The annual 12 Jewelry Trends for 2014 list aims to serve as a guideline for store purchases in the new year, highlighting pieces and materials trending now, based on the clothing, color, red carpet, and real-life influences at work in the market. Abalone is the first trend on the list, and here’s why it’s relevant to jewelers now.
Abalone is an edible sea snail with a mesmerizing blue-green interior shell that can be used in fine jewelry. Since the color blue continues to be a big hit in both fashion and jewelry, abalone (or paua, as it’s called in some other parts of the world) shell fits the current color trend. And while this shell or mother-of-pearl material is oftentimes inexpensive—and has been fashioned into numerous entry-level-priced silver numbers in the past—some more recent, super-high-end and diamond-encrusted styles have appeared, making the material a candidate for newfound appreciation in the luxury market. See one-of-a-kind abalone earrings from Arunashi at Ylang23.com in Dallas and Judith Ann Jewels in Houston; an abalone link necklace that debuted at Baselworld 2013 and is for sale at Marissa Collections in Naples, Fla.; a tony brooch made to order by Lotus Arts de Vivre at Betteridge in Greenwich, Conn.; and an older number from one-off specialist Nicholas Varney. (Arunashi doesn’t share images of new pieces with the press for fear of design copycats, so that’s why links to items for sale in stores are provided for reference.) Below are other abalone styles available now and, hopefully, more are en route.
Deily earrings in 14k gold-plated brass with abalone, $75; Kendra Scott
Necklace in silver with abalone shell, $93; Boma
Bangle in 18k gold-plated brass with paua (abalone) shell, $118; Isharya
Juliette chandelier earrings in sterling silver with white quartz over abalone, $870; Elizabeth Showers
Ring in 18k gold with oxidized silver and 6.64 ct. blue topaz doublet, 0.47 ct. t.w. abalone shell, and 0.44 ct. t.w. blue sapphires, $3,845; Armenta Collection
Double Teardrop bracelet in 14k rose gold with abalone and 0.3 ct. t.w. diamonds, $4,300; Jacquie Aiche
The Style 360 blog is your editorial source for the newest jewelry, trends, market analysis, trade show insights, designer profiles, and more.
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