Top 10 New Summer Jewelry Trends

Contributed by Korina Rossi, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

Summer is the season of outdoor barbeques, weekend beach getaways, and road trip vacations with the kids.

A great summer wardrobe has a collection of shorts, print dresses, and sandals, but don’t forget to spice up your daily wear with a few jewelry pieces.

Here are my top 10 summer jewelry trends for 2011:

10. Pandora bracelet

Originality and self-expression are the hallmarks of this summer’s jewelry trends. “Pandora” style charm bracelets can display vacation mementos, emblems of hobbies, or your children’s names. A great conversation starter, buy a few and organize your charms around playful themes.

9. Chunky rings

Choosing a few chunky rings that match the color palette of your clothes shows your eye for detail and accentuates your style. Coming in a variety of colors and materials, they are an economical way to add flair to your outfits.

8. Green jewelry

Eco-conscious fashionistas will get a kick out of new, sustainable materials and fair trade products being offered in jewelry. The unique look of hemp, organic cotton, or bamboo rayon will send the message that you’re a consumer who cares about the planet.

7. Glass jewelry

Glass jewelry, especially made by fabled Venetian glass blowers, has made a comeback as top designers are favoring accessories that are flamboyant and colorful.

6. Tassels

Tassel-embellished earrings and necklaces are popping up at the fashion shows this year, evoking the frolicsome days of flappers, bathtub gin, and the Charleston.

5. Rhinestones

Glittery rhinestone necklaces with intricate designs are all the rage this summer. If your evening wardrobe is mostly made up of staid solids, a shimmering necklace will add some sparkle.

4. Leather necklaces

As sportswear has become more chic, designers have started offering fine leather pieces that are the perfect complement to your khaki pants and hiking boots.

3. Sports watches

Consider adding a stylish sports watch to your jewelry chest for your days of water sports, and leave the cell phone at home. With watches designed for every type of sport, you can choose one that will time your running intervals, track your route with a GPS, or tell you which way the wind is blowing.

2. Pearls

Pearl jewelry is an enjoying a revival this season. Pearls come in a variety of colors, other than the traditional off-white, and older pearl jewelry can be disassembled and re-set into a contemporary design.

1. Ribbon necklaces

The bearable lightness of ribbon jewelry makes it perfect for balmy summer nights. Adding color and texture without the weight of some materials, ribbon necklaces come in almost every shade of the rainbow.