Jewelry to the Rescue! Fine Jewelry Trends 2011

NEW YORK, How many-mornings have you spent standing in front of your closet thinking: "I have nothing to wear?" With all of the fabulous fine jewelry pieces this season, one needs-to look no further than her nearest reputable Jewelers of America's jewelry store. Jewelry designers are coming out with statement pieces that can take you from the days of wearing billowy-summer dresses into the blustery cold days of winter.
Black is back for jewelry that is. Today, oxidized metals, with a finish that looks black, are taking the jewelry industry by storm. Sterling silver is the most popular and affordable precious-metal. Look for blackened sterling silver bold cuff bracelets set with black pave (or paved) diamonds.  Blackened sterling silver jewelry with high-karat yellow or rose (pink) gold details are also hot ticket items.  Looking for the statement piece to wear with everything this season?  Opt for cocktail-rings, long-handing pendants and tassel earrings with natural colored gemstones. Rutilated quartz, moonstone, spinel, agate, amber and onyx are subtle choices when set into a blackened precious metal setting. 

Friendship bracelets like those worn in the 1980s are back in full-swing.  Today's bracelets are being purchased not only for friends as well as oneself as a self-proclamation of style and personality. Layered-on in multiples and worn like a second-skin, today's friendship-bracelets feature leather, suede and silk bracelets. Talismans, religious, iconic symbols and abstract shapes are the typically chosen as center charms. Made-from precious materials like 18 karat yellow, white or rose-gold add a little luxury to a seemingly casual style. Pave beads in black, brown, champagne or grey diamonds look-sultry and subtle, adding just a glint of sparkle to something so simple. 

"Neck-cuffs," which are structured collars for the neck are the necklace-style of the season.  They sit atop clavicle bone and-remind us of the rock-n-roll necklaces of the 1980s.  Smooth and polished with minimal detail these new necklaces are unlike the "bib" and "V" shaped necklaces of seasons-past.  The busy designs, gemstones and chains will be left behind, in lieu of these simple straightforward necklaces made from precious-metals with limited adornment.

Jewelry Information Center (JIC) was founded as a non-profit trade association in 1946. JIC is now the consumer public relations and marketing-arm of Jewelers of America. Visit www.JIC.org.

SOURCE Jewelers of America