Jewelry has been a shining light in the COVID darkness that has dominated our lives for the past two years. Although lockdowns and travel restrictions have caused the business some problems, many of us are turning to jewelry instead of going on vacations or eating out because these activities have suddenly been made illegal.

More than ever, we want our jewelry to make people happy. There is no doubting the shift toward our desire for explosive color and playfulness, even though the trend cycle in jewelry moves more slowly than it does in fashion. According to Sophie Quy, executive vice president of Threads Styling, buyers are drawn to vivid color combinations from designers like Anabela Chan, Marie Lichtenberg, and Savonlinna. This phenomenon is known as “dopamine dressing,” It also applies to fine jewelry. Celebrities like Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa embrace the Y2K trend. Playfulness is now a major factor in many purchase selections, from hearts to cheerful faces to Brent Neale’s jeweled mushrooms attracting our attention. 2022 will be a year that encourages the urge to wear jewelry primarily for one’s pleasure, according to Mie Ejdrup, Co-Founder of Finematter. She says that jewelry should be unique and fun, and it’s as if we’re throwing out all the outdated fashion guidelines and conventions.
But what, you inquire, will you do this season? Continue reading to discover MEJ’s top selections for the jewelry styles that will make you dazzle in 2022.

Dopamine Dressing
This year, jewelry will continue to be all the rage thanks to the desire for bright, happy colors. According to Libby Page, senior market editor at Net-a-Porter, embellished chains are trendy right now as companies like Gigi Clozeau, Pascale Monvoisin, Brent Neale, and Sydney Evan experiment with novel materials like ceramics and stud links with diamonds or other precious stones.

Mixing Things Up
Are you on team silver or gold? Maximalism against minimalism Asymmetry or symmetry You can be anything you want in 2022, which is lovely news. There are no rules, which is the rule. The ultimate mixed-metal classic, Cartier’s Trinity, layering pieces or a single two-tone item like those by Charlotte Chesnais, Delfina Delettrez, or Finematter’s Ejdrup’s Trinity are just a few examples of what she predicts is on-trend in 2022. Page continues, “The neck mess trend is set to continue in 2021 with a “more is more” attitude by mixing and matching as many designs as you can, including hefty chains and pendants from designers like Lauren Rubinski and Anita Ko.”

The Ultimate Statement Item
The impact of the ’70s and ’80s on fashion pushes the rejection of delicate, barely-there jewelry in favor of the shamelessly bold statement piece. This translates to high-end statement jewelry from independent fine jewelry designers like Suzanne Kalan and Nikos Koulis for Threads Styling’s VIP clients.
Following the previous two years, Quy observes that “people are dressing up again and want to have fun.” There are many ways to make a statement for those of us with smaller wallets, whether it takes the form of a striking sculptural ring or a pair of colorful earrings.

Playtime
A playful diamond continues to be a favorite of ours. According to MatchesFashion’s Wisdom, novelty pieces were popular in fashion jewelry. Still, today they are now prevalent in fine jewelry, with elevated novelty pieces from designers like Alison Lou and Yvonne Leon performing well.

Emotional Attachment
“We’ve notice d a rise in demand for individualized jewelry, which combines initials, zodiac signs, and birthstones. According to Miranda Rose Williams, vice president of designer connections at Finematter, they are great conversation starters. Finding the piece that speaks to you is vital, advises Quy, whether stacking your favorite colorful chakra bracelet from Ananya or Marie Lichtenberg’s Love You To The Moon And Back locket.

Conscious Consumption
Consumers of jewelry are feeling more pressure to choose their jewelry carefully. Getting over the greenwashing is the most formidable challenge. Visit MEJ for advice on everything from what to ask your jeweler to how to buy diamonds to where to locate an ethical engagement ring. Although there is no ideal solution, requiring traceability and openness from brands is essential. Additionally, you can go vintage or have an item you no longer wear recycled and made into a piece you’ll never take off. According to the State of Fashion study, sustainability factors, such as environmental effects and ethical sourcing methods, are expected to have a 20 to 30% impact worldwide on fine jewelry sales by 2025.