last year that are still going strong and show little sign of dropping off the fashion radar.
- Yellow gold and rose gold. Gold prices have come down, making it more affordable for jewelry designers to stock and work with. Yellow gold looks especially right with the 1970s styles clothing designers have been mining. Rose gold plays into the vintage and bohemian trends.
- Geometrics are still strong. Triangles, squares and rectangles look edgy yet classic.
- Wearing multiples, like layering necklaces, stacking rings and piling on bracelets, continues to be a popular choice.
You do you
While the previous list is what’s new, don’t feel like you’re totally out of it if you don’t embrace them all. Chances are there’s something in these trends for everyone. And if you think about it, all of these trends were hot at least once before and will be again. Nothing in the world of fine jewelry ever truly goes out of style. Unlike cleaning out your closet because there’s no way that particular pair of jeans will ever look good again, jewelry endures — so you’re making a choice you’ll never regret.
