At this year’s Couture Jewelry Show in Las Vegas, the designs were teeming with originality and innovation. There were fresh takes on classics (think: semiprecious hard stones like lapis), and tried-and-true materials took on new life (chains, beads, and more). Of the hundreds of thousands of pieces on display during the four-day-long event, here are the 10 trends that really stood out. See (and shop) them all here.
Chain Reaction
Chains are a staple in every jewelry box. But this year, they became the main event as designers put their creativity to the test—delivering links in assorted scales, lengths, and motifs that made a statement in their own right.
Ride the Wave
These playful, sculptural patterns will add an artful touch to any jewelry collection.
Lapis Lover
Semiprecious hard stones are always a standby. And while all colors of the spectrum got their moment this year, the bright, blue-hued stone was definitely the most popular.
Innovation Station
At the closing of each Couture show, awards are given out for several categories, and the Innovation Award inspires some of the most whimsical designs at the event. This year, Sorrelina took home the honors for its 18-karat gold and rock crystal cassette pendant featuring diamonds encased in white sapphires and accented with a pencil-shaped charm, with which you can “rewind” or “fast-forward” the cassette. It was just one of many spectacular pieces on display.
Ancient Art
Jewelry-as-art stretches back millennia, and today’s designers continually find inspiration in ancient techniques and patterns. These motifs bring an element of elegance to every jewelry collection.
Turn Up the Torque
The clean, tubular collar is a very modern and minimal way to dress up any outfit. This year, the pared-back style was ever-present in different thicknesses and finishes, both with and without stones.
Under the Sea
The start of summer is upon us, and it’s impossible not to want to run to the beach with these odes to maritime motifs.
Bead Dream
Beck Jewels designer Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz refers to her tiger’s eye beads as a weighted blanket, adding that they magically manage to take away all anxiety when she wears them. As soon as any of these designs are on your neck, you can’t help but fidget with them in the best possible way.
Pearls Pearls Pearls
Perhaps the most classic and conservative material used in jewelry was ever-present, but its cool factor has never been higher. From carved strands at Sylva & Cie Jewelry to the tiny gold accents applied to Bibi van der Velden’s jellyfish, there was no shortage of newness.
Bold Scale
It’s time to size up. Everything from the cuffs at Roberto Coin to Valérie Messika’s multi-chain Move necklace proves that sometimes bigger is just better.