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Divia Harilela

Contributing writer for Style by SCMP, specialising in fashion, beauty and lifestyle


Sparkling show stoppers; Make a dazzling statement as oversized pieces, semi-precious stones, delicate pearls and above all colours take centre stage

LAST YEAR WAS all about the bling, and this year it is no different. Wallflowers be warned. If you don't like overstated jewellery,  this year's glamorous pieces are definitely not for you.

'White diamonds continue to reign supreme, with fancy coloured diamonds [pink, yellows and blue] being the new force in the industry,' said William Hui, brand manager of Just Gold and Just Diamond.

'Coloured diamond engagement rings are a new and upcoming trend,' he adds.

The company's offering to  this season's new bling is the Contour Spell collection, which features European-inspired Italian-made designs  made up of white-gold chains  and diamonds.

Another brand recapturing the glamour of days gone by is Van Cleef & Arpels.  Their new couture collection takes inspiration from the jazz age, with all its extravagance and boldness.

'Earrings consist of petals of coloured diamonds for a charming touch of asymmetry,' said Benjamin Vuchot,  managing director of Van Cleef & Arpels, Asia. 'Necklaces perfectly curve around the neck, while cuffs make a comeback and are embroidered with tiny flowers and delicate leaves. For rings, luxurious gold is decorated with blossoms of diamonds and sapphires.'

Also in fashion  is multi-functional jewellery.

Always a trendsetter, luxury jeweller Piaget  has taken this theme to new heights with   its Possession Embrace Me collection, the key piece of which is the Possession Chain.

'You can wear it as a bracelet, wear it long or make it a choker,' said Dimitri Gouten,  managing director of Piaget Asia-Pacific. 'Customers have been requesting pieces that have more adaptability, and want pieces that can be worn over and over again but that look different. They need to be multi-functional, and this fits the bill.'

Cartier assistant manager, jewellery, Cornelia Callens agrees. 'Our customers like the versatile products that can be used in different ways.'  Cartier's Baby Trinity Necklace (part of  its famous Trinity collection)  is an elegant yet adaptable piece that can be worn either short, around the neck or long up to the waist. 'This is a totally new and playful concept, and is already very popular in Hong Kong,' Ms Callens said.

The 'longer the better' theory also seems to apply  to earrings. While celebrities can still be seen donning their  chandelier earrings  (last year every celebrity seemed to own at least 100 pairs),  longer drop earrings now appear to be  the more elegant and understated choice. Hoops are also aplenty, and have been given the x-factor with dangling semi-precious stones.

Of course jewellery doesn't always have to be  serious, which is why many jewellers  have added extra charm to their younger lines.

Piaget's new charm bracelet is already a best-seller and comes with interchangeable  pieces (each featuring  a small diamond) that can be worn on a Y-shaped chain or leather bracelet. Cartier has its own interpretation, while Omega has released a bracelet as part of their Griffes collection, which combines elements of the Omega brand with symbols representing love and eternity.

Undoubtedly, the biggest trend  this season is the brooch (thanks to style queen Sarah Jessica Parker - of Sex and the City fame - who has been wearing them everywhere from award shows to her latest Gap advert).

'Use them to add life to any piece of clothing or any accessories. Try tattoo-effect brooches, snakes, lizards, dragons or reptiles,' said  Nicole Tai, group design head of Just Gold and Just Diamond.

Jan Kong from Lane Crawford  said  go for oversized or small pieces, 'but stick with a classic look; diamonds or semi-precious stones and pearls'.

The ultimate in luxurious brooches comes   from Cartier. The  new La Panthere  Collection revitalises the brand's iconic panther symbol.

As with fashion, trends work in cycles, so  past trends have now become staples in our jewellery boxes. Semi-precious stones were a hit last year, and  continue to pop up everywhere.

'A returning hit in 2005 are colourful stones such as garnets, emeralds, sapphires, citrines, aquamarines. For settings, large coloured stones are kept centre-stage, and are surrounded and enhanced by glittering diamonds,' said Mr Hui.

Colour also makes waves this season in the form  of gold. White gold is  favoured for  daytime wear as it is modern and sophisticated, and can also be unisex.

'Pink gold is also getting more popular with women, as it is feminine and matches nicely with most skin tones. It can also be worn during the day and night. Yellow gold is more popular with traditional and classic customers,' said Ms Callens.

Pave-setting and colourful pieces are also in vogue. New additions to Chow Sang Sang  come from Italian jewellery master Stefan Hafner,  who promises top quality diamonds and precious stones assembled in shining pave settings.

'Carrying on summer's popularity, colourful pieces studded with semi-precious stones are still prevalent. We plan to carry some stunning pieces from Marco Bicego, that contain aquamarine, yellow quartz, peridot  and citrine,  which have never been out of fashion,' said a Chow Sang Sang spokesman.

'Pearls are still very much in vogue, although it is more about the delicate shapes,' said Mr Gouten.

When it comes to rings, the bigger the better. But the secret is in how you wear them.  'Right-handed rings are all the rage,' said Mr Hui.

'Your left hand is for love, but your right hand is for success. Perfect for independent women who don't depend on men to buy them rings!'

Looking ahead, next year will see a big focus on men's jewellery. Cartier will be launching a unisex  collection this Christmas.

'This type of jewellery is getting more and more popular since couples like to have the same rings, chains or pendants,' said Ms Callens.

- Brooches

Get ready to experiment  and the more unusual the better. Brooches can dress up anything from bags and jackets to shoes and belts.  For a  classic look,  use one to accessorise  a shawl or pashmina.

- Bling Bling

Wear it with confidence. Don't let it overpower you. Pair it with a floor-length, flesh-exposing dress, or for a more casual look, nothing beats jeans.  Slip  elements into  daywear with  a chunky  ring, or sparkly brooch with your tweed suit.  Vintage is always a hit.

- Pearls

Opt for longer, multi-strand necklaces paired with cute prom-style dresses or jeans. For work, wear them with a pencil skirt and twin set.  For subtlety, there is always the girl with the pearl earrings.

- Long necklaces

This can be tricky especially if you don't have the assets (if you get my drift) to wear a plunging neckline. Double them up to create a multi-bracelet, or use it as a belt to brighten up any dress. For the more daring, go backless and wear it the other way round!



Bejewelled!