Mark Smelzer, JCK’s longtime publisher, and I had the pleasure of leading a short session at this week’s fabulous JIS show in Fort Lauderdale. The topic was fashion jewelry trends likely to pop (or continue their ascension) in the coming year.

Compiled with input from JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky, JCK managing editor Melissa Rose Bernardo, and All That Glitters writer Amy Elliott, here are a handful of styles we’re betting on for 2018.

 

Images, from left: Nektar de Stagni earrings courtesy of the brand; JCK‘s September–October cover; Coco Chanel courtesy of @fashionin2ition

Have pearls ever been cooler? Perhaps not since Coco Chanel wrapped herself in dozens of luminous ropes.

 

Images, from left: A shot from Prada’s spring 2018 runways presentation, courtesy of Prada; Pyrrha necklace courtesy of Pyrrha; Chris Bergman necklace courtesy of Chris Bergman

Prada’s fantastic plastic charm necklaces for Spring 2018 solidified a trend that’s been brewing for some time, but continues to skew more whimsical and playful as it evolves.

 

Images, from left: Marteau Despina cuff, courtesy of Marteau; Marteau Zobeide earrings, courtesy of Marteau; Annie Costello Brown oxidized blue silver earrings, courtesy of Annie Costello Brown

Stripped down, oversized, handmade jewelry that borrows from tribal decorative traditions are especially hot with millennials and Gen Zers.

 

Images, from left: Mandy Moore in Jennifer Meyer jewelry, courtesy @jenmeyerjewelry; Salma Hayek and Kate Bosworth in Irene Neuwirth earrings, courtesy of Irene Neuwirth

It’s become a celebrity staple, with designer Irene Neuwirth leading the pack in variations on the chain-drop style on the red carpet. No surprise why—it’s a look that flatters universally.

 

Images, from left: W editor Giovanni Battaglia in an Amedeo cameo ring; Amedeo bracelet; Amedeo pendant; all images courtesy of Amedeo 

Cameos are decidedly Old World, but this look has become a street style favorite in fashion’s flashiest cities.

 

Images, from left: Foundrae enameled necklaces, courtesy of Foundrae; Jacquie Aiche inlay rings, image: @jacquieaiche

Jewelry incorporating color and illustration, via enamel and inlay, is having a bona fide moment in the style spotlight

 

Images, from left: A runway shot from Roksanda’s Spring 2018 show, courtesy of Roksanda; a look from Single Stone, courtesy of Single Stone; Sarah Paulson in a vintage-inspired Lorraine Schwartz earring at the Emmy Awards this year, courtesy @karlawelchstylist

The romance and femininity inherent to vintage and vintage-inspired jewelry (we’re talking Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian, mainly) represent a pendulum swing from the sleek-and-simple styles that have been dominating in jewelry.

 

Images, from left: Laurel Hill earrings, courtesy of Laurel Hill; Vintage Tiffany earrings, courtesy of Beladora; Miley Cyrus in Chanel bottle earrings, courtesy of Beladora

Post-back button earrings—a look that hasn’t been in vogue in years—are suddenly all the rage with younger jewelry lovers.

 

Images, from left: Robin Wright in Saint Laurent jewelry; Saint Laurent heart brooch; both courtesy of Saint Laurent

The brooch is officially back on the runways and red carpets—and younger consumers love pinning bejeweled brooches (bought at fast-fashion depots) to their jean jackets. A full-blown resurgence feels imminent.

 

Images, from left: Sansoeurs Jewellery earring, courtesy of Sansoeurs; a runway shot from Saint Laurent’s Spring 2018 show, courtesy of Saint Laurent; Pyrrha necklace, courtesy of Pyrrha

Fashion jewelry buyers are gravitating to pieces that reflect a woman’s strength and power—looks with sword, shield, dagger, and royal crest motifs. Could it also be Game of Thrones’ influence on fashion?

(Top: Baroque Australian South Sea pearl strand with sapphire, garnet, and tourmaline by Margot McKinney, as featured on JCK’s September–October cover)

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