Spring into 2013’s Jewellery Trends

As the days get lighter and there is the promise of bank holidays galore in the air, our thoughts often turn towards jazzing up our wardrobes ready for spring and summer.  There are some great looks available for spring 2013, and using accessories to bring an outfit to life is an easy way of staying on trend.  Here’s what’s in store from your local independent jeweller this spring:

Fringe benefits

Fringing and folksy jewellery will be big this spring.  Don’t be afraid to wear huge, fringed necklaces with an asymmetrical slant on one side, as these will be big favourites in the spring and summer 2013 collections.  You’ll also see plenty of fringed necklaces with small adornments attached, giving a folk twist to this look.  If you’re worried that this look will be too much, take a look at the smaller fringed, asymmetrical and folk necklaces available in your local jewellery shop.

Pearly queen

If you love pearls, you’ll love this season’s trend for oversized pearl necklaces and bracelets – with some pearls being as big as marbles!  Pearls have been in fashion for many a year now, but this season sees a departure from the long strings of pearls and subtle earrings seen in previous years: think chunky chokers and cuffs.  Oyster isn’t the only colour to wear them in either – soft greys will also be fashionable, so check with your local jeweller about different shades.

Pin-up fashion

Pinning old fashioned brooches onto lapels, bodices and even berets and beanie hats will be big news in spring 2013.  Don’t forget that if you’ve got an heirloom brooch or vintage piece that you’d like either updated or restored for this season, your local jewellery shop is the place to take it; your local independent jeweller will be able to bring an antique piece back to life.

Subtly does it

Delicate drop earrings are making a subtle mark on 2013’s spring jewellery trends.  Small, feminine drop earrings are a great investment, as they can be easily worn for both day and night, yet can often have the impact of much larger dangly earrings despite their understated grace.  Whether you’re after diamonds or a different precious stone, or indeed gold or silver drops, your local independent jeweller will have a wide selection to offer you, and can even custom make pieces to your exact specifications, meaning that a trip to your local jewellery shop will leave you bang on trend for spring 2013.

Soft Pastel Colours for Hot Jewellery Looks

There’s something about pastel shades which brings about a sense of joy, femininity and sweetness.  Pretty pastel colours will always be in fashion, and today’s looks are modern and fresh, without losing their attractive girly feel.  Here are some hot pastel looks from your local independent jeweller to get you ready for the new season:

Cute as a button

Buttons are big business right now and pastels work particularly well with button jewellery.  Folksy jewellery is in this season, and buttons can work well with folk-inspired looks too.  Think button pendants in cute shades of pink, apple green and yellow, strung on a fine white gold chain, or small buttons on drop earrings.  Your local jeweller will be able to custom make jewellery to recreate this look, and you’ll even be able to choose the pastel shade!

Feminine rose gold

Rose gold jewellery is a pastel shade in itself, and makes for some beautiful feminine pieces.  Why not invest in a pretty pink pendent and matching bracelet?  Charm bracelets work particularly well in rose gold, as they can be adorned with small feminine charms, such as roses and butterflies in pearl colours, and rings are also firm favourites of rose gold, particularly when combined with a soft pink stone.  Visit your local jewellery shop for more advice on rose gold jewellery.

Rings of many colours

A great way of making pastel shades work is to wear rings and bracelets of different colours and tones together.  Long strings of beads in different hues worn together are another way of wearing this look.  Keep the tones of the different colours to a similar level; for example, a soft yellow will work well with a baby pink and a sky blue, as all of the colours are muted.  This look is set off using gold jewellery as a base - for example, gold rings with coloured stones, or a large gold pendant with stones of different colours inset inside of it – and your local jewellery shop will have a variety of gold jewellery offset with pastel colours in stock.

Candy colours

The main appeal of pastel shades is the sense of fun that they evoke: try and think about fun candy colours to pull off this look, reminiscent of old fashioned sweet jars and rows of rainbow coloured French macaroons.  Ask your local independent jeweller about cute motifs which can include little ice cream cones on long chains, birds and butterflies dangling from earrings, and even cute cupcake designs on charm bracelets.  Have fun with the look: pastels will be hot property this season, so why not wear pretty jewellery to bring some quirkiness to your look? 

Five Questions you Should ask Yourself When Choosing a Jeweller

Jewellery has an incredible sentimental and monetary value, and it’s important therefore that when buying new jewellery, and entrusting someone with our current jewellery, we pick a jeweller we can trust.  A local independent jeweller is an excellent choice when it comes to choosing a jeweller, and here are five questions you should ask your jeweller to make sure your jewellery is in safe hands:

Do I trust them with my jewellery repairs?

If you have a special piece of jewellery which is in need of some tender loving care, you don’t want to hand it over to just anybody. Before putting a sentimental jewellery piece in for repairs, ask your jeweller about their skills, and how much experience they have.  A local independent jeweller will usually repair jewellery on site, whereas some high street chains send jewellery away to be restored – risking it being lost in transit - so double check where your jewellery will be repaired before handing it over.  If stones or links are missing, check that your chosen jeweller can match the stones and metal type when restoring the piece.

Are they willing to repair my jewellery?

A trick employed by some jewellers is to say that jewellery can’t be repaired – and then proceed to try to sell you a new piece.  Of course, there are times when jewellery is beyond repair, but a good jeweller will always try to find a way of restoring a piece if possible.  A local jeweller will recognise that jewellery, and the memories associated with it, are precious, and will always try to help to bring a special piece back to life.

Is the jeweller knowledgeable?

Do you feel confident in the knowledge that your chosen jeweller is providing?  Can they talk knowledgeably about precious metals and stones?  And about the various settings and properties of different gems?  If you feel comfortable that your jeweller has a wide range of knowledge, you’ll feel comfortable buying from them, and putting jewellery in for repairs with them.  A local jewellery shop will have staff with many years of experience and training, so you’ll feel confident that you’re in safe hands.

Can the jeweller create custom pieces?

If you’re looking for a special, one-off piece, a bespoke piece of jewellery is the way forward – a service which will be offered by your local independent jeweller.  When choosing a jeweller to create a custom piece for you, ask yourself whether the jeweller would be able to create a piece for you from a sketch drawn on the back of a napkin – it may sound silly, but if the answer is yes, you know you’ve found a jeweller you’ll feel comfortable commissioning a bespoke piece with.

Do I like the jeweller?

It may sound obvious, but gut instinct counts for a lot!  One final question to ask yourself is: “Do I like this jeweller?”.  Are they personable, and do you enjoy interacting with them?  If they don’t have what you want, are they willing to go the extra mile to obtain it?  All of these things add up to create a great jeweller: and your friendly, local independent jeweller is the first place you should look for excellent customer service.