When you meet a trend hunter, you know it. She’s the one wearing something (often more than one thing) that appears on the cover of at least one magazine, can be traced back to a celebrity sighting, or can be seen front and center at hot spots like Bergdorf Goodman and Stanley Korshak. For this customer, you’ve got to stay on your game and be as knowledgable as she is. Your whole store doesn’t have to be cutting edge, but you should have a little corner of trend heaven where you keep the latest and fastest designs. Keep current fashion and celebrity magazines around to validate your choices and make her feel comfortable in hers. — C I N D Y E D E L S T E I N
This article originally appeared in the March 2015 edition of INDESIGN.
* All prices MSRP unless otherwise indicated.
THE CHOKER
Chokers are coming back as a nod to the ’70s vibe we’re seeing in fashion. This is a fun trend that has many, many ways to rock it well in fine jewelry. For the trendy customer on a budget, she can have leather or silver chokers if the all-gold look is too much. Either way, it’s fun to see the neck embraced so tightly again.
PRODUCT DETAILS: Moonstone choker with diamond clusters by Jacquie Aiche
$1,125
jacquieaiche.com
THE EAR CUFF
Ear cuffs are a great way to add another jewel without another piercing. They seem edgy by the mere nature of how you add them to your ear, but you can find very ladylike versions as well as hardcore rocker types, too. The Maxed-Out Maven will want affordable options so that she can buy several.
PRODUCT DETAILS: 18K white gold pavé Gigi pearl and ball ear cuff in 14K yellow gold with white diamonds and pearl by Paige Novick
$470
paigenovick.com
THE EAR SPIKES
This past year has been super exciting for earlobes. Trend watchers have gone crazy for the various ear jackets, especially the ones that go behind the lobe. Stud-in-a-skirt is the nickname. They’re easy to stock and can jazz up your traditional stud inventory, so think of modernizing your offerings to sell old and new studs to these fashionistas.
PRODUCT DETAILS: 18K yellow gold with rose-cut bezel-set black diamond post and pave full-cut black diamond spikes by Pamela Love
$4,400
pamelalovenyc.com
THE BRACELET
The arm party trend is a good one and it just won’t fade, so finding new and different versions of wrap bracelets, ID bracelets, beaded bracelets and the like should be on your shopping list at every trade show. You can also scout for stackable options to add to your merchandise mix any time you want on Instagram by following editors and trend reporters of all kinds.
PRODUCT DETAILS: Diamond double wrap bracelet handmade in 18K yellow gold and oxidized sterling silver, featuring old euro-cut diamonds, by Sylva & Cie
$48,000
sylvacie.com
Cindy Edelstein owns Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, a niche marketing firm that offers the industry solutions for helping designers and retailers connect and profit together. Visit jewelrydesignerfinder.com to sign up for her trend newsletter and follow her on Twitter at @JewelryBizGuru.