Jewellery Trends

Accessories are a key look this season, as well as a great way to update any wardrobe. And a number of both fresh - and timeless - jewellery trends are emerging on the market to help you do just that. A few of the hottest trends this season include right hand rings, cocktail rings, charm bracelets, vintage style jewellery, circle jewellery and layered jewellery.

However, aside from retaining an unfailing fashion-ability, jewellery is about stating who you are - just look to the defining jewellery trends of iconic and alluring stars like Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner. That said, even today, there's no better place to uncover the latest jewellery trends than on your favourite celebrities. Jennifer Lopez and Drew Barrymore, for instance, love the layered jewellery look, while the likes of Jennifer Anniston, Cameron Diaz, Kiera Knightly and Paris Hilton have all been seen sporting circular jewellery - or more specifically, the 'circle necklace'. Moreover, jewellery trends tend to outlive fashion trends - so your jewellery will dazzle season after season.

The right-hand ring jewellery trend, for example - a trend by which women buy diamond rings for their right hand - represents women's independence and empowerment. The trend has been big in the US for some time, but is making its way over to the UK this season. Another variation of this is the cocktail ring. Every fashion-conscious woman is wearing one: they're big, bold and colourful, and are generally worn on the right hand. And while cocktail rings can be crafted out of diamonds, they're most often big gem stones or prominent statement pieces.

Bracelets form another large category in this season's top jewellery trends. Wooden bracelets, for example, are making a big comeback; however, other bracelet trends seem to hold an incessant gaze in the jewellery market. One trend that's always in style, the charm bracelet is a simple yet fun way to accessorize. You can buy them already assembled, or you can purchase a linked chain, collect your charms, and make your own, distinctive charm bracelet.

Certain styles of jewellery - such as vintage - are also expected to maintain their appeal this year. Classic vintage jewellery always holds some part of the jewellery market limelight; it captures the spirit of the 1950s, featuring modern interpretations of vintage classics which will, in time, become classics themselves. Stylish and timeless, heirloom vintage pieces will never go out of fashion.

Circular jewellery is another prominent component of this season's defining trends. The circle, perhaps the simplest of all shapes, is an endless symbol of love and life; circular jewellery is therefore a perfect way to celebrate a big step or a turning point in your life. Another major trend in the US, the circular design is particularly popular in the form of the 'circle necklace' - a necklace with a circle pendant, often decorated with diamonds.

And finally, layered jewellery is stong this season! Layering is about wearing many of the same type of pieces at the same time - a particularly strong trend with yellow gold jewellery. And if this approach to jewellery seems a little heavy-handed to you, rest assured that layering needn't look heavy or overdone - just as long as the right pieces are layered together. So don't buy one necklace, bangle or bracelet this season - buy five!

You'll find a number of jewellery specialists who prioritise and recommend the latest and most classic jewellery trends - so you can take your pick and accessorize - whether it's to update your wardrobe or simply complement your distinctive style.

Handmade Bracelets

At one point or another, everyone has experienced the joy of receiving a handmade bracelet in their life. Whether you have been given a friendship bracelet by someone who was close to you, put together beads with your grandmother over a lazy Sunday afternoon, or been given a special present by someone who you had a crush on you, handmade bracelets have probably crossed your path at one point or another. Most people get over them, but I have never. I love all of them. I love charm bracelets, friendship bracelets, lanyards – you name it and I have made dozens of them. I even tried to start a handmade bracelet business at one point, although it quickly fell through.

I guess the thing I like so much about handmade bracelets is the effect of the personal touch. In this age where almost everyone buys gifts, people forget the effect it can have on the you to receive something that has been handmade by a friend. A new CD or computer game will be forgotten within several months or years. A nice piece of handmade jewelry – something which costs only a fraction of the price – will be with you forever. For me, it is almost a magical process. The way that a handmade keepsake can unite two people is truly amazing if you think about it. This is why I take every opportunity that I have to make a handmade bracelet for someone.

A lot of people never make handmade bracelets because they haven't been shown how. They assume that it will be too hard for them because they don't particularly have a knack for crafts. If you have never tried it before, you would be amazed at how easy handmade bracelets can be. You can make them in many different ways.

When I was a kid, my favorite way with bead looms. With the bead loom, you can turn a thread and cheap plastic beads into a gorgeous pattern of different colors and shades. You can even draw little pictures with the beads! Another favorite among children is the lanyard. These handmade bracelets are made out of strips of brightly colored plastic that are twisted together in various patterns. Both of these are extremely inexpensive ways to assemble your own bracelets handmade, yet can be used to make gifts that will be remembered for a long time. You can even just go into a bead store and pick out your favorite beads to assemble a lovely, unique necklace. It takes moments, but will be remembered for years.