Jewelers say movement, color dazzle this season

Long, flowing necklaces, chandelier earrings and strands of pearls create the desired look of motion.

“Anything that is long and anything that moves, I think you can really bring it down to that,” said Jane McElvaine, co-owner with her husband, Rick, of Maxon’s Diamond Merchants in Brentwood Center. One particular cultural favorite this season is pearls.

“For example, we have a 100-inch strand of freshwater pearls. They are strung so they don’t have a clasp. You can wear them as a belt or wrapped around (your body). You can put them down your back, …you can do anything with them,” McElvaine said.

Pearls are less expensive than some may expect.

“People think they cost five or six thousand dollars and they’re $600,” she said.

Dangling – yet sleek – is the choice for earrings. Shoppers can find dangling chandelier earrings priced from $99 to $5,000, said Amy Hopper, sales associate with Justice Jewelers. This popular style of earring is a carry-over from last season and also from the Oscars, where this style adorned many celebrities. Chandelier earrings have a length that ranges from 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches and often include crystal beads, semi-precious stones or freshwater pearls.

One eye-catching style is called Brillantes, which means diamond in Spanish.

“Brillantes look like a teardrop. It’s a cushion-cut sapphire in the shape of a teardrop. Basically, it’s an earring that actually dangles sapphires,” said Tyler Taliaferro, assistant manager at Iceman Jewelers, 2122 S. Glenstone. At Iceman, chandelier earrings and diamond dangles start around $3,000, depending on what the customer wants, Taliaferro said. “The are so many different styles, it is phenomenal.”

When it comes to color, “anything blue or pink,” is a good choice, said McElvaine. Choice stones include sapphire, blue topaz, pink tourmaline, aquamarine and the very popular pink diamond.

“Jennifer Lopez has a pink (diamond). Basically, what the stars are wearing sets the trend, said Taliaferro. McElvaine said Maxon’s has a half-carat pink diamond for $50,000. However, if you are looking to spend less, consider purchasing a pink sapphire with a similar brilliance. “Those pink sapphires just pop,” McElvaine said.

A wide range of radiant colors can be found in the International Fine Jewelry Collection of colored stones designed by Bellarri. Bellarri provides radiance for a wide budget, as prices range from $300 to $10,000. “They are a really fantastic color,” said McElvaine. (Bellarri) makes outrageous styles and fantastic prices for what you are getting.”

If shoppers are searching for a colorful time saver, a Tag Heuer Formula 1 can bring color to a man’s wrist for around $500 to $600. The Tag Heuer Co., which was founded in 1860 by Edward Heuer in Switzerland, features watches with colored dials in red, orange, blue, white and black.

The surge in religious fashion has carried over to jewelry. And while crosses are always a top pick, they are even more popular this season, said Pat Wand, owner of Wand’s Jewelry, which recently relocated to Battlefield Marketplace at 900 E. Battlefield.

“Crosses are really big this season,” especially for guys, Wand said. “We have more interest in crosses for guys than for women.” When it comes to the type of cross, styles vary, but white gold is a better pick than yellow gold.

“What happens is that the younger kids are wearing sterling silver so when they are getting married or looking for gifts they are wanting white gold,” Wand said. White gold weddings bands for the right hand and engraved school rings also are popular among younger shoppers.

No matter the trend, one thing remains consistent in jewelry sales: diamonds.

“They are timeless and you can pass them on generation to generation,” McElvaine said. Hoop earrings make for a simple but confident choice, Wand said. But whether shoppers are seeking dangling gems, colorful additions or classic diamonds, now is the time to start looking.

“If you shop now and put something (on) lay-a-way, you are getting the pick of the litter. If you wait (until Christmas Eve), we’ve already cleaned out 20 (percent to) 25 percent of the inventory,” Wand said.

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