The Best of Modern Jewelry, 2017

From now until the beginning of the New Year, we are in the process of a few changes/updates. From the time we launched in July 2016, we gained a wealth of knowledge and I’m thrilled to report have greatly expanded our readership. We are taking this short break to continue to review what our loyal visitors enjoy most and to give them more of the types of columns and stories we have learned that they enjoy most. We also have a few surprises for 2018 that we hope you will be as excited about as we are. As always we welcome your comments and suggestions by emailing editorial@bejeweledmag.com

We introduced our look back at the best of the jewelry trends as seen on bejeweledmag.com last year and we bring it back for 2017 as we prepare to lavish you with all the jewels that will shape 2018.

Hoop Earrings have been around for centuries and in all cultures, civilizations and on all continents. From the first known Sumerian versions, hoops traveled to Africa, Asia Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece and have had quite a historical past, symbolizing everything from tribal identity to religious believes. Fast forward to the 20^th through the 21^st centuries and hoops have made a comeback every decade since the sixties. As we entered 2017—there was hoopla over hoops once again. And they are definitely a welcome return to add to the list of the ear-centric styles!

Deco-inspired danglers, delicate diamond threads and antique-influenced girandole and pendant earrings proved to be the long view–earings that continue to endure over time in different incarnations. We also saw what we thought was going to be the shorter view–hot studs, irreverent mismatched styles, daring climbers, jackets, cuffs and jackets which have taken a strong hold in the realm of earring styles. In other words, they seem to be here to stay, so much so that women of all ages have opted for more piercings in their lobes to carry off these looks.

Today’s designers have been interpreting certain motifs and styles that have been handed down and reinvented throughout the 20th century. But they are creating pieces that are relevant to modern women, who are into symbolism, spirituality and sentimentality and pieces that speak on a personal level. They have created what has become know as inspired collections, rejuvenating various styles with wit, originality and an inventive mixing of time periods and themes.

The magic and mystique of the evening sky continued to provide inspiration in motifs and colors. Designers interpreted the patterns of stars sparkling, the moon in its different phases or shimmering hues of the twilight hours such as deep rich lapis twinkling with star-kissed flecks of pyrite and the magically changing glow of blue moonstone. This is a trend that has been evolving over time with no-holds-barred creativity.

It seems that both fashion and jewelry designers had a lot to say during 2017. We saw words and sayings scrawled across T-shirts, sweaters and dresses during the ready to wear and couture shows this year. In fine jewelry, a category in which the best pieces are personal and make a statement, mottos are spelled out and engraved in gold or silver or set with diamonds and gemstones. The meaning is in the message and the message is usually simple and pertains to love, luck, spirituality and/or these days, politics.

This year was all about ‘romancing the stone.’ Never have gemstones been more alluring, graphic, rugged or dazzling in finished jewelry interpretations. Vibrantly colored gems, high polished oversized cabochons, discreet emerald cuts and new versions of old cushion and rose cuts as well as nature’s creation of painting-like picturesque scenes which form in stones while they are still in the ground all were out in full force for 2017. When the gem had this much character and presence, jewelers created pared-down settings that were the perfect backdrop for these organic beauties.

Jewelry designers were armed and ready for 2017. The wrist received a lot of love in mixed metals, textural interest, wider than wide cuffs, which could be worn one on each arm and all types of bangles and bold flexible styles. These could be mixed, combined and piled high.

Sinuous and sexy, Y-necklaces returned to the jewelry scene for spring/summer 2017 in a variety of moods and themes, from floral feminine motifs to the streamlined simplicity of a single pave bar dipping down to emphasize the décolletage. If you don’t have one or more in your jewelry wardrobe–it’s time to take the plunge and splurge. And, whY not–they stand alone, layer with shorter and longer necklaces, come in myriad versions and they have staying power.

Classic colors and shapes of the Wild West and Native American Indian jewelry melded together in a modern lux bohemian style. Lariats took shape in leather or sensual snake chain imbued with a current vibe. Denim friendly colors such as all shades of blue-sapphire, iolite, lapis and the iconic turquoise of the Southwest all feel relevant for the contemporary woman when set into gold or gold and oxidized silver. The renewed popularity lends itself to the wear-now, wear-anywhere versatility of today’s lifestyle. The beauty and desirability of the pieces lie in the diversity of styles, symbolism and creativity.

From the spring 2018 ready-to-wear runway shows to the jewelry designer studios, inspiration seemed to be derived from the Rolling Stones this year. “She comes in colors everywhere” is definitely a theme in vibrant multi-hued fashion and vivid gemstone combinations and juxtapositions in fine jewelry.

Whether 20’s flapper, ‘70s disco or Western-inspired, fringe hemlines shimmied down the international Spring 2018 fashion runways. Jewelry creators have been shakers and movers of this look throughout history but in the past year, designers have been playing with this trend in modern looks with multiple chains for earrings, pendants and necklaces. This creates a lot of fluidity and movement and is also being interpreted with colored gemstones, diamonds and mixed metals.

Ringing In The New Bride

Over the past five to ten years, whenever I write about engagement rings —I often refer to alternative as the new norm. And, these days we can almost take out the word new and just say that women desiring an engagement ring that breaks with traditional is the norm. This, in no way, means that these rings are conventional—they are still very much in keeping with the modern woman’s desire for customization, creativity, jewelry that bespeaks her life and personal style and that evokes the sentimentality or the meaning of what her marriage vows and relationship mean to her and her husband-to-be.

: Rebecca Overmann

: Sofia Kaman

Charmed I’m Sure

It is simply charming how charms seem to never go out of style. Many of us had mothers and grandmothers who wore jangly bracelets that recall the momentous occasions in their lives. We also remember renowned film stars and socialites who owned and made the ubiquitous charm bracelet an iconic style. Elizabeth Taylor sometimes wore two together and definitely one of her own in the film Giant. The Duchess of Windsor wore her Latin cross charm bracelet to her wedding and another one with a Cartier heart that was inscribed “The Heart Has Its Reasons” (part of a quote by Blaise Pascal), which would become the name of The Duchess’ memoir. The bracelet had history, status and was stylistically appealing throughout the 20th century. But when we fast-forward to 2016, the newer trend toward charm necklaces have replaced the bracelet, offering a twist on the classic style. The necklace features pieces that represent beliefs, superstitions, goals, and dreams. They tell the world a little bit about our personal tastes and styles and a lot about who we are.