b'5 LAYERING (AKAFoundraes Mind, THE #NECKMESS)Hey, remember when hashtags searching for any way toBody, Soul mixed-clip were a thing?protect themselves, andstory necklace in We do, and we also remember whentalismansin the form of18-karat yellow gold with five medallions the #neckmess had us in a stranglehold. charms, pendants, andincluding a 0.80-carat Credited to designer Jessica Kaganmedallionsincludedruby, a 2.10-carat opal, and diamonds totaling Cushman circa 2016, the slang term- amid the neck mess0.34 carats ($34,000)turned-hashtag referred to the trendhelped pacify their fears. of layering on as many necklaces asIt makes you go out humanly possible.into the world holding your Layering necklaces continued to behead up high. Its something a macro trend into 2020 and throughthat protects you, says Neyman, who points to the evil eye as an example 2022 as they were the style that wasof a symbol that is believed to guard its wearer from negative energy. most visible on Zoom. We all wanted something to put on our bodies that can bring us Rings might not have been as popular because everybody wasinner peace and that would protect us as we ventured into this world wearing gloves and working from home; you couldnt see what wasthat was a little bit unknown. happening by the keyboard, Neyman explains. Foundrae was (and still is) a brand to look to, as designer Beth The neck mess had people highlighting their dcolletage with goldHutchens, who launched her company in 2015 and won the Gem Award chain link necklaces of all different widths and a collection of pendants.for Jewelry Design in 2025, focuses on charms and sentimental jewelry It allowed for a bold statement to be made while being dressedthat her clients can create their own stories with, says Molofsky. down, as everyone was working from home.Gizzi describes the necklace layering trend as the charm bracelets With the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, people also wereof the decade. THE CURATED EAR STORYHaving multi- the designer, and they want the retail experience ple ear piercingsthat comes along with buying jewelry, but they isnt new but, likewant the piercing to be done there too, Gizzi says.tattoos, theyveBrands like Maria Tashan O.G. in the become more mainstreampiercing world having opened in 1993and later in the last decade.Studs (founded 2019), married the combination of The idea of crafting a story aroundprofessional piercings and fine jewelry as their stores the fine jewelry one wears on their earspierced clients with their pieces. really began picking up steam in 2018.They also brought more comfortable flat backs to The popularity of the ear storystuds since the wearer has to keep the jewelry in until reached new heights during the pan- the piercing heals. demic because again, earrings were visible and framed ones faceThe trend is similar to the neck mess, as consum-when they were on camera.ers are curating a story through their jewelry. But it is Rather than wearing one style of graduating hoops or studs allmore permanent as it involves numerous ear pierc-the way up the ear, which was prominent in the 90s, consumers areings, and it is good practice to only get two to three opting to curate a combination of different styles that portray theirpiercings at once, since it will take some time for the personality.ear to heal before the jewelry can be changed.Hoops, huggies, chains, studs, and diamond and gemstone earringsEar cuffs are the alternative for consumers who are all options when putting together an ear story.dont want new ear piercings, says Neyman. Numerous Anita Ko brought her designs to the trend, with classic diamond jew- ear cuffs can be stacked together or included along-elry that could play into storytelling, and when it came to stud motifs,Anita Kos ear cuff inside existing piercings. McNaughton highlights serpents as a frequent choice of consumers.18-karat yellow goldMcNaughton says the ear story trend is something All of a sudden you have new piercing stores opening up, whereaswith a drop of threethat will continue to emerge as people look for different pear-cut and three before, people would go anywhere to get pierced. Now they wantround-cut diamondsways to adorn themselves. ($4,450)NATIONAL JEWELER 65'