Like The Jeffersons of 1970s television fame, sterling silver jewelry has moved up to the big leagues and “finally got a piece of the pie.” Once reserved for costume and bridge lines, sterling has a whole new cachet—the category has moved beyond its former status and now fills showcases even in high-end jewelry stores.

The thanks go to jewelry designers who understand the allure women find in discovering a designer brand or personal style that makes them feel stylish, yet is economically accessible. What started as the pioneering instincts of designers like David Yurman, John Hardy, and Steven Lagos has become an important global trend. No longer just a bridge into fine jewelry, sterling silver has become a destination for many women, and designers are responding by creating more high-quality jewelry in sterling silver.