5 Jewelry Trends From JCK Las Vegas 2013

Jewelry Trend Hunters. Sounds like a show on E! doesn’t it? As a matter of fact, it could be—I’ve really got to get back into the world of television! But anyway, hunting for trends in jewelry is one of the best, most favorite parts of my job (read about the other one here). It’s like a scavenger hunt, shuffling around the show floor, peering through the showcases at each booth as I try to find similarities and connect the dots. I think sometimes trend spotting is all relative: I find something that I really, really love, and say, “Yup, that’s a trend!” But whether or not it actually sticks is up to time and whether or not it’s well-received by the end consumer. There are even those trends, that shall go unnamed, that I’m not particularly crazy about, and though I wager that they won’t be long for this jewelry world, consumers eat them up. As a side note on trends, I’d just love to say: please, please keep the ’90s style going. Ear cuffs, hand wraps, belly chains…no matter the public opinion, I love it. There, I said it. Now, back to business. These are the five jewelry trends that stood out to me on the JCK Las Vegas show floor. I’d love to hear your opinion on them!

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Jewelry trend #1: Color

This probably comes as no surprise, but when asking exhibitors their top seller, the answer was almost always color. The gemstones that stand out as of late: Paraiba tourmaline, rubellite, tsavorite, ametrine, and pink sapphire.

Miiori NY Paraiba cocktail ring

Cornelia Goldsmith bezel-set rubellite ring

Royal India tsavorite drop earrings

James Breski 3 Muses ametrine pendant

Facet Barcelona Bird’s Nest ring

Jewelry trend #2: A touch of rose in bridal

The general consensus among those serving up bridal jewelry was that customers are looking for just an accent of rose gold in their engagement rings, and not fully committing to the rosy-all-over style. Still, some of my favorite finds were crafted in rose gold, and they were downright gorgeous.

Kirk Kara Pirouette wedding set

Diadori rose halo diamond engagement ring

Jeff Cooper Henna Rose wedding set

Daviani Collection rose gold accent engagement ring

Natalie K pink halo diamond engagemeng ring

Jewelry trend #3: Blinged-out critters

From fabulous creepy-crawlies to adorable animals, I saw a lot of wildlife on the show floor this year. And these weren’t just cute little pendants; many of the animal motifs were totally blinged out in everything from diamonds to colored sapphires and other gemstones. And, of course, there were snakes.

M.K. Diamonds & Jewelry diamond butterfly ring

Rina Limor sapphire and tanzanite snake ring

Omi Privé rough alexandrite lizard brooch

Effy Signature panther ring

Orsini sapphire and diamond butterfly ring

Jewelry trend #4: Blackened metals

This is currently my favorite look (I wrote about it here), and there was plenty of it to be found. I found most of the pieces to be black rhodium, while a handful were oxidized sterling silver. When paired with diamonds, I think this is one of the best examples of the black and white craze.

Supreme Jewelry black rhodium diamond saddle ring

Mira Style black and white diamond bangle

Le Vian Black Orchid ring

Norman Covan diamond Contessa ring

Beaudry International pink amethyst dome ring

Jewelry trend #5: “The Great Gatsby”

I personally consider this a life-long trend, since I have somewhat of an obsession with the 1920’s and all things flapper style. But it comes as no surprise that recent film The Great Gatsby—and Tiffany & Co.’s major role in its jewelry wardrobe—has everyone jazzed (see what I did there?) about Art Deco. Straight lines, sapphires, tassels, and long ropes of pearls were abundant. Bring it!