DUVALL O'STEEN
World Gold Coucil
MOTHER NATURE: Nature is definitely strong in gold, with flora and fauna still dominating. K. BRUNINI'S new Objects Organique line gets its inspiration from the natural elements, beautifully and organically brought to life in 18K yellow gold and various precious gems.
IN SHAPE: Geometry is still very important in gold with an abundance of medallion pendant necklaces. But this year geometry goes three dimensional, too, with boules, cubes and spheres being crafted in gold by many of Italy's leading designers. The square or rectangle motif is also popular as a link or a pendant; it serves as a nice alternative to the ubiquitous circle.
70'S SHOW: Pop culture is also hip again as ROBERT BEE MORRIS introduces his new Andy Warhol collection. Morris' tribute to the pop-art icon perfectly fits the 70's retro look.
CINDY EDELSTEIN
JEWELER'S RESOURCE BUREAU
NOT TRANSPARENT: At the recent Accessories Circuit trade show in NYC, I saw a lot of vintage-inspired collage looks - mostly in bridge jewelry but the "assemblage" influence could be felt in fine jewelry with more multiple components, charms, lockets and fobs.
CHAIN GANG: Lots of earrings with graduated, faceted stone drops and hoops with draping chains and tiny bead accents. Hoops were in all shapes and sizes while the chain and bead details resembled fabric details from afar. SHAESBY, SONYA OOTEN, BECKY KELSO and several others were leading this trend.
NET GAIN: Ooten's new Fishnet Collection is the next phase of the large faceted gem trend she helped create. Now she has encased them with gold links like fishnet to dress them up and add some glint.
SHAYE STRAGER
STUDIO PR
SIGN OF THE TIMES: The charm trend is definitely back with a nod to the 70's and 80's. MAURI PIOPPO'S charms tap into the Zen yoga crowd while Emily & Ashley hits the "must-have" crowd.
NATURE CALLING: Butterflies reign for spring and summer with designers and fashion houses giving flight to this trend. SEVAN is launching his new bugs and animal collection this season, complete with butterflies, snails, lady bugs and other creatures.
SIZE MATTERS: Oxidized silver has been the go-to metal to complement 18K yellow gold this season in cocktail rings. SEVAN shocked the retail crowd last year with his unique cocktail-ring line. Rising star EMILY ARMENTA has created an oxidized-silver line for spring. And, as far as size goes, bigger will be better this season.
OLD NEW: The vintage and Edwardian styles are taking over as the trendsetters for diamonds. These designs are using smaller stones to create big looks at price points that suit most customers.
DELLA SMITH
DELLA SMITH & ASSOCIATES
PRIME CUTS: When it comes to engagement rings bigger is better as it seems the new trend is to "show off from the start". Favorite cuts are the princess and cushion as seen in the new DAVID YURMAN Bridal Collection.
FULL SCALE: Serpents are forever as is the mythical dragon. They are always interpreted in such interesting ways with gemstones. Stylish and blue, the Capri Snake by PIEREZ ITALIA is a stunner. And if diamonds are a source of temptation what could be more tempting than a snake in brown and white diamonds by HEMMERLE.
COLOSSAL COCKTAIL: Cocktail rings this season are huge, in more ways than one! The most beautiful ones have pavé settings framing exotic stones. PASQUALE BRUNI fashions unusually faceted stones with diamonds which makes them appear to undulate. And, I love the gothic look of LYDIA COURT-EILLE'S Tete de Mort ring.
BRAD PRICE
KROMBHOLZ JEWELERS
SHINING STARS: Zodiac-style charms are part of the 70's revival that is driven by some of the same things. We have done very well this holiday season with MICHOU'S Kanji Collection, which features the ancient Chinese art of calligraphy.
FANCY CUTS: As the 2007 bridal season starts we are seeing many of the strong trends continue. Radiant cuts, emerald cuts, and cushions are doing well. White metal still prevails and the use of micro pavé is still a hot trend. We have seen an increase in the use of color as both side stones and centers. Sapphires are the most popular choice of color with fancy yellow diamonds following.
BUG ME: People continue to be enchanted by butterflies and dragonflies in every color and price point. We have had sterling, enamel, sapphire, ruby and diamond pieces all do well. Ladybugs and bees are also very popular. I think these tend to do well for us because even though they are whimsical, they still remain fairly classic.
NANCY SCHURING
DEVON FINE JEWELRY
HORSING AROUND: The surge in the popularity of all things equestrian - handbags, clothing, and footwear naturally will gallop into jewelry. Check out Kabana's Equestrian Collection for sterling and gold "anatomically correct" renditions of equines and tack that will please the most discriminating horse lover.
ANIMAL KINGDOM: National Geographic has nothing on D. PAGLIA & SON of New Jersey. They get it so right with the full gamut of realistically detailed animal jewelry from the seashore to the African plains, from lobsters to elephants.
MY GENERATION: It's surreal to be uttering those two little words again - cocktail rings - but do believe it. BELLARI of Scottsdale, AZ, excels at the large gemmy look with surprisingly feminine details and world-class workmanship in 18K gold. "First generation" cocktail rings were one color. The "second generation" combined two colors. The new generation is all about color and Bellarri has got the "third generation" with multi-color well on-hand.
CYNTHIA SLIWA
APPRECIA FINE JEWELRY
HIPPY CHIC: Zodiac designs as well as monogrammed pendants are a flashback to groovier years. Signet rings are a logical point of progression for the interest in monograms.
WHITE CHOICE: White sapphires are getting attention' they're an intriguing option for the customer who may be skittish about wearing diamonds. There's an indefinable "cool" factor in using something that is so obviously politically correct. EMILY & ASHLEY makes a monogram pendant surrounded by white sapphires.
HOT HEAD: Hair accessories are hot, and jewelry in the hair of a bride is a wonderful way to focus the viewer's eye on the bride's radiant face. A beautifully placed diamond or gemstone brooch is so much classier than a rhinestone tiara, and can be enjoyed not only immediately after the bridal veil comes off, but for years to come.
PEARL GRIL: Pearls are a perennial favorite of brides but are not good choices for hair adornment. Urge your customers to consider that hairspray and other hair products may damage pearls; hardy faceted gemstones are a better choice.
