Not only floral motifs but also representatives of the animal kingdom are capturing the imagination of jewelry designers and stylists this spring. The lightness inherent in designs of birds, wings and feathers is the perfect accompaniment to spring’s lighter fabrics and pale hues.

The March 2010 issue of InStyle magazine features a full-page spread of primarily white diamond designs entitled “Love Birds,” in which Marion Fasel writes that the precious flock of designs “would make any of spring’s delicate pastel ensembles take flight.” The white diamond designs featured in the spread include rings by Sevan and Van Cleef & Arpels, pendant necklaces by House of Waris and Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., and earrings by Mizuki.

Although InStyle’s illustrations are limited to rings, earrings and pendants, don’t forget that brooches are another wonderful way to incorporate these motifs into a jewelry wardrobe.

The stylists of Marie Claire magazine were especially creative in styling the dress designed by Project Runway contestant Anthony Williams and worn by Heidi Klum on the cover of the April 2010 issue of the magazine. The origami-like detail of the dress is highlighted with what appears to be five white diamond brooches. Take note: They are actually post earrings by Lorraine Schwartz creatively used as brooches!

It appears that one pair of the very same Lorraine Schwartz earrings appears in a photo of Kate Beckinsale in a feature on sky blue eyeshadow in the April 2010 issue of InStyle magazine:

And should the white diamond varieties of feather, wing and bird motifs be insufficiently colorful to tempt some people, InStyle magazine’s March 2010 issue opens the door to consideration of more colorful gems. In the montage of designs above, note a ring of rubies set into 18kt peach gold by Pade Vavra Fine Jewelry (middle left), and a wing-shaped pendant of champagne-colored diamonds set in 14kt gold by Jessica Robinson (bottom right)

A jaunty feather, soft wing or graceful bird design can have the most welcome effect of lifting the spirits just in time for spring, especially when rendered in sparkling gemstones.

JCK