GSI SPECIAL HOLIDAY SEASON BLOG
The holiday season is a season to express love, and what is a better way to express love than a piece of jewelry. Every jewelry lover knows that jewelry is more than just metal and stone. Whether it is a ring to pop the question, a moment to celebrate your own victories, or a pendant with memories attached to it, jewelry is a story, it is something to cherish forever.
The holiday season is not just to express love through jewelry but is also a day to dress up and wear your favorite bling. The day is about sharing stories and experiences and finding ways to appreciate the little things! The one thing all jewelry lovers have in common is keeping track of what’s going on with their favorite jewelry trends, even through all this change. This holiday season, we asked our employees in global offices about the jewelry trends they were most excited about, their favorite jewelry for the holiday season, and an unforgettable story associated with a piece of jewelry they own.
Scroll through to find out their exciting responses!
Alethea Inns – CLO, GSI NY
What jewelry trends are you most excited about?
I’m glad yellow gold is back. I love its warmth and that “something extra” it adds to jewelry. I’m also excited about vintage styles. They bring an extra element of sparkle and remind us of another time.
What is your favorite kind of jewelry for the holiday season?
Fancy shape diamonds! I love the versatility of fancy shapes. From the elegance of the emerald cut to the flashiness of the princess, there’s a fancy shape diamond for everyone. Jewelry designers are incorporating fancy shape diamonds into jewelry to create some interesting designs that can be customized for a personal touch. Small or large, a fancy shape diamond can add a little sparkle to any occasion.
Do you have a beautiful story you associate a particular piece of your jewelry with?
My grandmother’s ring from the 1930s. The single-cut diamonds are chipped because she worked with her hands supporting her family. People ask me if I’ll get the diamonds repaired or replaced, but I can’t bear to. They remind me of the importance of hard work and selflessness.
Maria Mrozek – Senior Gemologist, GSI NY
What jewelry trends are you most excited about?
Laboratory-grown diamonds or gemstones give the consumer the option to purchase a quality piece of jewelry at a lower price point.
What is your favorite kind of jewelry for the holiday season?
I like the simplicity of white gold bracelets with natural stones (rather than one type).
Do you have a beautiful story you associate a particular piece of your jewelry with?
When the time came, I had an idea of what I wanted for an engagement ring. However, my future fiancé surprised me… a lot. Instead of the traditional solitaire ring with the large diamond, he presented me with an antique ring with small stones. In fact, to this day, I do not know how and where he got it (and it’s been almost 30 years!). The second time I “relived” this moment was a few years later, when in one of the episodes of “Friends”, when the character Chandler was looking for a ring for the Monica character, and he found something similar and decided that “this” will best symbolize his feelings. It was so familiar I had to ask – did someone steal my story???
Raphael Ho Kwok Hei – GSI Hong Kong
What jewelry trends are you most excited about?
I am excited about pendant earrings; they are simple but exquisite and perfect for gifting.
What is your favorite kind of jewelry for the holiday season?
Any jewelry studded with alexandrite gem is my favorite because if it’s color change phenomenon. Alexandrite looks impressive as jewelry.
Do you have a beautiful story you associate a particular piece of your jewelry with?
I had gifted my wife a star ruby ring on our first anniversary. It is the first jewelry I bought for my wife, and it holds many memories and beautiful stories of our bond.
Shivraj Wagh – GSI Dubai
What jewelry trends are you most excited about?
I am excited about the latest trends in white gold jewelry. Metals like white gold for men’s jewelry like bracelets and chains look amazing as they add a different look to the jewelry.
What is your favorite kind of jewelry for the holiday season?
I love minimalistic jewelry – small designs with subtle designs are something I prefer. I also love stylish watches studded with diamonds that add value to them. Watches are a great gift that can be worn all year long.
Do you have a beautiful story you associate a particular piece of your jewelry with?
My diamond-studded wedding band is precious for me as it was customized and had a “couple” theme. I love how every piece of jewelry is connected to some of the best moments in life.
Bina Vaity, Global Coordination, GSI Pan Asia
What jewelry trends are you most excited about?
2021 has actually been both slow and fast for everyone. I have always kept my eyes on jewelry trends across the globe, even when we were in lockdown from quarantine. I think stacked rings have made their place. Stacked rings are fun, creative, casual, and look impressive. You can create the look you love by assorting and layering it with different diamond rings.
What is your favorite kind of jewelry for the holiday season?
For me, the holiday season is all about spending time with my loved ones. I love expressing myself through jewelry. I love diamond cocktail rings, especially if it is a combination of white and colored diamonds. Cocktail rings often become a talking point at parties and gatherings and even a great thing to fidget with when you want to sit alone by yourself and escape the crowd! My holiday season jewelry was a really beautiful cocktail ring!
Do you have a beautiful story you associate a particular piece of your jewelry with?
Like the country I grew up in, my family is also blended with different cultures and religions. So, my family jewelry is actually a treasure hunt for all of us… so many different styles, and each piece has a fascinating story. My favorite jewelry is a ring that my mom passed on to me as a family heirloom. The ring belonged to my ancestors and was given as a symbol of love during their marriage and the ring has been used by many generations as a gesture of love and a way to welcome someone to our family. It is so romantic and the meaning behind it makes it the best vintage jewelry one can have.
Aarya Kadam – Jewelry Department Head, GSI India
What jewelry trends are you most excited about?
Birthdays, holidays, and any other special occasion are all about shopping, dressing up, and the love we share with friends and family. There are so many fresh trends and many comebacks. All styles are so exciting and great to look forward to. I love link bracelets and hoop earrings because they go well with every outfit.
What is your favorite kind of jewelry for the holiday season?
I love necklaces that spice up the neckline. It can either be abstract or irregular necklaces or chokers. Though chokers are mostly a part of the fall jewelry collection, I believe it is something we can wear all year round, and it goes well with various dress types (if you pair it right!). My holiday season outfit was a beautiful dress, perfectly paired with a unique choker!
Do you have a beautiful story you associate a particular piece of your jewelry with?
In India, Jewelry is an important part of our daily lives. Whether it is a birthday, an engagement, a casual party, or a spiritual gathering, we express through jewelry, and each piece of jewelry has its own story. When I was 18, I admired some rose-shaped earrings made of gold. They looked so elegant that they immediately caught my attention. Gold to a teenager? It was a big NO from my parent’s side. However, I saved parts of my pocket money, found alternative traveling methods, participated in contests, and saved up the cash I got as gifts in family gatherings. After a year and a half, I was ready to own that beautiful piece! When I finally saved up, the earrings were out of stock, but the jeweler was kind enough to recreate them for me.
Alla Carciente – Branch Manger, GSI Israel
What jewelry trends are you most excited about?
This winter, I have been eyeing jewelry trends that can work for any occasion—a piece of everyday jewelry, that’s completely versatile. A small but mighty outfit-amplifier, a sparkly tennis bracelet or tennis necklace, or a pearl necklace can turn any outfit from everyday to statement-making. And with so many buzzworthy jewelry trends on the rise this season, there’s no shortage of options to choose from.
What is your favorite kind of jewelry for the holiday season?
For me, jewels are a true obsession. I love to accessorize every outfit with golden earrings, diamond bracelets, necklaces, golden chain bangles, rings. I like to mix and match so that my jewelry does not get repetitive, and I can always stay trendy and stylish.
Do you have a beautiful story you associate a particular piece of your jewelry with?
My husband gifted me a golden chain with a diamond pendant. I wear it almost every day has a very special place in my heart.
Let us know your jewelry story in the comments section!
