So, 2018 was a huge year for jewelry. We finally started seeing the return of heritage pieces like tennis bracelets, herringbone chains, and charm bracelets, which felt like a nice break from the exclusively minimalist world we were living in for just a tad too long. The next style to buck that trend is turquoise jewelry, which has made a triumphant return to the spotlight. Somewhat surprisingly, both the fall and spring collections of jewelry designers from all over the map contained some variation of the stone or color.
In order to get some more information on the return of this old-school jewelry trend, I reached out to a handful of jewelry designers for their takes. A majority of the quotes are peppered throughout the shopping roundup below, but there was one from well-known jewelry designer Anna Sheffield that stood out from the rest, providing a well-rounded view of turquoise as a jewelry trend in 2018.
"Turquoise, though timeless with its glamour, reaching from ancient Egypt to the American West, has its moments in every day and moments in vogue. I think currently, this beautiful blue gem is having a moment in the spotlight," says Sheffield. "I love to see it done in a new way, especially having grown up in the Southwest. So in my collection, I show it two ways: Reinvented and reprised, taking vintage pieces like these Sunburst earrings and adding a dash of gold and champagne diamonds for extra flair, and modernized, in a simple setting, like a classic three-stone ring, and instead of treating the turquoise like a semiprecious stone, it's handled in the same way as a fancy diamond."
Below, you'll find a curation of the turquoise jewelry trend that is diverse enough in taste to suit everyone's personal style. Along the way, don't forget to check up on some of the biggest jewelry designers in the industry's take on the return of this trend.
"In my book, turquoise is a classic. While it's often associated with a Southwestern aesthetic, paired with silver, there are so many different ways to work with and wear the stone. It's the most beautiful hue, and when used in earrings, it tends to illuminate the entire face. I love it set in yellow gold with diamonds; it really pops and feels modern but a bit heirloom-like at once." — Colette Steckel, Colette
"After having my girls and realizing how much I wanted to protect them and keep them safe, I searched for ways to do that, even in the jewelry I created. Besides being beautiful, turquoise historically is believed to be a powerful stone that brings protection and luck. That is why we feature a lot of turquoise in our Baby Gold pieces. I think as a woman raising kids in such unsettling times, we all can use a little extra luck and protection." — Helen Ashikian, Baby Gold
"Turquoise has had a presence in my designs for years now, so I love seeing it everywhere these days. We are firm believers that turquoise is a year-round stone, not just something to wear during the spring and summer months. After all, it is one of the birthstones for the month of December! Turquoise offers the perfect pop of color against yellow gold, and I like to pair bezel-set turquoise stones with prong-set white diamonds. My signature mix of stones and settings keeps it modern and fresh and infuses a bit of playfulness at the same time." — Zoë Chicco
"Turquoise was one of the first stones we used in the collection. It is absolutely one of my favorite stones, and you will see it represented in virtually every element of the collection. The All Inlay Series pieces in all turquoise have been incredibly popular, but our Total Baguette Baby in Turquoise has been a best seller since it was introduced three years ago at our stores and online." — Marla Aaron
"Turquoise is so much more than a trend. It's one of the most alluring and powerful gemstones Mother Earth has to offer. It heals you wherever you need it most and makes every season feel like summer. It's sunshine in a stone." — Jacquie Aiche
