I’m sure many of you are already aware that this year, two colours are being widely accepted as representing the ‘colours of 2016’. It is the balance created by both colours combined that is the focus of the tone and mood for the year, rather than one simply held in isolation. Fortunately for the jewellery industry, it just so happens that one of those colours is rose quartz which brings forth a wealth of sales opportunities!

Rose quartz is one of those universally popular stones due to its gentle baby pink hue, which always attracts a hardcore group of admirers irrespective of changing trends. It is quite brittle in its composition and tends to be carved, made into beads or cut en cabochon because of its cloudy and often cracked appearance. The good news is that rose quartz is a relatively inexpensive stone to buy, making it an ideal purchase in January when spare pennies can be hard to find.

If you wanted to go the whole hog and theme a range around both rose quartz (baby pink) and the baby blue colour which is also set to be on trend this year, then to my mind the ideal partner would be blue lace agate which is the perfect match in tone and on a par with price.

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Rose Quartz and Blue Lace Agate

A new collaboration which looks set to make its mark this year is that of Stephen Webster and Tracy Emin, who has produced a range of subtle script based pieces written in her signature style. In an adaptation of her infamous neon ‘I promise to Love you’ signs, Emin has re-produced phrases such as ‘Love’, ‘More Passion’ and ‘With you I breath’ in a range of plain and diamond set pieces, which are due to go on sale imminently. Emin is fascinated by the idea of jewellery being worn as a second skin rather than simply an object in its own right, and apparently took much of her inspiration from tattoos where script is often central to the design. Initials and script are most definitely an area to watch this year if you want to stay on trend.

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Mismatched gold and diamond set studs – Tracy Emin and Stephen Webster

The intimacy and personalisation of fine jewellery is also tipped to be central to the themes of 2016, as consumers and designers return to the very roots of jewellery and all it represents. This year it will be less about the ‘statement’ and more about the ‘sentiment’, as in our uncertain political and cultural climate we cling on to those we hold nearest and dearest. The prospect of war will always bring about need for prioritising and reflection, and this will manifest itself in all that we do. Jewellery is no exception to this.

We saw many fashion houses paring back design last year, retaining simple and elegant lines both plain and diamond set and this looks set to continue in 2016. Layering works particularly well with these simpler designs can change a look from classic to casual very easily. Until recently, layering has been the territory of costume jewellery but now we see fine jewellers employing this technique very successfully in bracelets, rings and necklaces. The layering of fine jewellery will instantly update any outfit, but if done correctly will still appear elegant and not brash.

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‘Infinity’ bracelets from Tiffany in 18k and diamonds

Finally a word on earrings, which was one of the biggest jewellery stories of 2015. Happily, the trend for mis-matched earrings is to remain a little longer, with many designers focusing their attention on studs to be worn in multiples. It would also appear that large hoops are once again in fashion albeit in a subtle, more understated way than you might imagine, with both Tiffany and Louis Vuitton including hoops in their latest collections. Forget the gypsy inspired hoops of the past, this season it is all about unassuming elegance!

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Louis Vuitton mismatched hoops

Do you feel inspired to take these trends on board in your own jewellery making this year? Why not start things off by using a rose or serenity blue coloured gemstone in your next design.

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Author: Cooksongold
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Cooksongold