Bold jewelry is in fashion now

After several seasons of dangling delicate charms and chains from necks and wrists, women are making stronger statements through their jewelry, donning dramatic pieces that stand on their own.

For the longest time, "everything was so minimalist, it seemed almost vulgar to have stones," says Alison Burwell, jewelry news editor for W magazine. But the wispy layers of late "have given women the confidence to try bolder looks." Witness the red carpets recently: At this year's Oscars, stars such as Nicole Kidman strutted earring-free but with double bracelets, Wonder Woman-style.

Los Angeles-based jeweler Cathy Waterman, whose designs have graced Gwyneth Paltrow and Charlize Theron, has been adding attention-commanding cuffs, 3 and 4 inches wide, to her collection. "What you adorn yourself with is an expression of yourself," says Waterman, who finds that many of her clients are buying baubles for their own jewelry boxes. "And it's such a great sign that women are wanting pieces larger and more powerful, because it can only mean that we're feeling better about ourselves."

Also aiding the chunky choker trend: fashion's flirtation with "big, open spaces" across the chest, says Kim Renk, co-owner of New York-based costume jeweler Sequin. Think V-necks, scoop necks and cowl necks.

Considering their per piece impact, less is more for this trend, Burwell cautions: "You don't want to have so many statements that they start conflicting."

Source : http://news.gem-fashion.com/12/