Editors attending Jewelry Information Center (JIC)'s fine jewelry preview and luncheon last week got an early glance at the industry's top trends for 2011, from the latest in colored gemstones to designer offerings in that "metal of the moment," sterling silver, ccording to www.nationaljewelernetwork.com.
An annual event, the luncheon was attended this year by leading fashion and accessories editors and stylists from magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and W, who look to the JIC for direction on the latest in fine jewelry and watch trends, according to the organization, the consumer education arm of Jewelers of America.
When it comes to the latest jewelry, silver designs play an integral role in the trends dialogue, and it isn't just that the price is right for consumers looking to update their jewelry boxes at self-purchasing price points.
Versatile and fashionable, silver is used in simple yet striking sculptural designs, such as Emanuela Duca's "Magma" neckpiece, an organic, collar-style design shown at the preview, to more ornate, vintage-style designs, like earrings from Lika Behar featuring moonstones set in oxidized silver and accented with 24-karat gold. See more silver designs from the event on our 10X blog by clicking here.
As with Lika Behar's design, Emanuela Duca's neckpiece also featured oxidized silver accented with gold, a metal combination that retailers can expect to be a major trend at the counter in 2011. For retailers who haven't dipped into the silver marketplace just yet, designer silver-gold pieces, especially those set with diamonds and gemstones and created by names such as Todd Reed and Kimberly Collins, offer higher-end options.
As evidenced via the above pieces, oxidized silver finishes are expected to go strong into 2010, not just when used in combination with gold, but also in silver-only designs, making for edgier looks, as seen in Simmons Jewelry Co.'s three-dimensional charm featuring a menacing skull.
Also appearing at the luncheon were a variety of geometric-inspired silver designs celebrating simplicity of form, from Dogeared's smooth, circular "Together Forever" bangles to Neda Nassiri's "Oval Dot" earrings featuring fine silver ovals formed into a diamond-shaped silhouette.
