As the current year is ticking off its last hours many jewelers hope the New Year bells will chime in a fresh breeze in their business. It will, but not for pipe dreamers. The coming year may turn into an opportunity for those who will be able to conquer a “tight-fisted” market where design is going to be its major selling commodity shaped into slimmer but more enticing jewelry. Hence the year 2009 may well turn into a scene of competition between various designer teams reigning in jewelry workshops. The main prize for those properly outfit and ready will be a yummy slice of this new market pie.
In the run-up to this “crisis fashion” many are venturing new design venues right now, so the Jewelry Information Center (JIC), a non-profit trade association, powered by nearly 1,000 manufacturers, designers, and retailers of fine jewelry has offered some slants on jewelry art in the 2008-2009 season. According to JIC, jewelry designers did not hold back creativity, investment and commitment despite the poor value of the dollar and the rising oil and gas prices. For consumers, jewelry continues to be the bright spot in peoples' marking happy, momentous occasions. Here's what jewelry styles will be abundant this season: Hard to ignore, oversized necklaces have been shown universally in the major fashion publications over the past several months. There are a few beauties to note in the fine jewelry arena including: snake-like chain link triple strand necklaces; mesh webbing "bib" shaped precious metal styles; intertwined chain link necklaces; modern chunky Riviere necklaces (made to look like a river of gemstones) crafted from affordable colored gemstones clustered together. For winter we will see big, bold, blackened and bejeweled cuffs, JIC says. Blackened sterling silver in particular is the metal of preference for bracelets. Colored gemstones, mostly cabochon, milky and opaque are popular accents. Rose-cut diamonds and colored gemstones also make for subtle sophisticated detailing. Black gemstones, paired with high-karat gold, produce a rich look that will also be seen this season, according to JIC. Big earrings are back- especially in the form of large gold hoops. Note that the freshest versions are forward facing. Concentric circles floating in the center of an outer hoop are trending. Pavé diamond hoops with lots of "bling" are also welcome additions. Bigger, bolder and brighter diamonds are being used as well as black and brown, champagne, cognac diamonds. Loved for their punch of color and breath taking size, gemmy cocktail rings have become a fun classic. The news in this category however is the cocktail ring crafted without using large heroic gemstones. Large disks made from precious metals with interesting treatments sit atop the finger for a sixties "Mod" cocktail ring. Clusters of small gemstones form a dramatic compilation cocktail ring. Solid carved gemstones with a hole for the finger are the most avant-guard kind of cocktail rings, appealing to the artsy and confident consumer.
Commenting on skin and micro jewelry, the Silver Jewellery Designer portal quotes Frank Bonarel, director of the select fitness Ken Club in Paris, who notes that “women almost always take off their fragile jewelry or pieces that could hit them when practicing their favorite exercise.” The efforts in terms of design and sophistication are, for the most part, concentrated on women's active garments and technical accessories like weights (Philippe Starck), elastic bands or various types of ballasts. A very exciting new product from the Italian brand Newd: the first piece of silver jewelry that is applied directly on the skin! Wherever and whenever you want - it is repositionable and water-resistant. A precious star or sun to place on the small of the back, around the navel or on the arm making the active body truly sublime. A sort of "second-skin jewel" and a "soft" alternative to piercing. Micro-jewellery continues its rise to success, attracting consumers who want to spend 100% of their treasure. Featherweight pieces of jewellery that you almost forget you are wearing. At the last Eclat de Mode trade fair in Paris, the young designer Marie Laure T. offered up minuscule wings in silver on a micro-ball chain. The new brand Feidt, for its part, caters exclusively to this demand for tiny jewels, designed on themes like the Tree of Life or Yin&Yang.
According to JewelleryNetAsia, following the successful launch of its new collection in Paris, Milan and New York, Italian-based Rosato is reaching out into the overseas markets of London, Rio de Janeiro and Dubai. The theme of this jewellery collection, which is called "City Collection," is always the same: to recreate different cities through symbols, colours and sensations, making wonderful jewels to wear. Thus, Rosato creates bracelets with funny charms reflecting the most recognizable icons of the above mentioned cities. The charms on the London bracelet reflect different aspects of this city, from the monarchy to tea and the raincoat; the Rio de Janeiro bracelet features a bouquet of charms full of sun, colour and fun; and the charms on the Dubai bracelet include a finely decorated slipper and the symbols of Dubai: gold and the camel, reflecting the city's love of tradition.
