The annual Pinterest Predicts report—a forecast of trends based on the platform’s user search data—is out, and if it’s any indication for jewelry in 2024, we’re gonna need more white metal.
Pinterest has a pretty good track record with the report, having forecast this year’s mushrooms trend as well as dopamine dressing from 2022. According to the platform, its predictions have achieved an 80% success rate for four years in a row, thanks to technology that helps Pinterest analyze billions of searches to find patterns. Jewelers and other independent businesses might rely on this data to get a jump-start on what looks to be popular in the year ahead. We wouldn’t by any means suggest putting all your funds into any one prediction, but such information can help you keep a finger on the pulse of what millennial and Gen Z audiences are vibing to—which could have an impact on entire categories of jewelry sales.
Of the 23 trends Pinterest forecast in fashion, beauty, home decor, entertainment, travel, parenting, and other areas, here are some of the most relevant to our industry:
Silver! Pinners are showing interest in that other metal color, which in jewelry would be silver, white gold, or platinum. Gen Z and millennials are leading the drive with searches like “aluminum furniture,” and “nail art metallic,” resulting in bold chrome and cool silver tone finds, says Pinterest. Whether this will be enough to unseat yellow gold as the hottest setting around, we’ll have to wait and see.
Eclectic grandpa. It looks like consumers are still feeling the fashion those in their golden years might don, with searches increasing for “grandpa style” and “eclectic clothing style.” Gen Z and boomers reportedly lead the searches, which certainly has ramifications for jewelry. Think retro-style rings (signets are good here) and colorful pieces (like the bead necklaces currently in demand). In short, if you’re on top of the current jewelry trends with items like these, keep doing what you’re doing—these styles appear to have staying power with a wide range of consumers.
Jellyfish. Yesterday’s mushrooms are today’s jellyfish, apparently, though one could argue the two share similarities in shape and form. Gen Z and millennials have been searching for things like “jellyfish lamp,” and “jellyfish hat,” though one could easily see the creature crossing over into jewelry. A bit of 2022’s dopamine dressing features here, if you envision fine jewelry at its most whimsical. A gem-encrusted jellyfish jewel? Yes, please.
Kitschy kitchens. It might seem a stretch to connect someone’s kitchen to their jewelry, but a rise in searches for vintage appliances and retro pink signals a change in style for many sectors. One can envision the style of Julia Child, with her pearl necklace and monogram pin, working in such a kitchen, whipping up coq au vin. Simple strands of pearls, cameo pins, perhaps even some Bakelite jewelry might be in the pipeline. Bon appétit!
Big! “Beauty and baubles will get bigger, bolder, and puffier in 2024,” reads the Pinterest report. While it’s not quite clear how one measures the puffiness of their jewelry, opulence is predicted to overtake the demure, curated pieces consumers have been collecting. We’ve seen a mixing and matching of these two opposing styles for some time now, but might 2024 be the year we go full statement jewelry again?
Bows. Millennials and Gen Z are going bananas for bows, according to Pinterest’s data, with searches for “bow outfit,” “bow necklace,” and “heels with bows” seeing jumps. We’ve got the bow necklaces covered, and surely the industry will offer plenty of other bow-tiful styles to match.
The tropics. Searches for “pineapple mocktails” and “coconut aesthetic” were on the rise this year, leaving one to wonder if it’s wise to stock up on all the banana leaf and palm tree pendants around. (Or at the very least, a quick mind vacation to a tropical locale seems appropriate, no?)
Inchstones. Parents on Pinterest are looking for ways to celebrate life’s small moments, with increases in terms like “monthly milestone ideas” and “my first tooth party.” What’s always been the perfect way to celebrate a milestone, er, an inchstone? Jewelry.
All that jazz. A new era in jazz is reportedly in the rise, marking a change not only in the music Gen Xers and millennials (the top drivers of this search increase) listen to, but in the way they dress and the places they seek to spend their time (e.g., low-key lounges versus frenzied concerts). Will this have an impact on jewelry? If you can picture the jewels of the jazz eras of the past, you might be on to something.
Read the full Pinterest Predicts report here.
(Image via Pinterest)
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