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A multitude of influences are inspiring the hottest trends in
apparel this fall, and colorful gem-set jewelry provides a wealth
of options for true fashionistas who know how to accessorize. For the coming season, fashion designers have spun renditions of
styles in key decades including flapper looks of the 1920s;
high-waisted skirts, crisp blouses and sharp-shouldered jackets of
the 1930s; simple silhouettes in georgette tea dresses and
ruffle-trimmed chiffon blouses of the 1940s; flirty hems, belted
waists and fluted sleeves of 1950s film star femmes fatales; hippie
colors of the 1960s on cardigan shifts, flowing tunics and
bubble-shaped coats; striped scarves, knitted skullcaps and pea
coats in 1970s university wear a la "The Graduate;" and urban
metallic glitz of the 1980s with leggings and off-the-shoulder
sweaters reminiscent of "Fame" days. Juxtaposed to lady-like styles
are Katherine Hepburn-inspired menswear - running the gamut of garb
a woman can don. |
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Bringing new life to the season's color palette are sun-drenched
oranges; luscious berries in red tones like cranberry and burgundy;
melon-peachy-yellows; nature-inspired greens; deep blues in navy,
indigo and cobalt; warm neutrals from cameo, parchment and bark to
caramel and chocolate; and cool neutrals like atmospheric grays.
But purple in all its shades from lavender and lilac pink to
violet, grape and plum is the top color to watch. "Color screams, 'this is me,'" advocates Douglas Hucker for the
American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), who notes that gems in a
range of types, colors and prices fit the bill in fashionable
jewelry design. Trendy colors can be found in various gem families
including beryl, quartz, garnet, topaz, moonstone and tourmaline.
Also popular are green gems like serpentine, jade and prehnite, as
well as pink opal, coral, amber, tiger's eye, agate and onyx.
Faithful favorites are emerald, ruby and sapphire. |
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"The key is in new takes on existing trends," says Birgit Rieder of GemsVisions trends forecasting service for the gem house, Signity, an AGTA member company. "Individualism and personalized approaches remain important, with an Arts and Crafts style in designs that are refined and handmade in look, with new color combinations." Designers are not reinventing the wheel but re-exploring their roots. |
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Like fashion, jewelry is borrowing inspiration from influences
including the 18th century richness of ceremony in ribbons and
lace; simplified Art Nouveauin figurative nature motifs; futuristic
takes of Art Deco/Bauhaus style with tribal touches; Indian and
Indonesian ethnic influences; and the upcoming Olympic games in
China in circle designs of multicolor gradations. Jewels are showing big stones in sculpted settings, exaggerated
shapes, and whimsical color mixes. Look out for gem beads on chunky
gold chains, high-domed cabochon rings, luscious gem drop earrings,
light metal and complex pavé work in perforated patterns, and
amulets and charms. There's lots of interest in softened rough
gems, stone-in-stone looks, and faceted patterns like checkerboard
tops on traditional cuts. Layering is prevalent in necklaces and
bracelets. And, adaptable jewelry - like brooches or rings that
convert into pendants - is important. |
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"Gem-set jewelry is strong in modern versions of the classics,"
says Myriam Naftule for the jewelry manufacturer NAFCO, an
AGTA-member company. By example, she notes the popularity of her
Mod ring collection, which caught the eye of "Desperate
Housewives'" Teri Hatcher, who wore a 19.64-carat sugarloaf-shaped
rose quartz cabochon ring in 18k rose gold with pink sapphire pavé
to last year's Academy Awards and had to have it for her own. From the fashion runways to the star-studded red carpets, women
of style are choosing colored gemstones as the ideal accessories.
Los Angeles publicist Niki Ostin reports that celebrities including
Jennifer Lopez, Keira Knightley, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Jessica
Simpson, America Ferrera, Jacinda Barrett and Minnie Driver have
gone gaga for bold gemmy jewels often in platinum. The summer fashion flick, "The Devil Wears Prada," shows that
while the right clothes can make the woman, the right accessories
get her noticed. And colored gemstone jewelry is the exclamation
point to any fashion statement! |
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Gemtech Int'l. Corp. D/B/A Yosepha Jewelry
Designs
Member
American Gem Trade Association
Manufactors Jewelers and silversmith Association
Southern Jewelers Association
Ohio Jewelers Association
Jewelers board of Trade |
Contact Us by
E-mail or Call TOLL FREE 1-800-436-3236
Colored gemstone information and jewelry fashion
from the non-profit American Gem Trade
Association |
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