Every year around this time, with the introduction of fall fashions and the approach of the holiday season, it seems that accessories editors tell their higher-ups, “Hey, we’ve got way too many gorgeous jewels and not enough space!” And thus the fashion magazines give their readers feature photo spreads that are loaded—absolutely positively loaded—with jewelry. Marie Claire in particular has embraced this approach to showcasing jewelry.

The August 2012 issue of Marie Claire sets up a conceit called “Night Watch”: “Under the cover of pitch-black darkness-guided only by the light of pavé rings and wrists full of silver—structured bags serve and protect your every need.” The first page of the six-page photo spread, shown above, features a dress from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, and a belt and bag from Azzedine Alaïa, along with the following lots o’ jewels:

• choker by H.Stern
• panther-theme circle necklace, tassel necklace, bracelet and ring by Cartier
• snake bracelets by Sidney Garber
• white gold and diamond cuff by Wilfredo Rosado
• diamond rings and charm ring by de Grisogono
• braided cuff by David Yurman
• watch, nail bracelet, and stacked nail rings, also by Cartier

The above page from August’s Marie Claire focuses on wristwatches. Accompanying a top from Emilio Pucci, pants from Roberto Cavalli, and Dior bag are the following lots o’ jewels:

• chain link watch by Rolex
• chain link watch by Tourneau
• zebra-pattern watch, black band watch, and full-finger ring by Jacob & Co.
• double-finger snake ring by Colette
• full-finger ring (seen on the right hand) by Repossi
• curved ring by H.Stern
• cuff by David Yurman
• diamond watch by Chopard
• snake hand bracelet, by Gaydamak
• double-finger cross ring by Elise Dray

Here’s yet another page from the Marie Claire spread, picturing a Versace coat and Prada bag with the following lots o’ jewels:

• watches, bracelets, and ring, by Van Cleef & Arpels
• hand bracelet, by Gaydamak
• crosshatch cuff, by Simon G
• watch by Rolex
• diamond bracelet, thin bracelet, ring band, and twisted two-finger ring, also by Van Cleef & Arpels

The other three pages of the spread are much the same.

The July 2012 issue of Marie Claire includes a six-page spread entitled “Denim & Diamonds”: “To hit the perfect note of casual luxury, channel a whatever attitude with blue jeans, black leather, and a smattering of precious jewels. Fancy without being fussy.” In the photo above, the model wears a jacket from Guess with the following lots o’ jewels:

• short multi-strand necklace by Chopard
• short single-strand necklace and five-band stacked ring by Tiffany & Co.
• long double-strand necklace and diamond bracelet, by De Beers
• watch by de Grisogono
• thin bracelet and crosshatch bracelet by Bulgari
• black bangle by Jacob & Co.
• thin ring, stacked thin rings, and extra-thin bangles by Tacori
• watch by Chanel Fine Jewelry
• leather cuff by Hermès;
• silver and diamond bangle and snake ring, also by Bulgari
• thin diamond bracelet and thin rings, also by Tiffany & Co.
• full-finger ring, also by Jacob & Co.

The July–August 2012 issue of More magazine put together this ensemble, mixing plenty of bright colors in the form of an Ann Taylor blouse, Calvin Klein pants, Sole Society wedges, and a pair of clutches from Navoh, along with the following lots o’ jewels:

• necklace, by Stella & Dot
• rhinestone necklace, by Loft
• ring, by Chloe + Isabel
• ring, by Erica Anenberg
• gold-plated cuff by Sequin
• gold-plated bracelets, by R.J. Graziano
• link bracelet, by Kenneth Jay Lane
• “gold” cuff by For Roman Luxe;
• metal cuff by Hallelu

Some of the fashion houses are also prone to display a good portion of their jewelry all at once. Ralph Lauren heeded the “more is more” call with this ad from October fashion magazines, mixing huge crystal stones and plenty of chains with a top hat—in case the faux-fur animal print jacket isn’t quite enough to catch one’s eye.  

Here’s an ad for David Webb, displaying a colorful mix of jewelry.

Another designer to jump on the lots o’ jewels bandwagon is Michael Kors, who featured this ad in October fashion magazines.

Are these editorials and advertisements realistic? How many necklaces and bracelets can one person stylishly wear at one time? Apparently, in the view of some designers and stylists, never enough.

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