Bling It On, Baby

Just when you thought fashion couldn’t get much louder — it just did. Michelle Bong explains the hot trend of coloured rocks.

Diamonds used to be a girl’s best friend, but now it seems she’s also open to more than one BFF. Asian women are adding other sparkling alternatives to their jewellery pool, and industry players have unanimously hailed these to be coloured gemstones, large rings and warm-hued metals such as rose gold, with jewellery or timepieces featuring intriguing material pairings also making their presence felt.

Today’s woman wants all things bold and beautiful. Among today’s popular favourites are Hermès statement rings with colourful gems playing birthstones, Chopard chandelier earrings featuring a rainbow of gemstones, Poh Heng large gold cuffs and Voi Jewellery’s big, bold diamond-and-coloured gemstone pieces featuring a variety of precious metals and non-traditional settings.

And in terms of watches, the Asian woman wants dazzling versions featuring diamonds and other gems, or interesting pairings like diamond-and-feathers or diamond-and-rubber.

The reason for this? A revival of coloured gemstones in the jewellery market, as part of what seems to be a global trend. This comes as no surprise, given the constantly evolving world of fashion trends and the fact that these coloured alternatives to the ubiquitous diamond add both depth and variety to any existing jewellery design. In particular, there is a growing appetite for tanzanite; tanzanite prices have more than doubled in the past 10 years. Sapphires, emeralds and amethysts are also in great demand, partly for their exquisite colours, and more due to a trend of wearing one’s birthstone.

Helping to set precedence for this burgeoning trend are Hollywood celebrities who have graced the catwalk in jewellery of all shapes, sizes and tones. We’re still talking about the gorgeous Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings and matching cocktail ring Angelina Jolie wore to the Oscars in February. Similarly, we were spellbound by Marion Cotillard’s 13-carat sapphire cocktail ring, Heidi Klum’s coral and diamond bracelets and Amy Adams’ spectacular Fred Leighton 1950’s bib necklace, made up of approximately 630 carats of emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

Yellow and rose gold are also red-hot now, said to be the result of a spike in prices for the previously-favoured platinum. Their warm hues are also a good complement to coloured stones as a striking backdrop. Fittingly, you can expect more of these stunning combinations in the near future, as brand spokespersons say trend on mixing white diamond with other gems, or diamonds set in more than one type of gold in a single design will continue.

Going shopping any time soon? Consider our top picks of jewellery you should be wearing this season all the way to Christmas and the New Year.

• Tiffany and Co Morganite Briolette earrings
• Piaget Miss Protocole watch
• Cartier Elongated Panthère watch
• M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza bangles
• Mouawad rings