Trend Watch Clearly Black and White

Black-and-white, a combination that never quite goes out of style, is back on the trendy-go-round for spring and fall. Coming off seasons in which black and white scored individually, it's not surprising that they're together again, the yin and yang of fashion colors.

Jewelry designers also are interested in this dramatic combination. Many are taking advantage of the popularity of opaque stones to interpret the trend with favorites like onyx, moonstones in various hues, and mother-of-pearl.

These striking combinations—as well as blacks and whites used solo—look most traditional in white metals, but designers like Judith Ripka are challenging tradition and showing a truly two-tone effect: mother-of-pearl in yellow gold with onyx in white gold.