‘Tis the season for decorating Christmas trees, and perhaps it is seeing all those bright glass balls festively adorning tree branches that reminds of a design element appearing in all manner of jewelry this season: the sphere.
Certainly round beads, large or small, strung into necklaces are nothing new, as beautiful as they may be. What makes the latest version of spheres so interesting is two factors: the inclusion of texture and design details on the spheres themselves, plus the manner in which a single sphere becomes the focal point of a piece of jewelry.
Illustration: Ring by Munnu/the Gem Palace.
For instance, the December 2009 issue of Harper’s Bazaar magazine includes in its summary of trends for resort, a highly detailed jeweled globe ring by Munnu/the Gem Palace as an accessory that “[makes] any outfit sparkle.” Notice that an entire sphere sits on top of the band of the ring.
Illustration: Rings by Noir Jewelry.
The same magazine issue twice features a pair of goldtone and silvertone-band versions of a spike-adorned spherical ring by Noir Jewelry.
Illustration: Jewelry by Movado.
A new ad from Movado that appears in December 2009 magazines introduces its “new ono jewelry,” including a pair of large spherical pendants in an eye-catching cutout design of circles.
Illustration: Kate Hudson wearing Chopard jewelry in “Nine.”
Chopard was commissioned to create jewelry to suit each of the characters in the new movie “Nine.” Kate Hudson, who plays a fashion journalist, wears as a signature piece a ring consisting of a huge spherical pearl wrapped in a swirl of diamonds.
Illustration: Earrings by Claudia Endler Designs.
An invitation I received to a holiday design show this past weekend featured earrings by one of my colleagues in the Los Angeles Chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association, Claudia Endler. Each earring consists of a single bright textured bead suspended on a chain, visually creating a triangle. Claudia wore those earrings to the WJA-LA holiday party last week, her earrings more memorable and merry than any ornament on the spectacular Christmas tree at the club where the party was held.
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