What type of fashion puts a smile on your face?
If the answer is beautiful jewelry, you’ll be glad to know this is a trend that’s yet to fall out of favor. Glittering necklaces, decorative rings and dangling earrings have carved out a special part in many of our hearts and continue to dazzle wherever they’re found, be it a fancy party or a casual date. You can tie an entire outfit together depending on the necklace or earrings you choose. You can even create a one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one that will withstand the test of time. Beautiful jewelry is more than just an indulgence. It’s how we express the deepest parts of ourselves.
You won’t have to dig very deep in your culture studies books to find out about the impact of beautiful jewelry on human culture. Countless countries have their own unique relationship with bangles, chokers and rings, spanning from the continent of India to island nations to your very own backyard. Jewelry is not just decorative, it’s also highly meaningful and can get across complex messages depending on the make. The tradition of giving a fiancee an engagement ring was first introduced by Maximilian of Austria many hundreds of years ago, setting a trend by giving his future wife Mary Of Burgandy a brilliantly crafted ring as a marriage proposal. The rest, as they always say, is history!
But how does all that chalk up to fashion today? Getting rid of the old in favor of the new isn’t in the cards quite yet, as multiple studies have shown both Baby Boomers and Millennials still having a soft spot for trinkets. It’s estimated that 38 million Americans in any given year will buy fine jewelry or watches. The latter is particularly interesting due to the watch becoming seemingly obsolete thanks to modern technology. While our preferences toward beautiful jewelry is decided old-fashioned, our attitudes have evolved somewhat to be more caught up in the times.
Studies have shown over 80% of Millennials believe it’s important to buy responsibly sourced, cruelty-free jewelry. Compare this to the national average at just 65%. People want beautiful custom jewelry designs, but they want to make sure they’re not contributing active harm in the process! Companies that craft environmentally friendly and financially lucrative engagement rings and fashion necklaces stand to move forward much more seamlessly than their more archaic counterparts. When it comes to marriage, the art of giving a ring will continue to be a tale as old as time.
Rings aren’t just for women. Nearly 30% of men would wear an engagement ring, while another 60% of men prefer to consult with their girlfriend before buying her a ring. The vast majority of American brides will have engagement rings and wedding rings made out of gold and diamonds. These beautiful materials have long since been valued for their combination of delicacy and strength (diamond being the world’s hardest substance, after all). They not just represent prestige, they represent prosperity and brilliance everlasting.
It’s thought a third of those buying diamond jewelry are more than willing to spend an excess of $1,000 in order to get the perfect ring. That should say something about how much custom jewelry can mean to a person! Nowadays lab created diamonds are leading the pack as the conscientious and lucrative way of maintaining old traditions, with 80% of Millennials feeling either happy or neutral concerning lab grown diamond creations. Colorful stones are also seeing a comeback thanks to celebrity weddings like Halle Berry’s and Jessica Simpson’s.
When you buy a ring or a necklace, you buy an entirely new way to look at yourself. There’s nothing like a little jewelry to put a twinkle in your eye.