Trends

Cindy’s TrendTracker: Bar fun

TrendsMar 03, 2016

Cindy’s TrendTracker: Bar fun

Bar none, the simple line necklace--straight across or curved into a “smile”--has leapt to the top of the fashion trends.

112614_Lika_Behar-1-slide-327.jpg
This 24-karat gold and oxidized sterling “smile” necklace, also by Lika Behar, has 0.25 carats of diamonds. It retails for $990.
LikaBehar.com
112614_Pagie_Novick-slide-328.jpg
Phyne by Paige Novick offers this “Sasha” small flat bar necklace in white, rose or yellow 14-karat gold with white diamonds. It retails for $1,200.
PaigeNovick.com
112614_Milka-slide-329.jpg
Kismet by Milka’s “Smile” necklace of little bars in 14-karat gold with black diamonds offers a slight variation on the theme. It retails for $1,280.
KismetByMilka.com
112614_Lika_Behar-2-slide-325.jpg
Lika Behar created this 24-karat gold and oxidized silver bar necklace with 0.23 carats of diamonds. It retails for $880.
LikaBehar.com
112614_Buttercup-slide-326.jpg
Megan Thorne gives the bar a sweet interpretation with her "Buttercup 5" flower bar necklace in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds ($935).
MeganThorne.com
112614_Sorellina-1-slide-330.jpg
Sorellina’s “Otto Doppia” bar necklace boasts 0.29 total carats of diamonds set in blackened silver on an 18-karat yellow gold chain. It retails for $1,500.
SorellinaNewYork.com
112614_Zoe_Chicco-slide-331.jpg
Designer Zoe Chicco has been doing the bar necklace for a decade now, offering choices like this 14-karat white gold curved bar necklace with half black and half white pave diamonds (0.4 carats total weight). It retails for $2,100.
ZoeChicco.com
112614_Mizuki-slide-332.jpg
Mizuki’s 14-karat yellow gold and diamond “smile” necklace offers a delicate turn on the trend. This retails for $2,260.
MizukiJewelry.com
112614_Sethi_Couture-slide-333.jpg
This horizontal baguette diamond bar necklace by Sethi Couture is set in 18-karat rose gold. It retails for $2,675.
SethiCouture.com
112614_Jacquie_Aiche-slide-334.jpg
Jacquie Aiche offers a full smile of bling with diamonds in a 14-karat curved gold necklace. It retails for $3,940.
JacquieAiche.com
112614_Sorellina-2-slide-335.jpg
Sorellina also has this “Victoria Sorriso” necklace featuring 0.78 carats of diamonds set in blackened silver on an 18-karat yellow gold snake “smile.” It retails for $4,500.
SorellinaNewYork.com
112614_Melissa_Kaye-2-slide-336.jpg
Melissa Kaye's blackened gold bar necklaces with white and black diamonds in a horizontal setting retail for $8,800.
MelissaKayeJewelry.com
112614_Melissa_Kaye-1-slide-337.jpg
Melissa Kaye also created these white and black diamond bars in 18-karat blackened gold. They retail for $9,240.
MelissaKayeJewelry.com
View Slideshow

Bar none, the simple line necklace--straight across or curved into a “smile”--has leapt to the top of the fashion trends. And it’s a trend with staying power; some designers have been doing it for years while others just jumped into the fray this year.

For consumers there’s a bar necklace for every taste and style, from posies in a line to bejeweled snakes and every shape in between. They’re simple and luxurious, and easy to give or get for the holiday season. Show them to men who come into the store and don’t know what to get their significant others--tell them to smile and relax, the bar’s got them covered.

Click through this slideshow to see 13 necklaces raising the bar on this trend.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Tiffany & Co. Mother’s Day email opt out
MajorsApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-Out

Some retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.

Dick Abbott
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The Edge

The Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.

The Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’

De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.

Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las Vegas

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

John Wayne Signet Ring
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's Ring

A signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.

Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Stock image of money
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect

Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.

Gregory's Jewelers storefront
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the Torch

The owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.

lvajws image 1.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Doug Hucker
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICA

The colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.

Natural Diamond Council Chief Marketing Officer Susie Dewey
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing

Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.

The Ocean Dream diamond
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’s

The largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.

Smart Age Solutions CEO and National Jeweler columnist Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an Afterthought

Emmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.

Longnecker Jewelry storefront
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 Years

In honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.

Jeff Corey
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board Chair

The trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.

Fourteen August Irene mom ring
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF Says

NRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.

TwentyFour Vault Locket
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual Vault

The “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.

Hamptons Jewelry Show exhibitors Maison Mèrenor, Jochen Leën, Studio Javo
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in July

The open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.

Photos from Day’s Jewelers 2025 Mother’s Day campaign
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s Jewelers

The jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.

National Jeweler - Supplier Bulletin - April 2026 - JMSS Graphic.jpg
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value Goods

Sponsored by Jewelers Mutual

Woman wearing Charles & Colvard lab grown diamond jewelry
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5M

The proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.

John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic pocket watch and a gold pencil case
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1M

The Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.

Adam Neeley Dali Garden Collection Eyris Ring
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s Garden

The “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.

Natalie Feanny
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying Director

Natalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.

Stock image of a gavel and books
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American Jewelry

The pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.

Roberta Flack: Style, Art, & Music Auction Bulgari Collar
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for Auction

Julien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.

Rachel King and The Tudor Heart book cover
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’

Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.

Henry Kessler, Vance Kessler, Alex Kessler, and Daniel Kessler of Sy Kessler Sales Inc.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas

The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy