What is often perceived as “new” jewelry is not actually new! Iconic jewelry trends never go out of style. They are timeless jewelry pieces. Timeless jewelry is characterized by the quality, design, and material of the piece.
Pieces of jewelry are not just beautiful accessories. They are also fine pieces that have stories behind them – from their conceptualization to the knowledge and skills required to craft each piece.
Jewelry, per se, never goes out of fashion. From a statement pair of gold earrings to a timeless strand of pearls, high-quality jewelry pieces will always add the perfect amount of sparkle and elegance to your outfit.
Jewelry designs have significantly evolved during the past century. The evolution of jewelry trends is influenced by fashion experts as well as the social and economic nature of the time.
It is, therefore safe to say that history plays a large part in jewelry trends through the decades.
Jewelry trends come and go, but some iconic pieces stand out and endure the test of time.
Several factors are at play to make a piece of jewelry iconic. Iconic pieces are a combination of elements including the design, the designer, the material, the patron, the period, and the culture.
Most Iconic Jewelry Designs
Jewelry does more than just adorn its wearer. The jewelry you wear tells a story you cannot communicate with words. Your jewelry also reveals your personality and distinguishes you from the crowd.
Many of these pieces of jewelry have a long and significant history. They continue to influence present-day jewelry designs because of their powerful themes.
There are classic pieces of jewelry that are loved and known because of their timeless quality. These pieces rise above new trends and find ways to evolve into designs that fit into the contemporary era.
The most iconic jewelry pieces can go from understated to elegant, to bold designs.
Here are some of the most iconic pieces of jewelry that will never go out of style. While you can wear any of these pieces of jewelry every day, they are guaranteed to make jewelry aficionados turn their heads.
1. Cartier Love Bracelet
This piece of jewelry was originally designed in 1969 by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier SA. Early versions of the Love Bracelet were gold-plated. The more recent designs are created from platinum to solid gold.
The Love Bracelet comes with a screwdriver. This tool is used to securely lock the bracelet’s two c-shaped halves onto the wearer’s wrist. The concept of this bracelet is for your partner to fasten it to your wrist to symbolize your commitment to each other.
This piece of jewelry is a historically iconic symbol of the locking in of love or inseparable love.
The famous Cartier Love Bracelet has become a must-have piece of jewelry among millennials, who wish to invest in good-quality jewelry with captivating symbolism.
The Cartier Love Bracelet is not only coveted for its symbolism and design but more for its worldwide reputation.
2. Tiffany & Co Heart Tag Charm Bracelet
Tiffany & Co is known for its sterling silver and diamond pieces which have become icons through the years. The Return to Tiffany collection is one of the most popular collections of the brand.
The dandling motif with the “Please Return to Tiffany & Co. New York” inscription was inspired by a key ring released in 1969. The Return to Tiffany collection has become a dominant symbol of the brand’s legacy.
The charm bracelet is one of the iconic pieces from the collection. It is available in 18-karat gold, stainless silver, sterling silver, and more.
3. Bulgari Serpenti Watch
Bulgari or its stylized version, Bvlgari, is an Italian luxury house established in 1884. It was not until the 1940s, though, that it became known with the launching of its iconic Sepenti Watch.
The Bulgari Serpenti Watch is both a timepiece and a stylish accessory. The twisted yellow gold strap in the Tubogas goldsmith technique was an innovative design. The watch’s bracelet is made from long bands of steel or gold horizontally wrapped around a flexible, long steel tube.
The modern Serpenti collection includes eyewear and bracelets.
4. Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace
One of the most relevant fine jewelry houses in the world was established in 1906 after the marriage of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels. Cleef and one of the Arples brothers were responsible for crafting tasteful and fine pieces of jewelry.
Van Cleef & Arpels boasts many iconic pieces of jewelry but the Alhambra collection that comes with the iconic four-leaf clover theme is the most symbolic.
The Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace was launched in 1968 as a yellow- gold necklace. The Alhambra collection now comes with more variants with each piece remaining as a symbol of good luck.
5. Chanel Double C Decal Earrings
The Double C Decal earring is the most iconic pair of earrings of Chanel. The double D emblem earrings set with diamonds remain a timeless pair of earrings. Over the years, the double-C emblem earrings have been crafted in different colors, materials, sizes, textures, and so on.
6. Winston Cluster Necklace
The pieces of jewelry of the House of Harry Winston have been worn by many famous faces with their timeless elegance for decades.
Harry Winston set up shop in 1932 in its New York boutique. Since then the brand has been crafting spectacular pieces of jewelry inspired by his philosophy of allowing the gemstones to dictate the jewelry’s design.
Among the brand’s iconic designs is the Winston Cluster necklace set in platinum and embedded with 195 pear-shaped and marquise diamonds.
7. Tiffany & Co. Open Heart Pendant
Tiffany & Co.’s Open Heart Pendant is one of the most iconic designs of Elsa Peretti who joined the company in 1974. She has created many of Tiffany & Co.’s most iconic jewelry designs.
Elsa Peretti is known for her unique silhouettes. Her Open Heart Collection which consists of stylish heart designs in delicate chains has remained a best-seller since its launch. Peretti’s designs for Tiffany have become synonymous with luxury, minimalism, and love.
8. Chanel Pearl Necklace
Coco Chanel always wore a pearl necklace. She was known to mix jewelry made from fake materials with those made from real materials.
Chanel made wearing cheap jewelry fashionable. The iconic Chanel Pearl necklace made wearing fake pearls chic.
Final Thoughts
These iconic jewelry trends are part of the world’s story. Each of the jewelry trends through the decade has a story to tell and it just so happened that some pieces of jewelry have made more of a lasting impact making them iconic pieces.