CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2013
Show session outlines what’s hot for fall
Industry professionals got the inside scoop on jewelry trends for the fall season at an educational seminar held Monday afternoon at the JA New York Summer Show.
This Bochic cuff is carved black jet with 18-karat white gold and diamonds ($41,850). Black-and-white jewelry is a predicted trend for fall 2013.
New York--Industry professionals got the inside scoop on jewelry trends for the fall season at an educational seminar held Monday afternoon at the JA New York Summer Show.
Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America’s director of public relations and special events, conducted the session, outlining the predicted trends as well as what shapes those predictions and how jewelry professionals can forecast trends on their own and pass them on to their customers.
The seminar came on the second and final day of the show’s JA-sponsored educational program, which kicked off with high attendance and enthusiasm on the first day of the show.
Gizzi identified seven major trends for fall 2013.
--Opal opulence. “Consumers know opals, and often think of them as old-fashioned, but designers are changing that now. It’s all about being able to play off many different colors. Every stone tells a different story, so look for opals with different characteristics, not just your traditional opal,” Gizzi said.
--Glorious gold. “With gold prices before, there was a scale back--designers used lighter weights, more cut-out designs. But the gold prices are dropping. The media is talking about it and designers are getting excited. We’ll see the heavier gold pieces coming back, styles will become chunky, and there will be a lot of texture, pieces that look antique or hand-worked,” she said.
--Colorful engagement. “We’re seeing an increase in color for engagement rings, primarily with colored diamonds. As women get married later (in life) they are more established, they know what they want and they want something different. They may not want to be traditional, so this is where the colored diamond comes in. It’s not only colored center stones; colored side stones serve as a bridge into engagement ring color,” she said.
--Geometrics. “We’re seeing a lot of the open cut-out design and repetition of patterns. The geometric trend also goes back to the Art Deco style, but takes a modern turn on it,” she said.
--Pretty punk. “This is very wearable, very feminine. It’s nothing too crazy or over the top. But looking at skulls, spikes, accents of these motifs are very big for the fall season,” she said.
--Black and white. “This is one of the biggest trends on the runway. Black and white can be all black, it can be all white, but primarily it’s the black and white coming together. Look for blackened
metals and stones being offset with white,” Gizzi said.
--Fashion forward. “The line between fashion and fine jewelry has definitely diminished over the past five to 10 years. Metal prices and customer buying habits have affected consumers’ overall understanding of what jewelry is, so being that source of jewelry for them is important. Finding lower-priced alternatives and making those pieces fashion forward--like cuffs and edgy rings--that will get women into the store for the things they will buy for themselves,” she said.
This is also a macro trend, which means it is comprised of smaller micro trends. Stacking sterling silver rings or bracelets would be an example of a micro trend within the fashion-forward trend, Gizzi said.
When it comes to color, Gizzi named color authority Pantone as the go-to resource to see what hues will be trending each season. Pantone releases a spring and fall color fashion report each year, highlighting the 10 major colors for each season, and also identifies a color of the year.
“Play off this. Consumers are talking about it; everyone uses Pantone for trending colors. Take a look at what these colors are to see what your consumers are going to want this season,” Gizzi said.
She also advised attendees how to become a trend authority.
-- Read style magazines, watch E!. This will make it easy to pick up on trends, like noticing people wearing statement necklaces everywhere, or stacking with bangles.
-- Pay attention to stars and their weddings. What celebrities wear trickles down to what non-celebrities want.
-- Watch awards shows. All the stars gathered in one place makes it easy to spot what’s “in,” both in the sense of style--necklaces, drop earrings, cocktails rings--and metals, such as platinum, yellow gold or white gold.
-- Pay attention to cultural events, exhibits and auctions, such as the Christie’s auction of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection in 2011
-- Be knowledgeable about the price of metals. The drop in the price of gold is bringing the metal back in a big way.
-- Use technology and social media. A good way to find out what’s happening in trends, quickly. Follow Twitter hashtags during awards shows to get engaged in the conversation of what kind of jewelry the stars are accessorizing with.
-- Know what’s on the runway. Jewelry trends follow what is seen on the runway. Many of the trends Gizzi predicted for fall--geometrics, color in bridal, punk looks--were all part of the fashion shows of major clothing designers.
Visiting and keeping up with fashion and jewelry websites, as well as blogs, also are a way to get information as a trend predictor, Gizzi said.
“Trends aren’t always really clear to the customer. If you’re trying to be seen as a trend forecaster or a trend expert, what you want to be able to do is tell that story and explain it to them,” she said.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter PresidentThe announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing DiamondsKenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.
AuctionsApr 15, 2025
23-Carat ‘Golconda Blue’ Heads to AuctionThe historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentLVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 BoardThe organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ CollectionThe collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 YearsMari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding EarringsThese earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
