By Jen Conley

Greetings fellow jewelry lovers! Last week, at our Pearl society meeting, I presented on fashion trends that have been “trending” since the 1500s as seen through portraits and photographs. This week we decided to have a few photo-shoots inspired by several of those iconic images to showcase these trends.

We start with incorporating pearl earrings to create a sophisticated look as seen in the iconic painting “The Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer circa 1665. Adding a pair of elegant pearl earrings can really elevate a look weather it’s for a job interview or a nice date.

The same can be said of a pearl Necklace. Many powerful women can be seen wearing pearl necklaces throughout history including many first ladies of the United States and members of the British Royal family. A nested two strand pearl necklace like the gorgeous necklace Jackie Kennedy is wearing is a style marker of a strong and graceful woman.

Want to add a bit of drama to your everyday look? A geometric statement piece like a large pair of earrings is just what you need to have heads turning. This is particularly a great choice for those with short hair. The earrings can be well seen while the size and crisp lines of the shapes emphasize one’s jaw line.

Nothing says sexy like layering necklaces down the back of your neck. This is best achieved by wearing a layered 3 strand (or more) piece and letting it hang to the base of your shoulder blade or lower.

Alessandra Ambrosio at the 2018 BlacKkKlansman premier.

Searching for a Hollywood Glamour look? A large sparkling statement piece will do the trick. Elizabeth Taylor, Hollywood Royalty, best knew how to put together a show stopping look. Throwing on just a statement earring can complete a look and make you look like the most glamorous person in the room without being extravagant.

The same can be said of statement rings. Michelle Yeoh’s stunning emerald ring, which was featured in the movie “Crazy Rich Asians”, creates a bold and eye-catching look whether worn walking down the red carpet or down the streets of L.A. A beautiful statement piece is a wonderful investment for fashionistas around the globe.

During the late middle ages and early renaissance, it was very stylish in Italy to wear multiple rings on different alternating fingers as well as to stack multiple rings. Angelo Bronzino painted a woman who combined these trends by wearing gorgeous ruby ring on her left index and two pearl stacking rings on her left hand. A sign of a wealthy and fashionable Italian noble.

Queen Elizabeth, a northern European fashion icon, followed Italian fashion in this rare early portrait where she too is wearing multiple rings on her fingers. This trend has resurfaced and become extremely popular over the last decade being worn by celebrities around the world. I mean…why wear just one when you can wear several and have an edgy look!

Lastly, one of my favorite trends: the high-low necklace look. You can get this look by taking a long necklace (30 inches or longer) and wrap it once around the neck at choker length so that the rest of the necklace nicely flows down. This look has a few variations including a tie-knot style as seen on Natalie Wood while filming “This Property is Condemned” in 1965. This variation is a fun and chic way to jazz up any outfit. Be sure if you’re trying this at home do not tug the beads while making the tie because it will add tension to the fibers of the string and could cause the necklace to break. Just let gravity do the work and the necklace weight will make the “knot” fall into place. Having trouble recreating this look? Tune in to our Instagram @evejewelrygallery next week for a tutorial!

I hope some of these photos help inspire you next time you take a peek in to your jewelry box! Thank you for reading-in. Until next time, stay fashionable and remember ““Jewelry is like the perfect spice – it always compliments what’s already there” (Diane Von Furstenberg)