JEWELRY DESIGN 2001: A multi-faceted story.

Diamond jewelry design in the early 21st century will not be known for any single design element or technique. Instead it is characterized by a rich symphony of trends and influences.

From contemporary to classic, from gold sprinkled with diamonds, to pieces that are nothing but diamonds, jewelry design today is a symphony of sounds, with every designer playing a different melody. No longer is everything just pave, or just bezel set, or just prong set. Today, all these techniques along with faceted diamond beads, newlycut briolettes, diamonds on delicate chains, colored diamonds, bold diamonds and delicate diamonds comprise diamond design in the year 2001.

Lariats

The great fluidity of designs is expressed in a variety of themes, many of them built on the idea of a lariat, a chain that loops around the neck and then slips through an open element. The lariat has been around for a while and looks set to becoming a staple of the industry rather than a passing trend. One reason for this is the easy way it adapts to different necklines, absolutely crucial to the success of a necklace. Like a strand of pearls, it can complement almost any outfit, casual to dressy. As a result of its popularity, designers have been inspired to create a multiplicity of designs stretching from the minimal to the magnificent.

The magnificent includes the hand-woven gold designs of Yuri Ichihashi, four-time winner of the Couture Jewelry Collection "Best Design in Gold" Award. This is an award that she richly deserves for Ichihashi is an original. …