Jewellery Design

Style Statement: The word jewelry derived from Latin jocale, meaning a plaything conjures up images of baubles and blings in varied sizes, shapes and designs. Classifying it as a plaything is appropriate considering jewelry has been used to flaunt appearance and financial status by both genders down centuries.

From flower or bead strings around neck to metal functional pieces to pin material together or simply jewelry ornaments the styles were bold, intricate, fancy, modern or antique reflecting mood, passion or desires of wearer. Growing popularity of jewelry necessitated newer designs and along with manufacturing and marketing, jewelry designing became a lucrative profession.

Today one has a choice of elegant or intricate hand crafted pieces, commercial machine made pieces or exclusive designer pieces. The easy availability of low cost ornamental jewelry facilitated matching designs with outfit and occasion. The traditional, heirloom or heavy jewelry ranging from 18th century to present could be reserved for special occasions and be passed down generations as family wealth. With women joining the work force or taking to careers there was a demand for lighter and fancier jewelry that was not only trendy but durable. Changing times demand progressive methods and jewelers turned to computerization to get exact molds for stone jewelry or mix and match designs for metal pieces leaving little scope for error or faulty craftsmanship.

Understanding jewelry-changing patterns: Jewelry comprises of necklaces, rings, earrings, chains, brooches, bracelets and bangles, cuff links and fancy items. These could be of gold, silver, platinum, copper set in plain designs or studded with precious or semi precious gems such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, topaz etc. Instead of blindly purchasing what is in vogue or is worn by friend or competitor one should first check out purity of metal or stone. Gems when studded look different in different settings as their characteristics determine the visual impact. The points to remember and look for are: setting should be durable; clasps should be easy to manipulate rather than getting stuck while fastening or opening; verify credentials of store or designer, again important for precious items and lastly the design selected should compliment wearers personality.

The demand for light and stylish jewelry thrust the diamond into the forefront with diamond jewelry turning into a hot favorite with young and old. The reason being diamonds go well with all age groups, outfits and life styles. The combination of the Four Cs or color, clarity, cut and carat weight of a diamond facilitates setting diamond into any design whether light and airy, a single stone pendent or ring or a heavy intricate choker and danglers to spice up a party mood. When combined with other gemstones the cut or depth of a diamond highlights other gem stones and lends a different aura to setting altogether.

Going with the Times- Floral or Twisted: Fashion and lifestyle dictate designs and every decade has it own particular requirements. The present woman prefers designs to compliment her wardrobe

ranging from office wear to evening dresses. She prefers jewelry of neutral design that is wearable for different occasions and most important within budget. Few women like to exceed their budget as for majority it is a personal investment. Exclusive diamonds such as colored diamonds are rare gems and are basically generational pieces. Designers are experimenting with color-treated diamonds creating multi-hued pieces with yellow, orange, red, blue, purple, green brown or black diamonds set with white to give it an authentic look.

Design Trail: Enjoying the status of being the stone of the moment the diamond has taken mindsets into a tizzy. Along with colors and shapes there is an assortment of designs to select from: the flamboyant and empiricalsolitaire set in gold or platinum; small, round or baguettes set in clusters or teamed with other precious gem stones such as rubies, emeralds or sapphires to project an expensive look or the comemrcial copies selling by dozens.

The shape and color dictates setting an example being the highly valued colored diamond that is normally set in pedestal style to give it an exclusive look. 'Square' diamonds work well in majority designs as the shape allows for experimentation in design. The sharp corners or points of square diamonds are chamfered to improve durability without changing shape of stone. At a lesser flexible level is 'princess' cut diamond with its different facets that only an experienced professional can set it into a mold. Some times the design necessitates that corners be evened out or clipped to improve diamond's durability without changing shape of stone.

Jewelry aficionados never had it so good with choice of traditional, Grecian, Egyptian, Asian, modern or artistic designs to select from. There is something for everyone and having a surplus amount makes us forget that diamond is a precious stone. In haste or bravado we purchase diamond jewelry only looking at design only to discover that the stone is not woth the value we have given. One should remember that diamond designer jewelry is expensive and needs deliberation and advice from a knowledgable person. If giving personal design it is sensible to work with an expert to select the best quality diamonds suited for any fancy design. A princess cut diamond fits well with steep and rough designs rather than square baguettes or emerald cut diamonds.

Today jewelry, whether in gold or diamonds, is an integral accessory of any outfit and as consequence opens a wide canvas for a jewelry designer to turn it into an art form. The exclusive ones have their muses taking cue from history, architecture, the arts or famous people turning pieces that are fashionable and traditional. Such pieces reflect craftsmanship of producer and are treasured as heirlooms by future generations.

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