By Gretchen Braunschweiger
Alternative metals, gems and finishes continue strong when it comes to jewelry and fashion accessories, especially as the price of precious metals remains high. Bronze, rose gold, titanium, steel and palladium are just some of the newer materials that jewelry designers are using for a fresh new look, and in many cases they are also a more affordable alternative. Designers like Rebecca mix steel with pink gold on bronze, adding bold synthetic gems for a fresh, high fashion look for a fraction of similar precious metal counterparts.
Natural themes abound in jewelry as the eco-chic trend continues across all facets of the fashion industry. Jewelry designers like Elle and John Hardy look to nature for inspiration, whether in the forests, the ocean, river beds, or among real and mythical animals. Each piece in John Hardy’s “Bamboo Collection” also represents a specific number of new bamboo trees planted by the John Hardy company in the South Pacific region to help replenish oxygen into the earth’s atmosphere.
Older style gemstone cuts are having a resurgence as the “vintage” look is updated completely. Companies like Marco Bicego use very old style briolette and rose-cut colored gemstones in modern gold settings, mixing new and old. These cutting styles originated in the 1500s and yet look fresh and unique in today’s jewelry.
The wide bracelet and “openwork” trends often overlap with each other. Companies from Kwiat to Elle are designing bracelets that have openwork styles from a modern “grid” to vintage “lace” patterns. Look at the spring awards shows and you will see a number of large statement bracelets that are wide but often have a “light” feel because of their open design. The great part about this trend is that it can be found in sterling silver, bronze and other affordable materials, or in gold and platinum with diamonds for those who want true luxury.