JCK’s 10 Most-Read Style and Design Stories of 2025

By Victoria Gomelsky | December 22, 2025

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the top 10 ranking of style and design stories published by JCK in 2025 is what didn’t make the list. The news of Taylor Swift’s engagement in August didn’t rank (we suspect because it was so widely covered elsewhere), but never fear, Tay Tay still moved the editorial needle, as you’ll see below.

While the list culminates with our No. 1 most-read piece—a hit list of trends from our favorite style guru—there is a clear takeaway for jewelers: Pearls are the year’s most captivating topic. Maybe Pantone is actually onto something with Cloud Dancer?!

10. James Avery’s Reissued Archival Designs Thrill Fans

By Karen Dybis

James Avery May DFA — *James Avery reintroduced 1983’s butterfly and flower bracelet in May as part of its yearlong Designs From Our Archives project. (photo courtesy of James Avery Artisan Jewelry)*

The past is present at the beloved Texas-based brand, whose monthly limited edition “Designs From Our Archives” promotion, featuring reproductions of its retired jewelry pieces, struck a chord with clients new and old this year. Read the story.

9. The Tin Cup Necklace Makes a 2020s Comeback

By Victoria Gomelsky

Tanya Farah pearl necklace — *Large rectangular link & 17-inch pearl necklace in 18k gold, $22,800; Tanya Farah*

Lo and behold, the Tin Cup necklace—essentially, a simple station necklace featuring pearls on a chain—is back, along with other 1990s trends that have captured the hearts and minds of Gen Z. Read the story.

8. This Celebrity Has the Best Engagement Ring, According to Poll

By Annie Davidson Watson

Meghan Markle at Invictus 2025 — *Meghan Markle, wearing her engagement ring, at the 2025 Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler in January (photo: DPPA/Sipa USA/Sipa via AP Images)*

A survey of 2,000 British adults, conducted ahead of Valentine’s Day, ranked the top five celebrity engagement rings. The results proved that classic styles continue to capture the heart. Read the story.

7. Taylor Swift’s Engagement Sparks Interest in Gold Watches

By Victoria Gomelsky

Cartier Santos Demoiselle small — *Taylor Swift wore a small-size Cartier Santos Demoiselle watch in the engagement photos seen around the world. (Photo courtesy of SwissWatchExpo)*

Taylor Swift’s supersize antique diamond ring may have won the internet when she and fiancé Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Instagram, but her more attainable (though still quite pricey) yellow gold Cartier Santos Demoiselle wristwatch is poised to sway the masses. Read the story.

6. Sotheby’s to Offer Anne Schlumberger’s Jewelry and Design Collection

By Annie Davidson Watson

Salvador Dali necklace — *Salvador Dalí Swirling Sea necklace in 18k gold with sapphire and emerald beads, pearls, and diamonds* *(photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)*

A collection of jewelry, art, and design owned by Anne Schlumberger, the French-born heiress (and distant cousin of Tiffany & Co. designer Jean Schlumberger), drew attention to a series of international exhibitions and sales Sotheby’s organized this fall. Read the story.

5. Gucci Unveils a New Lexicon of Italian Luxury

By Annie Davidson Watson

Gucci Pomellato — *Monili bracelet, from Gucci and Pomellato’s first-ever high jewelry collaboration* *(photo courtesy of Gucci)*

Gucci’s unveiling of three high jewelry collections during Paris Haute Couture Week in July signaled a new era of Italian opulence—deeply referential, defiantly modern, and unmistakably Gucci. Read the story.

4. Sotheby’s to Auction $8 Million Single-Owner Collection in December

By Annie Davidson Watson

*Suzanne Belperron necklace with pink topaz, morganite, aquamarine, and diamonds (photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)*

At Sotheby’s, a single-owner sale spotlighting more than 60 design-driven pieces from the world’s most esteemed jewelers, including Suzanne Belperron and Joel Arthur Rosenthal (aka JAR), helped drive interest in the house’s inaugural luxury auctions at its new Breuer building in New York. Read the story.

3. Jewelry Designers Keep Falling in Love With Baroque Pearls

By Karen Dybis

Whxte baroque pearl necklace — *Whxte’s Full Moon necklace ($5,784) has a removable baroque pearl on a 14k yellow gold Italian omega chain. (Photo courtesy of Whxte)*

When Dame Helen Mirren wore a necklace by Margot McKinney featuring a baroque Australian South Sea pearl drop to a red carpet event in New York City, she highlighted the growing trend for these wonderful, oddly shaped gemstones. Read the story.

2. How Pearls Keep Coming Back in Style

By Victoria Gomelsky

Suzanne Belperron pearl necklace — *Vintage pearl and diamond necklace by Suzanne Belperron, c. 1932–1940,* The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery (photo courtesy of ACC Artbooks 2025)

While researching her new book, The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery, author and historian Beth Bernstein immersed herself in the jewelry styles that emerged between the 1930s and the early 1980s. Along the way, she noticed something impossible to deny about pearls over the past century: “They went in and out of fashion.” Read the story.

1. These 5 Jewelry Trends Will Rule Spring 2025

By Victoria Gomelsky

Khepri Jewels Jardin necklace — *(Also pictured at top) Emerald Bead II 18-inch necklace in 18k and 22k gold with 78 cts. t.w. emerald beads and 2.9 cts. t.w. emerald marquise drops, $12,200; Khepri Jewels*

In an annual tradition, we asked JCK jewelry director and resident style guru Randi Molofsky to highlight the year’s emerging trends. And as with every year, Molofsky, the owner of For Future Reference, a bicoastal brand development agency that represents some of the industry’s most talented designers, delivered a first-rate forecast. Read the story.