Jewelry designers have long been enchanted by the sea. It’s a subject rich in beauty, myth, and romance – all classic elements of fine jewelry.

Wondering where to start in creating your jewelry wardrobe? GIA put together this list of 11 Peices of Jewelry Every Women Should Own. Jewelry essentials to ensure that you have the perfect accessory for any event. Click on the image below to see a larger view. Bookmark and share!

Once destined for industrial use, low-quality rough diamonds were thought to have too many impurities or inclusions to be used in high-end rings, bracelets, and necklaces.  But today, these diamonds are making their way into luxury jewelry. So why the sudden interest?

After years of hiding in the watery depths, mermaids, mythical half-human sea creatures, are surfacing everywhere – in a provocative photo shoot in the December 2013 issue of W ; on countless Starbucks’ cups (the mermaid is their corporate logo); in television shows like Mermaids and H20: Just Add Water; Pinterest, Etsy, and on bridesmaid accessories and wedding dresses.

Sleek. Simple. Sophisticated.

It’s Zen Style – jewelry that has clean lines and uncomplicated shapes. There’s little in the way of ornamentation and embellishment. Its beauty comes from artful construction and the pairing of contrasting shapes and colors.