What’s the Buzz? Insect Jewelry Motifs

As summer beckons, drawing many of us to spend more time outdoors, we become keenly aware of some of the smaller creatures sharing our space: insects. Just in time for the season, a variety of jewelry designers offer their latest takes on the insect world.

In the June 2012 issue of Marie Claire, fashion director Nina Garcia points out that “a slightly menacing stud on an otherwise girly butterfly” is one of the pre-fall season’s “little jolts to shake up your sense of style—and point it in a new direction.” The necklace, ring, and bag pictured are from Gucci.

In contrast, down-home details and country charm are the focus of this fashion spread from the June 2012 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine. The bee-adorned locket is by John Wind. Also pictured are a goldtone necklace with metal flowers from FantasyJewelBox.com and Swarovski crystal earrings from La Vie Parisienne by Catherine Popesco.

The cover of the April 2012 issue of Redbook pictures actress Kyra Sedgwick wearing a dragonfly pendant necklace and bangle bracelets from Pandora. Her blouse is from Cristina Ehrlich for Jeunesse and her jeans are by MiH.

Among the jewelry highlighted in a preppy-themed fashion spread in the April 2012 issue of Town & Country is a 14K yellow gold dragonfly charm and chain from Jennifer Fisher. Also pictured is a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra necklace, gold bangles from Marco Bicego, and a Cartier Tank watch on a white alligator strap. The bee-adorned hairpin is from Delfina Delettrez.

The February 2012 issue of Real Simple references the popularity of insect jewelry in the Victorian era, noting that today’s styles are more modern and sleek (not to mention the lack of incorporating real insects). Pictured are an amazonite bead necklace with attached bees from Elva Fields; a faux pearl caterpillar brooch from Kenneth Jay Lane; a 22k gold-dipped sterling silver butterfly necklace with diamonds from Azaara; brass bee earrings from We Dream in Colour; a gold-plated beetle ring with Austrian crystals from Kenneth Jay Lane, and a green enameled metal bangle with two cicadas clasp from Coldwater Creek.

Among spring’s playful designs highlighted in the February 2012 issue of More magazine is a “silver and crystal” dragonfly pin from Kenneth Jay Lane, pictured alongside a Monarch butterfly on a stylish wicker handbag from Salvatore Ferragamo.

Should the traditional dragonflies, bees and butterflies all be a bit too tame, men’s jewelry label Cast of Vices provides a silver cockroach pin, as featured in an article in the April 15, 2012, issue of the Los Angeles Times.  Also pictured is a Cast of Vices fly pin and a silk rosebud tie pin from Lanvin.

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