Fall 2016 jewelry trends: bigger, bolder, earthier and more lux

Getting ready to shop for fall? Don't forget to give your jewelry box a refresher as well!

Here are 4 of the easiest fall color trends to mix and match with pieces you already have, and accessorize with casual jewelry designs. It's an affordable treat!

      Trend 1: Rare Earth Elements    

The designer's take:

Honestly did this trend ever really go away? It may not have ebbed and flowed in prominence, but rare earth gemstones with raw crystal edges, agate banding and geodes have never not been beautiful, unique personal adornments.

The runway's current crush is really large stones - sliced geodes and agates - in rich jewel tones: purples, blues, black and white.

Alexis Mabille's ready-to-wear collection showcased the most impressively bold pieces, and often multiple ones overlapped with each other. Elie Saab, in contrast, had slightly smaller gems, a more refined aesthetic, and an easier to wear anywhere vibe. 

See this trend from the Designers:

See this trend on Stylecaster
Calvin Klein also showcased this style
Vogue shared more examples from designers

My jewelry take:

Couldn't be happier to see geodes, raw crystals and agates on the runway again, and I love the new use of bold color.  Some of the truly huge stones just aren't practical for everyday though - think of all that weight on your neck! My designs are a bit smaller, for better comfort and the kind of style you can wear anyplace, anytime.

Shop these pieces:

Large indigo agate and geode pendant

Black and crystal reverse geode necklace

Red agate geode necklace

Dainty black and crystal geode necklace

Raw crystal amethyst necklace

Sky blue geode and white turquoise necklace

      Trend 2: Bold Mixed Stone Designs    

Remember a couple of years ago when everything was tiny gold chains with itty bitty little charms on them? Well the runway says that's over. Bold is back, and it's bigger, shinier and more lusciously jewel-toned than ever.

Chunky, mixed gemstone statement pieces - in long necklaces, mid-length, collars and in bracelets too. The colors are lush as well: tiger eye browns, emerald, jade and malachite greens, amethyst purple and rich turquoise and lapis blues. 

See this trend from the Designers:

See this trend from Dries van Noten on Harper's Bazaar
See this trend from Bottega Veneta on Harper's Bazarr

My jewelry take:

I'm not going to lie. I love bold gemstone designs. I like simple and dainty too, but there's just something about a single piece that makes an incredible statement all on it's own. But I have toned down some of the over-the-top size of the runway pieces, and created more casual designs that keep the chic vibe, but can be worn in the office, or out to lunch with friends.

Shop these pieces:

Bold red and black agate bracelet
Mixed gemstone rainbow necklace

Art Deco green aventurine bracelet

Mint green Italian onyx & serpentine necklace

Chunky white quartz bracelet

      Trend 3: Keep it Close    

Bold statement chokers. Wow. Incredible looks: some geometric, some inspired by organic forms, some tribal, and some almost like armor. The materials were heavily metallic: golds and silvers, but also gemstones and pearls, and even lucite made a comeback. 

See this trend from the Designers:

See this trend on Vogue 

Lanvin showed this look, check it out on Harper's Bazaar

So did Ralph Lauren,  see them on Harper's Bazaar

My jewelry take:

I'm slowly, but surely, rolling out a line of statement chokers. I'm trying to add 1-2 new pieces a week, and I started 2 weeks ago, I have only 3 necklaces in my shop, but all are extremely unique.

Shop these pieces:

All my statement chokers

      Trend 4: Bits of Flair    

 This trend is just plain fun. Brooches, lots and lots of brooches, (many vintages) worn all over your outfit. You essentially get to create your own clothing, because the jewelry creates entirely new patterns and motifs.

Plus, who doesn't have some vintage pins from your mother or grandmother? Now you can show off the whole collection in one go. It's like you get to create your own clothing, by making designs from jewelry. But this trend works best on an outfit of solid black, white or cream, so that other colors don't distract from your creation.

See this trend from the Designers:

Dolce & Gabbana loved the look (seen on Vogue)
So did Alexander Mcqueen
See this trend on Fashionisers

My jewelry take:

I love this trend, you simply can't go wrong. Everything you do is electrically fun, and incredibly you! Plus, everyone has a piece or two in her closet that looks good on her but is just kind of bland. Plain black turtlenecks? Boring basic white sweaters? You can completely transform them. I like to think of it as the bedazzler for 2016. 

Coincidentally, I've just started carrying vintage jewelry, including brooches, in my Etsy shop. There are some top-quality mid-century American and Italian brooches in there, and all are in great condition. They'd be perfect to fill in any holes in your own vintage collection.

Shop these pieces:

All my vintage brooches

      Trend 5: Pearls     

Pearls were everywhere for fall. Sometimes large, overlapping strands were layered together for an incredible statement. Sometimes they were strung on linear bars, for unique, geometric designs.

But mostly they were simple, classic strands of pearls, that never go out of style, can be worn anywhere and dressed up or down. 

See this trend from the Designers:

Vogue spotted the trend
Jason Wu was in on it (as seen at Harper's Bazaar) 

And so was Rag & Bone (also from Harper's Bazaar)

My jewelry take:

Pearls have always been a staple in my jewelry box, and in my shop. They're a best-seller for me.  I gravitate towards freshwater pearls, for their affordability, gorgeous baroque shapes, and broad range of colors.  I create simpler, classic designs, which can be worn individually or layered together to make a bold statement.

Shop these pieces:

Simple necklace with jumbo freshwater pearls
Natural peach freshwater pearls
Crystal faux pearl anklet
Simple blue necklace with jumbo freshwater pearls
Simple dainty pearl necklace
Marsala berry pearl necklace