In the last few seasons, jewellery has made a welcome return
after those dull minimal days of nothing, but tiny diamond ear studs which
do exude quality, but can be a bit boring day after day. If you are
like me I still find them great and keep a pair in my bag for those days
when I find somehow I forgot to add my earrings. Nothing looks worse
than pierced 'bare' holes in the lobe. Wearing earrings is a finishing
touch for everyone and if you do forget yours it's a great excuse to buy a
new pair!
After a summer of vibrant ethnic inspired jewellery, Dior in particular
showed massive ornate jewellery and extensive long chandelier earrings for
Fall 2005/6. Exotic colours in jewels are perfect for massive dress
rings almost like men’s signet rings. Morganite, amethyst, tsarvorites
and aquamarine sometimes mixed together with diamonds all feature in
jewellery by Dior.
Some jewellery that is popular right now is Talismanic
jewellery especially products thought to have healing or sentimental properties.
Semi precious stones like quartz, blue lace agate and citrine are deemed to
offer therapeutical properties.
Cameos and hearts on chunky chains will appeal to lovebirds
as tokens of affection.
Jewellery has texture - carved flowers are everywhere.
An example is shown with the Pearlsplus
pendants below. Carving is on cabochon set rings and earrings especially.
Natural jewellery and this carved necklace images
are courtesy of
Treasurebox.co.uk
Even chunkier necklaces with
stones 5cm or more across are no longer unusual. Below are two
examples of ethnic styles jewellery from
treasurebox.co.uk.
The example on the left is a wonderful example of a Palawan necklace.
Rows of shaped wood, blacklip, citrine, African turquoise and many more
semi-precious stones make this fantastic necklace with a very large mother
of pearl leaf pendant. This is from the designer Nature.
The necklace to the right is the Bora Bora Plastron Necklace
and is of multi-coloured lumbang seeds strung together with pendants of
blacklip, mother of pearl, wood and beads.
In keeping with the natural materials popular with ethnic
and Boho styling, Mother of Pearl pendants are also fashionable. Here
in this image from
Pearlsplus in UK natural freshwater pearls are embedded in the natural shell and the pendant
is carved from the shell to incorporate the pearl. The contrast of
texture creates an interesting and natural effect, perfect for casual wear
and ethnic styling if you feel traditional pearls are too formal for you.
Note the Chinoiserie carved mother of pearl pendant and the
jade carved pieces in the second image. Chinese and Japanese imagery
and traditional oriental gem materials like green and lavender jade with
carving will be popular next year as designers lean toward the orient for
fashion inspiration.
Pearlsplus in UK does great affordable
freshwater pearls and pendants.
As stated previously in the Accessories page,
hair ornaments are big fashion news this year and next year.
This
Pearlsplus freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal bridal barrette below is a beautiful way to dress wedding or special prom, or
evening occasion and Christmas hair styles.
The fashion for wearing 2 or 3 necklaces together wrapped and
twisted together continues. For example a strand of Biwa stick pearls wrapped with
round freshwater pearls and seed pearls then interspersed with rough, carved
natural chip or fine
cut crystals or semi precious stones all set against different shaped pearls
such as flat square quad pearls or flat coin pearls.
If you can't run to authentic diamonds take a look at some
of the lovely affordable pendants like these on offer at
www.erjewellery.co.uk which sells well designed cubic zirconia
or crystal pendants. These two below have a touch of the Nicole Kidman Chanel No.5 ad about
them.
As always
new fashion colours mean consumers seek matching
gem jewellery. Garnets are back in fashion and will look rich and elegant set
against the deep ruby colours of reds through burgundy wine this autumn
2005/6.
Garnets come in a wide range of reds and will match ruby colours and are not so expensive as rubies. They
also have that rich winter feel and of course are the birthstones of January
Capricorns. These pretty earrings below from Treasurebox come in at around
£10 yet capture exactly the autumn colours you can see in my
mood
boards here.
Amethyst,
Garnet & Ruby Coloured Stones in Fashion
You can also see how Pearlsplus uses
velvet ribbons in the same deep wine tones for attractive choker
necklaces. This will instantly bring this season's velvet
into your wardrobe with little effort whatever your size.
Other trends in jewellery include the return of the pendant
and in particular the briolette cut pear drop. This is sometimes
called a teardrop and is frequently the cut shape of choice for chandelier
style drop
earrings too.
Armani has great examples of briolette cut
earrings.
Briolette cuts have been in use since the Romans and are
currently featured in all the latest magazines such as Vogue. These
cuts were also popular before and after the French Revolution era.
Their attraction is that they twinkle and glimmer with intense colour in the round. Because they taper to a fuller bottom the weight makes them
hang very well especially in drop earrings. Usually the teardrop stone
is drilled at the top. Without the distraction of a precious metal
casing, maximum light passes through the stones making them show lovely even
colour, rather than sparkle from one direction only as gained from a
brilliant cut stone.
The briolette cut is used for not only important coloured
gems like pink and yellow diamonds or sapphires, but also aquamarine,
amethyst and citrine. Briolette cuts were used in the Victorian and
Edwardian Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras. Today lovely examples of this
stone are often found in antique and precious estate style jewellery.
Briolette cut Swarovski crystal is more affordable than
precious gems and is often used to create lovely occasional use fashion
jewellery chokers in the Edwardian or Victorian style.
Butler and Wilson are masters at recreating costume
jewellery retro pieces with or without teardrop effects. The choker
shown below has smooth oval opal moonstone effect cabochon style jewellery
combined with crystal. This would look stunning with a rich burgundy
aubergine toned velvet outfit for that special winter event.
Victorian/Edwardian Style Choker
Many
Butler and Wilson styles like this pink crystal choker can be
had at
treasurebox.co.uk .
Look out then for high choker necklaces and also ornate Victorian and Edwardian styled lavaliere pendants.
The ethnic theme remains strong in fashion and next year
expect to see more eastern and oriental influence in prints and styling.
It's clear that some designers are taking their cue from the
ornate and intricate work found in Bollywood style jewellery. These
examples are part of a collection of handcrafted Lac jewellery from
India by Venkatramana Jewels of Jaipur.
Venkatramana
Jewels of Jaipur India.
This image is courtesy of Pradeep Kapur at Venkatramana
Jewels of Jaipur India.
Fashion-Era.com looks at women's costume and fashion history and analyses the mood of an era. Changes in technology, leisure, work, cultural and moral values. Homelife and politics also
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