Since the moment our ancestors pieced together some shells and placed it around their necks, jewellery has always been with us. Over the years, it has morphed from trend to trend, growing in tandem with specific cultures and people. Today, the market amounts to an industry worth 249 billion USD, with every continent boasting a different range of styles and trends.
Relative to population, the US and UK share a significant amount of this market – the UK’s projected value in 2022 is £3.3 billion, whilst the US’s value sits at $55.5 billion – and both have a significant say in viral design and fashion. While there are many similarities between the US and UK, however, it’s easy to see a few differences, especially when it comes to 2022 trends. With this in mind, here’s a quick look at how the markets differ and where they might be going in 2023:
Layering In The US
In the US, one of the breakout 2022 jewellery trends was undoubtedly the art of layering. This is essentially the result of layering an excessive amount of jewellery on your wrist, ears or neckline with an eclectic mix of colours – whatever curates a unique and individual look. Stack bracelets, layer necklaces, pendants and chains are all combined in this trend, with no right or wrong way to style them. While less is normally more, in the US this year, more is more.
Minimalism In The UK
The UK has always had a rather minimalist approach to jewellery and, in 2022, this has been no different. The minimalist approach often involves demi-fine jewellery such as chain necklaces, single hoop earrings and thin, strand-like rings. Due to the rise in popularity for jewellery brand Otiumberg – who sell refined, sustainable jewellery pieces – this trend has become even more prominent in 2022, with consumers investing in the brand to radiate a sense of style and luxury.
Religion In The US
About three in four Americans say that they identify with religious faith, so it’s no surprise that religious jewellery continued its popularity this year. The Jewish population, specifically, is continuing to grow in various parts of the country – amounting to nearly 2.5% in 2020– and this has seen a rise of interest in symbols such as hamsa, the star of David and the tree of life, all of which can be found on nadavart Judaica.
Emotion In The UK
While religious jewellery is also common in the UK, emotional jewellery seems to have taken a bit of a leap this year. With trends such as memory lockets and spiritual bracelets both rising to the forefront in the summer – as well as brands such as Pandora continuing to tap into the market with a range of personalised bracelets – this trend doesn’t look set to stop any time soon.
The Future Of The US And The UK
While it is hard to guess any new trends before they come along, it’s clear that none of these particular styles are going to be fading in the near future. They also tell us a very important thing – especially when considering the differences and similarities between both the US and the UK – that no matter how expensive, inexpensive, spiritual or non-spiritual a piece of jewellery happens to be – if it feels good, it looks good.
