Blue & Green Gemstones, Cuffs, Insect-Inspired & Vintage Bridal Jewelry Among 2011′s Jewelry Trends

Posted on Jul 15, 2011 in Gemstones, Trends,

We know it’s shocking that 2011 is half over, but the jewelry trends made popular this spring are expected to continue into next Spring 2012. Here is a round up of GIA’s favorite jewelry style buzz we’ve seen throughout the first half of 2011:

National Jeweler pointed out that runway trends and red carpet looks during award season drove the green and blue jewelry craze, and now the colors are popping up this year’s most popular jewelry pieces: ornate necklaces, cuffs, long chandelier earrings, and decorative, ornate cocktail rings that focus on size and dimension. One of our favorite pieces that National Jeweler shared is this Erica Courtney ring, made of 18-karat gold with diamonds, zultanite and pink sapphires, which retails for $36,000 and follows the 2011 trend of green colors in jewelry. (Also a trend toward jewelry with zultanite, which we’ll post about soon).

According to Adorn London, a company focused on jewelry’s trends and styles, this year’s bridal trends are literally taking a piece from the age-old phrase, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Mixing vintage and modern pieces (something old, something new) is currently the bridal trend du jour. This is being achieved through key accessories such as a brooch, vintage jewelry, teardrop pearl earrings, cascading necklaces and cocktail rings.

And finally, we were charmed by JCK’s recent “It’s a Bug’s Life” article talking about the recent trend of insect-inspired jewelry (think butterflies, spiders, scorpions and beetles). Here are some pieces that stood out to us:

 

MadSpider cocktail ring in 18k gold with diamonds, rubies, citrine, and garnet from MadStone Jewelry.

 

 

Beetle pendant in 18k pink gold with black, burgundy, and blue diamonds from Ileana Makri, an Athens-based jewelry designer.

Would you wear insect-inspired jewelry? Which 2011 jewelry trend is your favorite so far?