Jewelry Trends Around The World

In the land of pyramids and the Sphinx, jewelry became a symbol of power. Pharaohs and their queens were adorned in elaborate crowns, pectorals, and bracelets. Even in death, they are still garbed in sparkles when a collection of gold jewelry is buried with them. Egyptians also created jewelry made out of faience, a form of ceramic, as well as colorful beads made from semi-precious stones.

In Mesopotamia, jewelry was made from metal inlaid with colorful stones and gems like jasper, agate, carnelian, and lapis lazuli. These stones were set to the region's favorite patterns of cones, clusters of grapes, leaves, and spirals.

Their jewelry was designed both for the living and the dead. Archaeologists have discovered ancient Mesopotamian jewelry near statues and cenotaphs.

Initially, these brooches were made of bone, bronze, glass beads, gold, and pearl. Later on, they incorporated Sri Lankan sapphires and Indian diamonds. Amber and emeralds were also subsequently added to the designs.

Jewelry making and gold-smithing were honorable trades in ancient Rome. The Etruscans of Tuscany were known for their granulation method for crafting gold pieces. The styles were an eclectic mix inspired by the regions and colonies of the Roman empire. 

For thousands of years, the people of Africa have used colorful beaded jewelry to distinguish tribes and social status. African beads are made from various materials ranging from glass, wood, bone, and much-coveted ivory.

While modern jewelry has become more common, traditional beads are still the mainstream adornment in this continent. If you are looking for tradition and contemporary rolled in one, African jewelry is a great example. People incorporate bead jewelry with the latest popular jewelry designs.

Indian jewelry stands out for its elaborate gold filigree work. Despite the fashionable jewelry trends of the US, India stays true to its love for gold, with plenty of precious and semi-precious stones incorporated in the designs. Expect shining diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires, emeralds, and garnets.

Indian jewelry is a showstopper, thanks to the intricate patterns and sheer quantity of precious materials.  These pieces, especially those worn by brides, reflect a matriarchal culture that honors female authority and power.

Today, the jewelry of India still falls under three primary categories:

Today, jewelers in India have adopted a more contemporary twist on the conventional Indian adornments. They’ve replaced the traditional emeralds, diamonds, and ruby stones with onyx, amethyst, and jade.

As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, China’s jewelry trend has evolved for the last thousand years. This country is known for its piercing, punching, and filigree techniques.

Chinese jewelry makes heavy use of gold, silver, and jade. Jade is regarded as a lucky stone and a spiritual talisman that can protect the one who wears it.  This semi-precious stone represents familial love, morality, grace, and protection. It is also said to be a link to dynasties and their descendants.

You will see that men and women in China would have a piece of jade jewelry, typically as a charm in a bracelet, pendant, belt, or hair accessory. Jade jewelry pieces are passed down through generations, usually in the form of animal designs.

One of the longstanding customs is creating jewelry as part of the dowry to ensure a successful marriage. The traditional bridal robe is a red dress with a golden crown. These two are symbols of good health and a favorable future. 

After the wedding ritual, a tea ceremony follows, and this is where the bride is presented with a wide variety of gold jewelry. Upon receipt, she must automatically wear it to attract and guarantee good fortune in her married life.

When Mexican jewelry is mentioned, you will probably think of bold and bright colors. There is some truth to this, but silver is Mexico's most popular jewelry. With its abundance of silver, Mexico has been a leader in silver jewelry making. This precious metal is paired with gemstones like amethyst, amber, onyx, and turquoise.

The ornaments from this country are a striking mix of Aztec, Mayan, and Spanish influences. 

The Celts are world-renowned craftsmen, metalsmiths, and warriors. They prize bravery, fighting prowess, and beauty. Historical records show that when the Celts go into battle, they wear nothing but their weapons and jewelry. This way, opponents can recognize their athletic abilities and status.

In battle, they wear torcs which are neck rings made from gold, iron, bronze, and silver. They show how wealthy the warrior is. These neck rings are heavily engraved and can be taken as a victory token when defeated in battle.

Another interesting fact about this Ireland jewelry is the way you wear it alters the meaning. If you wear it with the heart pointed in towards the two arms, it means that you have a romantic interest. But if the heart is pointing outwards, you are seeking love.

Additionally, when you wear it on your left hand, it means that you’ve been or currently in a serious relationship. When you wear it on your right hand, you are only into friendship and casual relationships.

These jewelry pieces often have geometric patterns from different tribes like the Apache, Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni. You will also notice the use of feathers and seashells set in an elaborate metalwork base. 

Another unique characteristic is the combination of silver and turquoise. Turquoise is a favorite when set into bracelets, metal rings, pendants, and armbands.

Each concho is made of braided leather and huge oval pieces of turquoise and silver. The gemstones form patterns that demand great skill and a lot of attention to detail.

As they say, “If you have it, flaunt it.” Chunky necklaces, huge rings, and bulky bracelets are some of the trending jewelry 2021. Tubular and thick accessories are popular fashion statements nowadays. These are made from gold, silver, and more modern materials like plastic and stainless steel.

Stacked bracelets have been one of the most long-lasting jewelry trends. Thin rings worn at various levels in the fingers provide a refined aesthetic that’s practical for everyday wear.

If you follow fashionable jewelry trends 2021, you are probably adept at mixing and matching contrasting pieces. Chunky jewelry can be paired with more delicate pieces. This year, a statement necklace can complement minimal pieces, say an oversized chain choker with two to three long thin strand necklaces.

At one time or another, you’ve probably bought or received jewelry with your name spelled out. Thanks to this design, personalized name necklaces, initial necklace jewelry, or couples necklace with names will never go out of style. After all, your name is uniquely yours for life. 

Memorial jewelry can be a creative way of remembering loved ones. Modern style name necklace may have parts that can hold ashes. When you are looking into this kind of jewelry, consider commissioning a fingerprint pendant to pair with a simple chain. You can also buy an accessory with a loved one’s handwriting engraved on it.

For millennia, humanity has looked at the skies with wonder. It’s no surprise that a lot of jewelry pieces echo this fascination with heavenly bodies. Gold is used to show the brilliance of the sun, diamonds for the twinkling of the stars, and silver for the luminous glow of the moon.

Gold and silver single hoops in smaller diameters are usually preferred. Shimmering pearls and diamond studs are also favorites. These minimalistic earrings are ideal for everyday wear, especially for those who want to avoid the stress of matching jewelry to outfits.

One of the trending jewelry of 2020 is rolling over to 2021. Necklaces with chunky chains and a padlock pendant have kept their top spot. Bracelets with personalized charms remain quite popular as well.

For the more fashion-conscious, wearing the same pieces over and over again sounds bland. If you want to stand out from the crowd, it helps to wear different pieces each season. Since jewelry is a way to channel your character, having the latest bits and pieces of sparklers can help you bring out your inner self.

Once in a while, adding an excellent piece from the jewelry trends 2021 can be a smart move since it will always be an additional investment to your growing collection. You don't need to have all of whatever is trending. But if a piece catches your eye, you can indulge then mix and match it with your current collection.

You can never have too many shoes, and it's the same with jewelry. Having plenty of accessories and purchasing a few from the latest trends can help you change your look and overall vibe as needed. 

This is especially applicable for people working in industries where physical appearance is vital. From clothes, makeup, and jewelry, everything should match the image you wish to project. 

Do you need to interact with customers face to face? Are you in a position of authority? Do you want a career in politics, media, or entertainment? Investing in both trending and classic pieces is a good idea.

Additionally, having more jewelry means having more styles to explore. Sure, having more options can usually make the decisions more complicated, but it allows you to experiment. You can use the same wardrobe but achieve a different look every time, thanks to your updated jewelry collection.

Your wardrobe should have staples in nudes, blacks, greys, and whites. Then, update each outfit with watches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.

A lot of people purchase jewelry with a long-term plan in mind. They seek to leave a legacy of beautiful and expensive pieces that will be appreciated for generations. Since fashion trends repeat, popular jewelry 2021 can still be worn decades from now. Remember, jewelry from the 18th and 19th century can be worn today if they are properly stored and maintained.

Jewelry can last for more than a lifetime, making these ornaments a great legacy for your future children and grandchildren. Your favorite necklace or wedding ring can be passed on for hundreds of years. Each piece serves as tangible reminders of family stories and values.

These ornaments are also the perfect “just because” present. If you wish to express affection or appreciation, look no further than the latest jewelry catalog. See your loved one’s face light up when you give name necklaces 2021 or birthstone jewelry out of the blue. Your family and friends would surely appreciate presents that hold both material and emotional value.

Brooches and jewels with specific stones and subjects can express a view. It can be a political movement, religious belief, or a personal stand, and jewelry can be a sparkly way to say it out loud.

Today, body piercings have become a statement. Heavily tattooed people pair their body art with jewelry to express their creativity and excel in whatever profession they are involved in.

You don’t need to go to fashion capitals like Paris or New York to see the latest offerings. Virtual runways are experiencing a surge in popularity. You can spot a good piece of jewelry on these online shows. A fashion show lasts anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes.

You can watch it via a paid link, which is usually displayed on the brand's website or email newsletter. To reach a wider audience, these shows are uploaded on the social media and home pages of top fashion houses during fashion week.

Online shopping is experiencing a golden age, with more people preferring this option to brick-and-mortar stores. Jewelry fans are no exceptions.

The only drawback here is not being able to feel the texture of the jewelry or trying it out before purchasing. There’s nothing like wearing a necklace and seeing it against your skin. Good thing that most jewelry stores have clear exchange and return policies for online customers.

It’s always a good idea to ask local businesses about their latest offerings. Ask them to mail you catalogs and collections for each season. You can also visit their websites. Not only are you improving the economy, these smaller stores usually have a more personal approach and better customer service.

Make sure you call your local jeweler first and check their current processes for shopping. Some follow an appointment system to ensure that there would only be a minimal number of customers at a particular time.

Today, a trend is not an “official” trend unless it is on social media with millions of likes and thousands of shares. Social media has become a powerful marketing platform. Brands are looking into the influencers and content creators to market the latest jewelry trends. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tik-tok are some of the top platforms for new trends.