Spotting jewelry trends this Christmas - The Daily News of Newburyport
When thinking about gifts for that special woman, it’s hard to go wrong with a great piece of jewelry. This region is fortunate to have an abundance of stores stocking items that can meet most tastes and pocketbooks, with prices ranging from $20 to tens of thousands.
Market Square Jewelers specializes in estate and vintage jewelry, a plus for environmentally conscious Newburyporters, according to store manager Shannon Carroll. A lot of the store’s customers enjoy the idea of not using up the additional resources needed to create something new, Carroll said. Instead, they’ll purchase a piece with the warmth and look of history.
“Estate jewelry is previously owned,” Carroll said. “Vintage and antique jewelry has to have a certain age to it, maybe 40 years or so.”
Carroll has noticed some trends of late. Gold signet rings are selling well, she said, as are yellow and rose gold.
“The popularity of white metals from the ’90s and 2000s is giving way,” Carroll said. “I’m noticing people are moving toward metals that will be more flattering to their skin tone, and often that’s (yellow) gold and rose gold. Vintage rose gold has a more subtle pink color to it than new rose gold.”
In stones, Carroll said, sapphires are in vogue.
“I’d say one out of every three engagement rings we’re selling is a sapphire lately,” said Carroll, who attributes the move to those looking for something other than the conventional white diamond engagement ring.
Colored stones are often overlooked by many in favor of diamonds, she said, but like sapphires, emeralds and rubies in vintage sets are finding a market for those who are looking for something special.
The trend toward deep blue sapphires was echoed by two other State Street jewelers, Matt Khatib of M.K. Benatti and Kaya’s Erdem Kaya.
“Sapphires are big,” Kaya said. “All colors of sapphires — pinks, greens, yellows, and blue. We have a rainbow sapphire tennis bracelet with all the colors.”
“Another trend in colored gems is to the light-pink Morganite,” Khatib said, and richly colored purple amethysts are strong sellers, too.
The winter holiday shopping season is big for the jewelry industry across the board, Khatib said.
“Christmas represents about 30 percent of jewelry industry sales as a whole,” he said. “Valentine’s Day is about 12 percent industry-wide. Mother’s Day about 10 percent.”
At the three stores, people were already shopping for the holiday, some looking for custom pieces that all three jewelers offer, in their own distinct styles.
At Benatti, Khatib is stocking up on tennis bracelets, he said, and diamond engagement rings, as well as diamond pendants.
Kaya sees right-hand diamond rings growing in popularity, especially those with unique looks.
“I don’t think my customers really follow trends,” Kaya said. “These days they buy what they like. We get people who want something different, and I do a lot of special designs.”
The three jewelers had advice to those looking for a jewelry purchase that’s sure to bring pleasure every time.
“Oh, a set of diamond studs,” Carroll said.
“You can’t go wrong with diamond studs,” Kaya said. “Absolutely.”
“Diamond studs, that’s a no-brainer,” Khatib said, laughing. “Every woman has to have them, if she doesn’t have an engagement ring yet.”
When looking for a gift for a man, watches, particularly Rolexes, are a perennial favorite during the holiday season, according to Zemanian Jewelers owner Aram Zemanian.
“Every man dreams to own a Rolex,” Zemanian said. “That is definitely the top. But there are a lot of nice watches.”
Zemanian sells new and pre-owned Rolex watches out of his Amesbury shop and he believes they are an excellent gift.
“Rolex will not lose its value,” Zemanian said. “It is like a car. If you maintain it, it will hold its value.”
Cuff links have also become a hot ticket item for men’s gifts, according to Zemanian.
“Those have become popular over the last five or eight years,” Zemanian said. “Men are starting to wear suits again.”
Gold chains are also in demand at Zemanian Jewelers, “especially with the young guys,” Zemanian said. “They want to own a gold chain.”
With more than 20 years’ experience in his Main Street jewelry business, Starbird Jewelers co-owner Peter Starbird said that the price point is key in Amesbury.
“With gold being up over $1,000, most of the men’s gifts are running $600 and up,” Starbird said. “If you want to get a decent men’s chain, you are spending $1,500 to $2,000. Most people don’t want to spend that kind of money today. I’ve had more calls for silver chains. Silver, stainless steel, I have been seeing for the men. There are also stainless, titanium, tungsten rings.”
Angeljean Chiaramida covers Seabrook and Salisbury for The Daily News. She can be reached at 978-961-3147 or at achiaramida@newburyportnews.com. Jim Sullivan covers Amesbury for The Daily News. He can be reached by phone at 978-961-3145, via email at jsullivan@newburyportnews.com or follow him on Twitter @ndnsully.
