These Are the 5 Essential Jewels to Stock for 2022

With the Omicron variant throwing a wrench in January jewelry industry plans, I feel particularly reticent to make any 2022 predictions. I have less of a chance of foretelling how the pandemic will affect the year ahead than I had predicting the recent Amanda Nunes versus Juliana Pena UFC upset—and I didn’t see that coming in the slightest.

The only mindset I can take into the new year is to expect the unexpected. That seems like a cop out, but it’s the best I can come up with.

What I know for sure is that that when I’m stressed I like to shop, and I’m not alone in that behavior, judging by the past two years of booming jewelry sales.

In that vein, one type of prediction very much within my wheelhouse is what jewelry styles people will want to buy in the coming year.

Trends come and go, but there are certain essential jewelry items to have in one’s wardrobe today, regardless of age or gender, that can be selected per an individual’s style and preference.

The following are the must-have categories I’m stocking in my imaginary jewelry store in 2022.

The Mismatched Studs

One of the smartest pieces of jewelry I saw in 2021 was Misahara’s “Minis.” They capitalize on the multiple piercing trend and make it easy for customers to style themselves.

Sold in packs of four, shoppers can choose from Misahara’s mix of individual earrings—stars, moons, snakes, infinity symbols, birthstones, and other timeless motifs—or if they’re not keen to mix it up too much, they can select two matching pairs.

Either way, the packaging is a clever presentation of a current jewelry trend. It does most of the thinking for the multi-piercing newbie while still allowing the fun of getting to play with different combinations. 

Ear “stacking” if you will, has been a major part of the Alison Lou brand since it started, with a plethora of whimsical single earrings to choose from, while Mimi So offers a more elevated take that will appeal to the lover of classic luxury.

Each company sell studs individually for the utmost versatility.

The Personalized Pendant

Something about a jewel unique to the purchaser—courtesy of initials and zodiacs—tugs the heart strings just a little harder than simply a stylistic favorite.

Retailers should make it clear they offer engraving and custom design options through their designer partners. Personalization transports pieces to the sentimental heirloom category for shoppers and is perfect for gifting.

Aurelia Demark has an elegant collection of zodiac jewels with hand-drawn interpretations of astrological signs that communicate her signature childhood nostalgic aesthetic.

Most of the best contemporary independent brands, Marlo Laz and Jemma Wynne included, have personalized pieces in their oeuvres.   

The Perfect Pinky

For centuries, men claimed the signet ring as one of their signature jewelry pieces, but in recent years, the pinky ring has been trending for women, too. As gender labels in jewelry become less relevant, the pinky remains a mainstay for all jewelry lovers. (It’s personally my favorite piece to wear.)

Lots of brands are doing exciting things with them.

K Kane has been having a love affair with diamonds custom cut in the shape of the alphabet, and its chunky pinky ring edition is the most compelling style yet.

Third-generation Indian brand Kamyen is captivating a new, fashion-forward audience with its delightful pinky rings that feature fun gemstone and enamel color combinations.

Dubai-based Susanna Martins, one of my favorite brands to follow at the moment, makes fabulous modern-feeling rings in a plethora of colors and shapes. Worn, her evil eye makes a huge impact.

The Never-Take-Off Bracelet

Much like a pinky ring, there’s something reassuring about a bracelet one hardly removes. My current favorites run the gamut from attainable to ultra-luxurious, but all have an unfussy, go-with-every-outfit feel.

Nouvel Heritage is confident in its recognizable signature design, the Mood Bangle, with its clasp that one can put on and take off oneself. It’s this solution to an oft-overlooked pain point that makes it the most essential bracelet to have in any person’s jewelry arsenal.

Another put-it-on-yourself treasure? (Here’s to making PIOY the new DIY in 2022!) Sylva & Cie’s stretchy bracelets available in various diamond and colored gemstone iterations have the easy feel of a ponytail holder on the wrist, but pack a seriously glamorous punch, embodying today’s low-key approach to luxury.

I became aware of Yearly Co. this year via GemGossip while perusing Instagram. The young Nashville-based brand was born from a family tradition of wearing a gold bangle to mark each year of marriage. When they couldn’t procure the third-generation family accessory, they began making them in-house.

It’s the simplest design concept with such a touching story. I immediately messaged the company’s Instagram posts to my husband so he could belatedly snap up two for our two years of marriage. While I’m an ardent self-purchaser, this romantic tradition was one that resonated with me. 

The Pop of Color

Perhaps there’s an inverse mood between the state of the world and fine jewelry: the more tumultuous the headlines the more ebullient the jewels.

Lots of joyful color is what makes jewelry feel like an antidote to the world’s doom and gloom and I’m loving all of it, whether achieved through colored gemstones, bright enamel, or a combination of both.

Melissa Kaye’s elegant pieces are decidedly non-traditional with her pioneering enamel shades. She’s proved how much color resonates with consumers, from neons to pastels. Kaye does the experimenting and a plethora of designers follow in her wake.

A fantastic, gemmy cocktail ring from Nadine Aysoy speaks to jewelry’s maximalist mood, while more demure gold and resin layering pieces from Gigi Clozeau feel like a second skin, perfect for layering in a #neckmess.

I’ve got a Gigi Clozeau purchased from fabulous Kansas City, Kansas store Pendleton Jewelry under my Christmas tree right now, though alas it’s not for me. 

They say it’s better to give than to receive but I’ll blame Omicron if I’m sporting a matching version in early 2022.

Happy Holidays!