In the world of jewelry, there has never been a time more than now when the style is at its peak. Trending and changing at the same time that’s happening quicker than you can keep up. This can only mean one thing — 2016 has given us the perfect spring & summer season for jewelry made of precious metals.
From statement necklaces to bracelets, there’s an onslaught of new designs that offer a new level of craftsmanship, materials, and craftsmanship practices. Here’s what you need to know about these trends for this season. And what, when, and why do you need to look at jewelry to accessorize your season’s outfit?
Gemstone and Metal Jewelry
This is not a new trend, but with the advent of online shopping, shopping for items that usually require a trip to a department store or big chain store, has become much more feasible for consumers. With this trend increasingly sweeping the country, there has been an increase in the number of retailers offering this type of jewelry. The first thing to note is that gemstones and metals have been used for jewelry for millennia.
The manufacture of pierced or stone or gold items has been around since the beginning of recorded history and continues to be a major source of income for some cultures. One idea you can look at are the 14k gold rope chains as they represent the metal jewelry.
With gold, you can always assume it’s expensive, but that isn’t always the case. Plenty of stores will give you a great deal if you ask for it when you want to get the rope chains. And the great thing with these chains is that you can wear them regardless of the event – especially when you are going to a casual event.
The Trend of Craftsmanship in Jewelry is on the Rise
This is a great indicator of what’s coming up next including the 14k gold Jesus pendant. In fact, trends toward increased craftsmanship are closely related to trends toward higher price points. The practice of “cutting” or “sanding” jewelry is slowly being replaced by “rolling” or “sifting” methods, which will result in pieces that are more valuable.
This steady increase in the amount of “craftsmanship” being practiced is followed by an increase in the number of “finish work” jobs. In other words, the production of more delicate pieces is followed by more production of less delicate pieces. You can then see more ideas coming up with different pendants coming in over the next years.
Fantastical Beauty is Back with New Designs
Fantastical beauty is back with a vengeance and there’s no stopping it when it comes to trendy jewelry for this season. In fact, it’s probably too much to hope that this trend will ever again be in such high demand, but it is. We have literally witnessed an avalanche of new designs and collections that have been inspired by and, in many cases, adhered to the original designs.
This includes pieces like the satin collar on the neck of Daniel Kamp, the monocle frame that features the city of New York, and the beautiful shawl that features the American flag. All of these designs are beautiful, but what sets these pieces apart is the consistent and obvious reference to the American Civil War. These designs are in direct recognition of the battles that shaped the 20th century.
Another important thing to note is that these designs are highly collectible. They are collectible because they were inspired by these wars and because they are extremely collectible.
Jewelry that is Both Functional and Beautiful
This is the key to all of these trends. Jewelry that is both functional and beautiful. This can be found in the shape of a cross, an ornate spool, or a pendant. As we move into the spring and summer of 2016, there is a great deal of choice when it comes to choosing the perfect piece to fill an entire project.
You can purchase a simple cross pendant or a gorgeous, fancy pendant but if you want to go further, you need to look beyond basic pieces.
When you wear jewelry, you don’t only want something that’s functional, you also want something that is beautiful. Beauty as they say is in the eye of the beholder, but there is jewelry that when you wear it, stands out regardless. Rocking that Gucci link chain does just that for you regardless of the event.
New materials are Being Used to Create New Effects in Traditional Works
The trend of “fantussian” or “fantastical” beauty is back with a vengeance. This term covers designs that are entirely different from the norm. Examples include the pewter watch from 1650, the beaded scarf, and the beaded sandals. This is great news for both the wood craftsman and the upcycled hobbyist. Both of these communities are experiencing roaring demand for vintage pieces due to their timeless beauty and ability to stand the test of time.
Traditional pieces of jewelry aren’t all about beads among other ‘traditional’ ideas you may think of. Today, there’s more that goes into the idea of traditional jewelry. The good thing is that they never run out of style, so you’ll still look stylish and in sync when you have them on regardless of the season.
Having them on doesn’t take away the idea that you can still have a Gucci link chain as part of your look on the day. This will blend in and bring a different fusion to the whole fashion statement you are trying to send.
Conclusion
Gemstones and metals are the most frequently used materials in jewelry. They are also used in a wide range of decorative and functional uses. They are also found in many everyday products like toothpicks, hand warmers, and earrings. This season has been full of new and interesting designs that have immediately captured our attention. We are now in the process of gathering our thoughts and learning about these trends. We will be sharing our favorite pieces of jewelry in this article series.