My 5 Biggest Jewelry Trends From 2017

Another year gone, another look at the biggest aesthetic currents of the year. While the styles referred to on this list aren’t really new, that’s what makes them so great—they’ve proven strong enough to stand the test of time, showing up on trends lists for a good number of years.

But each of these styles, from the not-so-humble pearl to the alternate take on engagement rings, keeps growing in ways that are both unexpected and exciting. For this is an industry that never fails to keep creating, innovating, and celebrating the beauty of gemstones and design, and that is the best part.

Pearls Done Differently

Luxe collection earrings in 14k white gold with blue baroque akoya and white South Sea pearls and 1.5 cts. t.w. blue diamonds, $4,050; Little h

Read My Kind of Pearl: Geodes by Designer Hisano Shepherd

A classic strand of pearls, or a pair of stud earrings, is a staple of any retail store and perhaps even jewelry box, but pearls are so much more than just the prim-and-proper necessity these days. From the irresistible designs of Little h‘s Hisano Shepherd to the luxurious, red carpet–ready styles encrusted in diamonds, pearls were a big topic of interest this year—and will continue to be as the years pass.

Signature collection necklace in 18k yellow gold with black marbled agate, South Sea pearl, and 0.8 ct. t.w. diamonds, $11,870; Doryn Wallach

Read 13 Pearls for the New Year

Perola ring in platinum with baroque pearl, 0.69 ct. t.w. Paraiba tourmaline, and 0.58 ct. t.w. diamonds, $24,000; Erica Courtney

Read Clever Pearls

Alternative Bridal

Halo ring in 14k rose gold with 1.18 ct. morganite and 0.13 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,485; Beverley K

Read JCK Las Vegas 2017 Trend: Pink Engagement Rings

Call it what you want—alternative, nontraditional, or simply, different—a departure from the classic diamond engagement ring was strong in 2017, and I imagine, will only continue to strengthen. Artisan styles and colored gemstones, natural diamonds and pretty-in-pink: There’s a pretty wide range of what’s considered suitable for an engagement ring these days. It’s rather exciting, I think!

Breakwater engagement set in 18k rose gold and yellow gold with 0.95 ct. rough-cut diamond center and 0.18 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,400–$2,600; Audrius Krulis

Read Get This: The Bridal Collection From Audrius Krulis

Three-stone ring in 18k white and rose gold with 0.55 ct. t.w. Argyle fancy pink diamonds and 0.31 ct. t.w. round brilliant diamonds, $29,950; Leibish & Co.

Read Pink Diamond Paradise

Molly engagement ring in palladium with 0.75 ct. t.w. diamonds, $7,500; Abby Sparks

Read 9 Alternative Engagement Ring Ideas From Abby Sparks

In Bloom

Palm Desert necklace in 22k gold leaf, $298; Évocateur

Read Rihanna Just Made Bold Florals Even Cooler

An ever-present icon, flowers are always in favor, but 2017 saw them brighter and bigger than ever. It was Rihanna’s 2017 Met Gala ensemble—a fluttering, superfluous creation by Comme des Garçons—that remains the most memorable iteration of floral this year, and I appreciate blooming jewelry even more because of it.

Cascading flower earrings in titanium and 18k white gold with 23.45 cts. t.w. pink and yellow sapphires and 5.51 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Andreoli

Read Stop and Smell the Flowers

Giardini Segreti Haute Couture collection collar necklace with amethyst and diamonds, price on request; Pasquale Bruni

Read Blooming Beauties

Opal (Obviously)

Pea Pod ring in 18k rose gold with 3.3 cts. t.w. opal and 1.59 cts. t.w. diamonds, $6,300; Rock & Gems Jewelry

Read The Everlasting Appeal of Opal

Okay, the presence of opal does not a trend make. But it’s a common thread year after year, and it just keeps getting better. No stone has come along—yet—that I find myself writing about (and coveting) more.

Assorted opal and gemstone rings; Omi Privé

Read The Remarkable Opals of JCK Las Vegas 2017

Ring in platinum with 8.1. ct. black opal and 1.53 cts. t.w. diamonds, $45,000; Oscar Heyman

Read Opal Season

All About Earrings

Calypso earrings in 18k rose gold with 12 mm–13 mm South Sea pearls, 3.07 cts. t.w. pink, yellow, and blue sapphires, and 2.35 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Yoko London

Read Walk the Line: Tiered Drop Earrings

Earrings were big this year—and I don’t just mean in popularity. Sizeable drops, generously circumferenced hoops, and long, shoulder-dusting lines of gems were everywhere from red carpet to retail. Like everything else on this list, I think these styles will still be going strong into the new year.

Adorn earring charms in 14k yellow gold with champagne diamonds, $500 (hoops sold separately, $150); Nina Nguyen

Read The Very Charming Hoop Earring

Earring jackets in 14k rose gold with pearls, yellow beryl, citrines, pink tourmaline, red garnets, and 0.13 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,575; Jane Taylor Jewelry

Read Chandelier Earrings