It’s the annual look back at some of my favorite trends from the year that—as always—went by in a flash. My yearly caveat (we all know this): Jewelry doesn’t have trends in the sense that, say, TikTok has trends, You won’t find flash-in-a-pan fads here, and, in fact, we might be writing about the same things as we did in 2023. This is a good thing; fine jewelry is a splurge for many consumers, and we want them to enjoy it forever and ever, as well-made jewelry is meant to be enjoyed. If it happens to tick a few zeitgeisty boxes, all the better. After all, trends are fun, and following the latest (or most classic) looks shoppers are enjoying is a thrill. Thank you for following along on another year of doing just that! Here are some of my favorite jewelry trends from 2024.
Mixed-Metal Jewelry
Sterling silver, white gold, and platinum made a splash in the new year, a stark contrast to the bold gold we’ve been enjoying for what feels like the past decade. But consumers aren’t letting go of their yellow gold so easily—and neither am I—and that’s where mixed metals come in. There were so many good two-tone, and even tricolor, jewels on the market this year.
Red
We might be heading into the a new year asking “What can brown do for you?” But the beginning of 2024 felt like it was all about red. The color was everywhere during awards season, and it moved through the year nicely, even if it petered out a bit as the summer came on. After all the green and blue we (readily) devour, it felt good to break it up with a fiery hue.
Long, Lariat-Style Necklaces
If an award was given for sultriest piece of jewelry, it wouldn’t be a body chain or a belly-button ring—it would be a lariat. Worn in a variety of lengths (for those styles that are truly adjustable, anyway), a lariat can trail down a low-cut blouse, layer over a cozy sweater, or mix in with other necklaces. Lariats should also be considered for the award for coolest piece of jewelry, come to think of it, and perhaps most versatile, too—I just really love a lariat.
Cowgirl Couture
To be clear: I strongly dislike the country-western trend. If cowboy boots aren’t already in your repertoire, it feels really weird to be forcing them just because they happen to be on trend. I do, however, love horses (I used to ride and grew up near Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), and I love me some turquoise—two huge jewelry elements of the cowgirl trend. So, to recap: Cowboy boots and hats can go anywhere but here; horses and gorgeous blue gems can stay.
Wavy Jewelry
Before and even more so during and after Vegas Jewelry Week, jewelry designed with artful curves and straight up waves began crashing faster and louder to the market. I love the free-spirited vibe of these pieces, like they’re throwing up their arms and yelling “Woo!” May the wave continue.
Everything ’90s
I’m biased, having grown up in the ’90s—the time of really inappropriate kids’ television shows, puke-green slime, and cereals I’d never feed my kids (though I turned out sort-of OK). But I was still young during that decade, and never really got to enjoy all of the clothing and jewelry trends the young adults did—but my mood ring collection, though its origins were in the 1970s, was off the chain. So I’m hungrily gobbling up ’90s nostalgia, much like I did the Dunkaroos and Cookie Crisps of yore. Graduated hoop earrings, chokers, nameplate necklaces, body jewelry—I’ll take it all. For those living in this decade with me, a recent trip to Paris tells me the ’90s aesthetic isn’t going anywhere in 2025.
Brat Green
It’s a summer trend that ended almost as soon as it began, but this particular shade of toxic green will live on forever. Inspired by Charli XCX’s Brat album cover, this was unapologetic, totally blazing, and just pure fun. In the jewelry world, peridot was positively perfect for it, and that’s a love that’ll last forever. And speaking of unapologetic, who’s going dull in 2025?
Top: Ring in 18k yellow gold with 1.635 ct. peridot, $3,200; Lorraine West for the Jewelry Edit x Fuli Peridot
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