Spring - Summer 2008 will soon dawn upon us. And with it, wardrobes will be revamped with a burst of new colours and freshest of fabrics. Well, this time round even your jewellery is being designed to suit the season. Jewellery designers across India are creating spring - summer lines with a whole host of hues, designs and motifs. And it’s semi-precious jewellery that is dominating the market, thanks to skyrocketing gold prices.
So, what is spring - summer line all about? First, it talks colours. From Prussian blues, aquamarines, pinks, yellows to browns - the palette comprises pastels and soothing neutrals. And to suit the season’s cheerful mood, jewellery designs, like clothes, are taking to the floral theme.

To begin with, what’s out? According to most jewellery designers, long earrings are out. Four-inch and three or four lined earrings are out. Some feel that long wrap-necklaces are on their way out too. Kolkata-based designer, Vasundhara Mantri, who retails out of ffolio at Bangalore, says, “Anything too long is out. Stringy neckpieces, long chandelier earrings are out. Even we designers are bored of making Victorian earrings! This season is all about small and a clean look with one dramatic piece. Internationally, big tops have replaced danglers. Wear a brooch or a big cocktail ring this season and sport delicate colours like rose quartz, pearls and amethysts instead of rubies and emeralds.”

Titled ‘Luxe Jewels’, Hyderabad-based designer Aruna Pathreekar has designed a spring- summer line using floral motifs and soothing semi-precious stones. “Jhumkas and drop earrings are a hot trend this season. So, people are moving back to the small and mid-length. I have created a whole line of jhumkas in modern designs. Summer colours have been used in the form of topaz, amethysts, tourmalines and turquoise. All are in silver with six-micron gold plating,” explains Aruna, whose new collection, comprising earrings, meenakari kadaas, bajubandhs and jadaau anklets, will be on exhibit at fflolio on V M Road from January 10 to 12. Aruna says that a jhumka is a must-have this season and believes that it’s a great buy because it suits all ages and body types.

Agrees Anand Bathija of Mumbai-based Curio Cottage who holds his exhibition regularly in the City. According to him, designs today are a classic amalgamation of both purist and trendy. “Jhumkas are versatile. Today, people are teaming them up even with jeans. Hoops have made a huge comeback. Floral and oriental themes are popular with a fresh colour story comprising pink, turquoise and dull gold. Green is on its way out. Personally, a must-have this season is big chunky finger rings. It stands out beautifully. You don’t even need to wear a bracelet or a neckpiece,” says Anand.

Big is beautiful this season. Idea should be to make a bold statement with one big accessory. “Go for a pair of bold earrings, a pendant or a chunky ring. It’s all about minimal yet bold. You will see a lot of drama with jewellery this spring - summer,” says Pallavi of the contemporary jewellery label, ‘Mumtaz and Pallavi’. The label is into handcrafted semi-precious jewellery and Pallavi reveals that at times these stones are more expensive than real gemstones.

Talking about the flourishing semi-precious jewellery market in India, she says, “There has been a complete makeover. People are sporting semi-precious jewellery at lunches, dinners and various dos. Not only are they cheaper than real jewellery, they are a lot more fun too. You can play with colours. A blue sapphire is heavy on the pocket and has superstitions attached. But with semi-precious stones, you pick up an affordable alternative like a blue topaz or an aquamarine.”

According to Anand, the demand for semi-precious jewellery has increased manifold across the world. He explains, “Ten years ago, only tourists would buy semi-precious jewellery. Indians wouldn’t even touch it. But today women across all ages are picking it up. Internationally too, people are buying this jewellery to match their outfits. Unlike one piece in every six months, people are picking up one per week. My entire business has changed with this trend. I get eight to ten new clients everyday.”

Indulgence is high. Accessorising is the key. Sparkle this spring - summer with some glittering jewellery.