Trends and Treasures

A very beautiful white jade and antique Chinese enamel necklace.

http://forgottenluxury.com/products/white-jade-enamel-bead-necklace

Yesterday I went to the International Gem and Jewelry Show looking for bargains, things to wish for, and to spot upcoming trends. From my years of going to gem and jewelry shows, I have found that items being promoted at the show usually become the trend within the next three to six months.  This show featured a lot of fabulous large rings, much more ornate that I have seen in years. There were amazing mogul style creations of multiple gemstones or single stones surrounded by stones of an alternate color. Most were made of silver, or an alloy of gold and silver which I was told was a technique used by ancient Egyptian jewelry makers.

Another trend was enamel jewelry. I have been a big fan of enamel jewelry for a long time, being drawn to the exquisite enamel work of antique Chinese jewelry. The current enameled jewelry does not have the same delicacy of the antique pieces but it is still very attractive. I was able to snap up a few fabulous antique enamel beads.

At this show there was no particular trend toward one featured gemstone. At a past show I purchased a gemstone that was just being introduced at $1.00 per carat. I bought a one hundred carat stone. Two shows later that same stone had increased to become over $100 per carat, because of its size. Only small gemstones were left available. The one hundred carat stone made a fabulous pendant. Taking a chance on a newly introduced gemstone can be a gamble, but it can be a gamble that definitely pays off - and if you love it  you will always have a winner.

Outrageously large baroque pearls were everywhere at prices from moderate to very high. One can only cringe at what the mollusk must go through to produce such huge pearls.

Because gold prices are still very high, the trend toward using silver, silver alloy and gold plated bronze metals is likely to continue - and don’t be surprised if you see a lot of enamel and a continuation of large size jewelry for this year’s holiday season.