Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to start planning a lineup of jewelry that complements a warmer-weather wardrobe.
But as trends come and go, it can be a challenge to know whether it’s better to reach for a dainty necklace or a bold cocktail ring.
To help you figure out which jewelry staples are still worth wearing, which ones may need a refresh, and which trends are starting to feel dated, Business Insider spoke with jewelers and stylists about what’s trending this summer.
Here’s what they said.
Beads are coming back in a big way.
Beaded jewelry is making a comeback, but with a more refined twist, Elise Quick, jeweler and cofounder of C&E Fine Jewelry, said.
Instead of simple plastic beads, however, Quick said she’s seeing beaded pieces made with gemstones like raw-cut sapphire, raw-cut emerald, and turquoise.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of people playing with color,” Quick told BI. “These beads can really form a focal point on the outfit.”
Statement jewelry is no longer reserved for special occasions.
According to JesseRay Vasquez, jeweler and founder of the brand Nickho Rey, bold jewelry is no longer reserved for cocktail parties, weddings, or formal events. Now, it’s being seen in more relaxed environments.
Whether it’s oversized rings, diamonds, or layered chains, Vasquez said he’s seeing people pair statement pieces with more casual, everyday outfits, like jeans and a white T-shirt, creating a “street chic” look.
Mixed metals and layered stacks are replacing traditional jewelry norms.
Wearing only gold or silver once felt like the safer choice, but those norms are starting to fade.
According to Kendra Sharpe, stylist and founder of Kendra Sharpe Styling and Creative, more people are now mixing metals, layering different pieces, and creating jewelry looks that feel less polished and a little more natural.
She said alternating between sterling silver and yellow gold on a ring stack is a great way to mix metals and add depth to an outfit.
“It reeks style when you know how to mix your metals,” Sharpe told BI.
Vintage and inherited styles are in.
Not every jewelry trend this season involves buying something new. Instead, jeweler and cofounder of C&E Fine Jewelry, Cierra Podsednik, said she’s been reworking a lot of vintage pieces and family heirlooms.
Podsednik told BI that more of her clients are pulling out older pieces from their jewelry boxes or revisiting jewelry passed down through their families — including lockets, charm necklaces, and chunky pearls.
“It’s like reimagining these pieces for yourself,” Podsednik said.
Cocktail rings are having a moment again.
Cocktail rings — statement styles often set with a large gemstone or bold centerpiece — are making a comeback this summer.
According to Podsednik, today’s versions of cocktail rings still make a statement, but many are being redesigned with smoother settings, lower profiles, and stones that feel easier to wear every day.
“The cocktail rings are coming back around, but it’s not like the ’80s cocktail rings where it’s really, really high set,” Podsednik told BI.
On the other hand, logo-heavy jewelry is being replaced by vintage pieces.
Rather than building a jewelry look around instantly recognizable logos, wardrobe stylist Taylor Greeley told BI that people are leaning into pieces that feel collected over time.
She said more people are opting to mix thrifted finds, older charms, or less recognizable pieces that feel more personal.
Dainty jewelry is giving way to texture and color.
Barely-there chains and very delicate pieces aren’t disappearing entirely, but this season, jewelry is becoming more visible, textured, and expressive.
Instead of ultra-fine pieces that can disappear into an outfit, Greeley said people are leaning toward jewelry made with bolder shapes and mixed materials that add more contrast to a simple look.
“It’s less about being subtle and having jewelry just be a small accent, and really about bringing your personality and being expressive,” Greeley told BI.
Some of her favorite ways to make her jewelry stand out are to wear chunky earrings, bangles, or to layer a large pendant with some pearls.
Generic motifs are being swapped for more personal pieces.
Sharpe said it may be time to put away jewelry with overly familiar symbols and motifs, such as bows and hearts.
Instead of dainty flowers, Sharpe suggests finding heirloom charms or a symbol that resonates with someone’s life.
“Make it more intentional, like your initial or something that actually speaks to you,” Sharpe told BI.
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