Jewelry Trend to Watch: The Butterfly Motif

The popularity of butterfly jewelry really isn’t anything new. The colorful insect motif has been in use for centuries and was particularly evident during the Art Nouveau era. Still, the use of butterflies in modern jewelry seems to be on an upswing. It’s tough to pinpoint exactly why the motif is on the rise again; romantic silhouettes and woodland creatures seem to have captivated jewelry and fashion audiences, so it could stem from there. My ’90s-loving self wants to blame the resurgence of the era of ripped jeans and tattoo chokers, when Mariah Carey broke out of her shell (er, chrysalis) and utilized the butterfly as her own personal symbol. Every girl in my class wanted a butterfly necklace after that—it was the undeniable status symbol of an 11-year-old. But these looks aren’t for your grade-schoolers: Dripping in diamonds, colored gems, and intricate detail, madame butterfly is all grown up. I expect to see more looks like these at JCK Las Vegas (be on the lookout!) but for now, here’s just a taste.

For more information on each piece including designer, materials, and price, simply click each image.