Shopping for a birthday, anniversary or special occasion in 2018? GIA experts searched high and low for what’s trending and found these popular jewelry styles: big hoop earrings, big cuffs, quirky cameos and more. Take a look before you shop.

In this blog we cover:

Popular jewelry styles: Big hoop earrings
Popular jewelry styles: Big cuffs
Popular jewelry styles: Quirky cameos
Popular jewelry styles: Edgy pearls
Popular jewelry styles: Bejeweled monograms
Popular jewelry styles: Flower power

Popular jewelry styles: Big hoop earrings

Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Jennifer Lopez and Demi Lovato were just a few of the many celebrities to accessorize with big hoop earrings in 2017 – and that makes it a popular jewelry trend for 2018. Over the last half century, hoop earrings have popped in and out of style, with their biggest moment in the 1960s and early 1970s. But the style is far older: It was in vogue as long ago as 2500 BCE among Sumerian women, as well as in ancient Greece and Rome. Hoops even dangled from the earlobes of pirates. Now the look is back in a BIG way – meaning jumbo-size hoops.

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Jennifer Lopez wears this popular jewelry style to add edge to a red-carpet look.

These big but delicate hoop earrings worn by Jennifer Lopez feature 1.48 carats of diamonds sparkling in a white gold setting.


These big but delicate hoop earrings worn by Jennifer Lopez feature 1.48 carats of diamonds sparkling in a white gold setting. Courtesy: Djula

Diamonds and rubies set in a floral design add serious style to these double hoop earrings.

Diamonds and rubies set in a floral design add serious style to these double hoop earrings. Courtesy: TheRealReal.com

Sleek white gold hoop earrings studded with diamonds are a popular jewelry style sure to turn heads.

Sleek white gold hoop earrings studded with diamonds are a popular jewelry style sure to turn heads. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

These 18K yellow gold hoop earrings feature dangling fingers of mother-of-pearl.

These 18K yellow gold hoop earrings feature dangling fingers of mother-of-pearl. Courtesy: TheRealReal.com

Popular jewelry styles: Big cuffs

Wonder Woman was one of the most successful movies of 2017. Gal Gadot’s performance in the leading role catapulted her to international stardom. GIA experts took notice of it and saw that the accessories to her costume became a fashion sensation – especially her magical cuff bracelets. Fashionistas have adopted this cuff as their own, donning stylish versions to flaunt their power. This will make big cuffs a popular jewelry style for 2018.

Strut your prowess by wearing a bold cuff bracelet like this contemporary creation fashioned from 18K gold and coral.

Strut your prowess by wearing a bold cuff bracelet like this contemporary creation fashioned from 18K gold and coral. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

The 0.32 carats of diamonds studding the band of oxidized sterling silver add a dash of serious glamour.

A superhero with a hip side? This bracelet would be the perfect accessory. The 0.32 carats of diamonds studding the band of oxidized sterling silver add a dash of serious glamour. Courtesy: Lika Behar

Delicate branches of 14K gold. Diamond buds. Elegance has its own power.

Delicate branches of 14K gold. Diamond buds. Elegance has its own power. Courtesy: I. Reiss

Popular jewelry styles: Quirky cameos

Cameos – gems with relief (raised) carvings on a different-color background – have gone in and out of fashion for centuries. They were popular during the Roman Empire, the Renaissance and the Victorian era. Mythological figures and portraits of loved ones were typical subject matter. Cameos are back in style – but this time with a twist: The subject matter tends to be quirky. And, once again, cameos count as a popular jewelry style.

Grinning skulls? Dueling scimitars? These earrings aren’t for the faint of heart. Colorless diamonds and black diamonds decorate the ghostly crowns floating over each cameo.

Grinning skulls? Dueling scimitars? These earrings aren’t for the faint of heart. Colorless diamonds and black diamonds decorate the ghostly crowns floating over each cameo. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

Don’t be fooled by the wings and halo on the figure in this cameo. The pitchfork and little horns prove that this angel is a devil in disguise.

Don’t be fooled by the wings and halo on the figure in this cameo. The pitchfork and little horns prove that this angel is a devil in disguise. Courtesy: TheRealReal.com

“See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” is an ancient Japanese proverb. A contemporary jewelry designer has breathed new life into the saying with a playful cameo cuff bracelet lit with a rainbow of tsavorites, blue topaz, and blue, pink and yellow sapphires.

“See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” is an ancient Japanese proverb. A contemporary jewelry designer has breathed new life into the saying with a playful cameo cuff bracelet lit with a rainbow of tsavorites, blue topaz, and blue, pink and yellow sapphires. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

Popular jewelry styles: Edgy pearls

How do you turn a fashion staple into a popular jewelry style? Jewelry designers have been tackling this challenge by transforming the elegant pearl into downright funky creations. A gem that was once reserved for royalty and the wealthy now makes waves from formal occasions to popular musical festivals.

Draped in sterling silver and rose gold chains, these baroque freshwater cultured pearls look like they were just recovered from an ancient shipwreck.

Draped in sterling silver and rose gold chains, these baroque freshwater cultured pearls look like they were just recovered from an ancient shipwreck. Courtesy: Samira 13 Jewelry

How about a hollowed-out freshwater cultured pearl pendant filled with 16.25 carats of sapphires? That’s a look that will turn heads.

How about a hollowed-out freshwater cultured pearl pendant filled with 16.25 carats of sapphires? That’s a look that will turn heads. Courtesy: Little h

A Tahitian cultured pearl, diamonds … and leather? The unusual combination works in this rustic-looking piece, which can be worn as a choker or a bracelet.

A Tahitian cultured pearl, diamonds … and leather? The unusual combination works in this rustic-looking piece, which can be worn as a choker or a bracelet. Courtesy: Vincent Peach

Popular jewelry styles: Bejeweled monograms

A monogram is your chance to proudly show off one or more of your initials. Dress them up in gems, and you’re sure to be noticed. You’ll also be in good company. Rulers of ancient Greece and Rome placed their monograms on coins to identify their region of origin. Artists such as Rembrandt have used monograms in place of signatures for centuries. In the Victorian era, royals routinely used monograms to indicate their rank. And they were fashionable throughout the 20th century. Now gem-set monograms will have their moment as a popular jewelry style in 2018.

A circle of emeralds surrounds the monogram on this platinum charm.

A circle of emeralds surrounds the monogram on this platinum charm. Courtesy: Alexis Kletjian

This timeless Edwardian diamond and pearl watch pendant necklace features a monogram on the reverse.

This timeless Edwardian diamond and pearl watch pendant necklace features a monogram on the reverse. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

14K gold. A dog tag never looked so fashionable.

14K gold. A dog tag never looked so fashionable. Courtesy: Alexis Kletjian

Popular jewelry styles: Flower power

Flowers have been a perennially popular subject for jewelry designers. Their wearable works of art have captured the fleeting beauty of a bud to a blossom in full bloom. Floral jewelry is now the rage in China, and that makes it a popular jewelry style for 2018. Petaled creations of all kinds are popping up from the runway to the dinner party – and everywhere in between. Here are examples of pieces that deserve a place in your bejeweled garden.

A faceted Tahitian cultured pearl nestles in the petals of a lotus blossom, symbolizing purity in heart and mind.

A faceted Tahitian cultured pearl nestles in the petals of a lotus blossom, symbolizing purity in heart and mind. Courtesy: Galatea

Carved rock crystal baskets holding diamond flowers with colored diamond centers and green tsavorite garnet “leaves” dangle gracefully from a platinum and diamond “rope.” These vintage pendant earrings, designed by Raymond C. Yard, feature 6.40 carats of diamonds and 0.59 carats of tsavorites with black onyx accents.

Why not give flowers that will never fade? Carved rock crystal baskets holding diamond flowers with colored diamond centers and green tsavorite garnet “leaves” dangle gracefully from a platinum and diamond “rope.” These vintage pendant earrings, designed by Raymond C. Yard, feature 6.40 carats of diamonds and 0.59 carats of tsavorites with black onyx accents. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

Flower or fireworks? Jewelry designer Alex Soldier interprets an aster blossom as a statement-making explosion with 11.50 carats of black and colorless diamonds against an 18K blackened white gold setting. Called the Diamond Astra, the 55 mm–diameter piece can be worn as a brooch, pendant, ring or cuff.

Flower or fireworks? Jewelry designer Alex Soldier interprets an aster blossom as a statement-making explosion with 11.50 carats of black and colorless diamonds against an 18K blackened white gold setting. Called the Diamond Astra, the 55 mm–diameter piece can be worn as a brooch, pendant, ring or cuff. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

Here is nature at its most delicate – four rotating flowers depicted in green, orange, yellow and pink sapphires adorn a white gold and diamond ring.

Here is nature at its most delicate – four rotating flowers depicted in green, orange, yellow and pink sapphires adorn a white gold and diamond ring. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com

Beloved in China, peonies represent spring, wealth, honor and feminine beauty. To evoke the flower’s many charms, this peony ring features a 41.23 carat tourmaline cabochon accented with 1.04 carats of colorless and pink diamonds and 4.65 carats of rubies and pink sapphires.

Beloved in China, peonies represent spring, wealth, honor and feminine beauty. To evoke the flower’s many charms, this peony ring features a 41.23 carat tourmaline cabochon accented with 1.04 carats of colorless and pink diamonds and 4.65 carats of rubies and pink sapphires. Courtesy: JewelleryTheatre

Now that you know the popular jewelry styles to shop for in 2018, take a look at these seven irresistible engagement ring trends guaranteed to impress.