13 Jewelry Trends Top Influencers Are Loving

Last Friday during JCK LUXURY 2018, a lively panel discussion gathered Shane Clark, a Brides magazine contributor and brand consultant; Kareem Rashed, a fashion writer and stylist who contributes to Robb Report and other luxury media outlets; and Lauren Eggertsen, fashion editor of the popular blog Who What Wear, in an intimate lounge setting to chat about the jewelry trends retailers should be tracking and investing in.

JCK’s Emili Vesilind moderated the panel, posing a number of thoughtful questions that got the influencers speaking to the hottest things going in each jewelry category, the long-range implications of Meghan Markle’s royal wedding jewelry choices, as well as who to follow, and potentially partner with, on Instagram.

One of the most valuable insights came from Eggertsen, who is also the cofounder of the Instagram brand @thedevilswearzara, with regard to the audience she knows best: millennials and Gen Zers.

“In the past, it perhaps hasn’t been [considered] as cool to love fine jewelry, but that’s changed,” she said. “Young people are now very interested in buying it, especially from the jewelry designer everyone is talking about, or doesn’t know about yet—it’s cool to know who Jennie Kwon or Jade Trau is, for example, and to own one of their rings.”

More good news: High fashion and fine jewelry are more integrated than ever before. “The consumer is going to e-commerce sites like Farfetch, Net-a-Porter, Barneys, and Moda Operandi to buy ready-to-wear and clicking into the other tabs to buy fine jewelry,” said Eggertsen.

All three panelists agreed with JCK editors that stacking rings, asymmetrical dangle earrings, hoops, and lab-grown diamonds will continue to captivate jewelry shoppers for the foreseeable future.

Shell-motif jewels were identified as an emerging trend. And sculptural silver jewelry and signet rings also remain au courant.

Below, 13 of the jewelry trends our panelists find most compelling; not surprisingly, there were plentiful examples available on the Vegas show floors—all price points accounted for!

Ear stacks

“One trend that stands out for me is that of multiple piercings and earrings that climb up the ear,” said Clark. “The variation, and personalization, of earring styles is exciting.”

Mix-and-match stud earrings by Arman Sarkisyan

Bibs and collars

Diamond necklace by Christopher Designs

Gold necklace by Phillip Gavriel

Bib necklace by Todd Reed

Charms and talismans

Layerable, wear-everyday jewelry, especially pendants that can be personalized with a zodiac sign, a monogram or another likewise symbolic, or amuletic, motif are on fire.

Gold and enamel rings by Foundrae

Monogram pendants by Stuller

Evil eye pendant by Sydney Evan

Three-stone engagement rings

“This setting has been around, but thanks to Meghan Markle, it’s back in style and it’s nice to see it come back,” said Clark.

Three-stone engagement ring with round diamonds by Sasha Primak

Three-stone emerald-cut engagement ring with baguettes by Jennifer Dawes

Three-stone L’Amour Crisscut diamond ring by Christopher Designs

Supersize eternity bands

According to the panelists, a chunky diamond band can pull double duty as the engagement ring and wedding band. A lone ring, instead of a wedding set (or wedding stack, as the case may be) can feel more casual and modern.

Diamond eternity bands by Rahaminov Diamonds

Aquamarines

“The Meghan Markle aquamarine ring is going to be huge,” said Rashed.

Antique aquamarine ring from Beneficial Estate Buyers

Aquamarine ring by Just Jules

Antique aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring from Dover Jewelry & Diamonds

Opals

“They’re still hot, and this is also one of the top-performing engagement ring trends, especially set in rose gold,” said Clark.

Opal rings by M. Spalten

Opal pendant by Effy Hatanian

Opal and spinel ring by OMI Gems

Opal butterfly bracelet by Wendy Yue

Emeralds

“There’s so much variety,” said Rashed. “You can have that big, faceted, really clear perfect emerald or something with some inclusions and character.”

Emerald bracelet by Dana Bronfman

Emerald button stud earring by Federica Rettore

Emerald earrings by Nak Armstrong for Gemfields x Muse

Rainbow palettes

JCK has been tracking this one for a while. In our editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky’s words: “If you’re looking for one key trend from this year’s Vegas shows, my vote goes to multicolor jewels in fashionable styles, especially for this summer.”

Rainbow sapphire necklace by M. Spalten (image courtesy of Barri Luxury Consulting)