Expect many preview articles this time of year, especially on the fashion scene. It’s the perfect time to reflect on the year past and start looking ahead to 2022.
No shoes, fabrics, or fashion shows right now - today, it’s all about jewelry!
Let’s see what industry leaders are saying about jewelry trends in 2022 and what to expect once the new year rolls around.
The Return of Timeless Style
Will 2022 be a showcase of wild, eccentric styles in the jewelry department?
That may be the norm during fashion week in Milan or Manhattan, but on the main streets of the USA cities and other hubs, timeless style reigns supreme.
“Trends come and go, and style evolves,” says English Model and Singer Karen Elson. “It's important to have pieces of jewelry that are timeless and look chic despite ever-changing fashions.”
This applies to everything from necklaces and bracelets to rings, watches, and piercings. After many years of pushing the envelope with out-of-the-box style, the classics are back on the menu.
The watch market is always a good place to track shifts in the jewelry world to see what customers and designers are thinking for the year ahead.
That’s where Craig Carter, President and CEO of Jack Mason, weighs in on his predictions for 2022.
“Timeless designs are a core component of our brand, and we’re seeing demand for these looks like never before,” said Carter. “There will always be an aspect of jewelry and watch-making that sticks to the roots and the fundamentals of what looks good. We’re happy to be in that zone where trends don’t impact our choices too heavily. We know what we like, and so do our customers.”
Blending Statements and Subtlety
We can learn a lot about jewelry trends from watches, but let’s not forget favorites like diamond-studded chains, bracelets, and designer goods meant for the spotlight.
Will 2022 be a year of go-big-or-go-home jewelry, or should we prepare for smaller, more refined accessories to make a statement?
As is the case most years, expect a mix of both big and small.
“We are known for creating some show-stopping pieces, but we highlight subtle items as well to balance things out,” said Jordan Duran, Founder and Designer of 6 Ice.
What matters most is proportions and distinct design elements, which don’t necessarily need a lot of bling to look good.
“It seems like jewelry fans are looking for more originality and unique designs, rather than only aiming for the max number of diamonds that can fit on a pendant or bracelet,” continued Duran. “There’s a greater appreciation for craftsmanship and how the piece looks when paired with clothes and other items.”
Haim Medine, Creative Director at Mark Henry, is keen on finding unique materials and highlighting the meaning behind them.
“We market our goods as ‘naturally phenomenal’, and that’s exactly what we deliver to customers who want to break out of the mass-produced jewelry cycle,” said Medine. “This is a trend happening across the jewelry market, in addition to industries like food, fashion, and all things wellness. People exist in a virtual world and crave what’s natural. We’re in a great position to provide that with original pieces inspired by the natural world.”
Jewelry Meets Culture and Media
One thing is certain in the jewelry and fashion world in 2022 – no single trend exists independently of another, especially as multimedia formats take over the web.
“Thanks to social media, we see how jewelry, streetwear, and other art forms like music all combine into one overarching movement or aesthetic,” said Designer and Owner Daniel Patrick. “It’s not enough to say that there’s a single type of jewelry or shoe that’s trending. Everything is connected and there are so many ways to represent that in photos and film.”
Few brands do storytelling better than those in the jewelry game, and according to Yuvi Alpert, Founder and CEO of Noémie, that is a specialty they’ve been focusing on for years.
“People want a story behind the items they wear, because that’s how sentimental value is created,” explains Alpert. “As we know, you can’t put a price on that. With Noémie, we emphasize the stories of the designs and where they come from. We are also hugely invested in personalization and everything that goes with that, including service and support. It all comes together to create an unforgettable experience that stands out in a crowded jewelry market.”
Looking Beyond Jewelry Trends
With jewelry growing in popularity for young people, men, and other groups that typically have been overlooked in the past, the future is very bright.
In general, interest in jewelry is on the rise, which means an influx of new creative possibilities is likely to come to the forefront.
CRAFTD, a jewelry company catering to men with a streetwear twist, is ready to step up as a leading influencer in a fast-growing online space.
“It’s incredible to watch guys go from zero to 100 with jewelry and get more comfortable taking risks,” said Dan Potter, Managing Director and CEO of CRAFTD. “We’ll look back on this era and the year 2022 as a time when men’s jewelry went mainstream in a big way. That’s an awesome thing and everyone is excited to be part of the movement.”
This goes to show that jewelry is truly for everyone, which plays into the broader emphasis on inclusivity in a traditionally exclusionary industry.
“I believe the jewelry industry can play a leadership role in helping move toward more inclusive, fairer, more equitable solutions to the challenges that the world faces,” said Diamonds Do Good Co-Founder Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr. “So it’s all about looking in the mirror, and companies and businesses looking at what we can do to help bring about a more just world, a fairer world, and a more equitable world.”
Is there one definitive trend that we can expect from the jewelry scene in 2022?
Maybe not, but based on all these signals, things are looking good for the industry and business leaders blazing new trails.
