Jewelry’s fun again! After a couple years of hibernation, who isn’t ready to open up and express themselves? What to look for:
Bold Statement Jewelry. Statement earrings of the past are now on steroids! Bigger and bolder than before, the sky’s the limit. Kate Middleton dazzled recently in oversize florals at the BAFTA awards. Look also for statement necklaces and bold bangles. And layering continues strong. Combine those bold statement pieces with more delicate layers for a nuanced, textured look.

Hi-Lo. Even royalty like Princess Catherine, with access to some of the rarest and most precious jewelry in the world, is branching out and combining designer gowns with “costume” statement earrings. Couture and costume? Actually, this trend is not new. Coco Chanel was well known for combining designer suits with multi strands of long costume pearls. The late Princess Diana also was a trendsetter, browsing High Street for casual pins or earrings to give as gifts or a whimsical accent.

Dopamine Color. Forget minimalism. It’s time to express yourself in exuberant colors that make you feel great! Dallas Prince’s (dallasprincedesigns.com) signature bold but nuanced use of color has garnered her multiple Spectrum Awards and delighted her collectors around the world.

Earth friendly ethical sourcing. Millennials and succeeding generations are increasingly aware of our impact on the environment. Dallas Prince shares, “We have an artistic opportunity as jewelry designers to find ways that repurpose, rebuild and reinvent gemstone jewelry.” Her newest collections include pieces that repurpose gems using composite restructuring.

Mega Trend. Trends are emerging more and more from “the street,” rather than “top down.” Traditionally, Pantone’s Color Institute has dictated what the “color of the year” would be. (This year it’s Viva Magenta). Top designer houses – Chanel, Dior, Valentino – set trends for the upcoming season on the runway shows in Paris or New York’s Fashion Week. Now, more often than not, Vogue is scouring “the street” to see what’s trending. Tik Tok’s viral videos are what’s generating the buzz. So, feel free to toss the “experts” and seek Street Style. Or create it yourself! It’s empowering.