In This Episode

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss Signet's acquisition of Blue Nile, what it means for the brand and how they might evolve as a result. Victoria reports on her research into fall's biggest fashion trends, which include animal motifs and a resurgence of the power-dressing era of the 80s and 90s.

Show Notes

03:00 Signet is acquiring Blue Nile

12:00 Victoria reports on the latest in fall fashion

19:00 80s and 90s jewelry styles are on trend

Episode Credits

Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky

Producer and engineer: Natalie Chomet

Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine

Show Recap

Signet to Acquire Blue Nile

Big news in the dog days of August: Signet is acquiring Blue Nile. This is part of Signet's pattern: they keep acquiring the competition. One of the things current management is focused on is growing market shares. And this is the easiest way to accomplish that. However, there are high customer acquisition costs that have to be paid to Google and Facebook. Google, Facebook and other companies like them have gotten so large, it places a burden on other competition because of the high expensive to advertise online. Rob sees this as a troubling sign on a higher level.

The deal will likely contribute to the long-term sustainability of Blue Nile's brand. But people worry how many businesses are all consolidated under one large umbrella. Victoria wonders how Blue Nile might evolve under Signet. It's not clear where the brand will fit among the other jewelry brands under Signet now.

Victoria recalls the interesting things that Blue Nile has done in recent years: Their 10 by 10 collaboration with De Beers and designers of color, for example. They want to be a brand that speaks to people, not "the Amazon of jewelry."

Themes in Fall Fashion

Victoria has been doing research into the latest fall fashion trends and reporting on them in the JCK Special Report newsletters. Here are a few themes she's been noticing, to help inform what jewelers may want to stock. A surprising but endearing trend gaining steam is animal-inspired jewelry. Though this has been going on for thousands of years, there are times when the motif gains steam. Victoria spoke to an expert on this category: Marion Fasel, jewelry historian and founder and editorial director of The Adventurine. She worked on the Beautiful Creatures exhibit at The American Museum of Natural History. The two animals that come up over and over again, according to Fasel? Snakes and butterflies.

Snakes have a beautiful shape that lend themselves to jewelry, which can symbolize wisdom and eternal love. The butterfly has emerged in many jewelry collections this year. Symbolizing rebirth and transformation, it's particularly resonant to people right now as we begin to emerge from the pandemic. Victoria describes some collections she's seen that feature interesting creatures as pendants. In the vintage space, sales of animal-inspired pieces are soaring, as well. The zodiac trend also contributes to the popularity of the animal theme, since many of the symbols of the zodiac are animals as well.

80s Jewelry Makes a Comeback

Though it might be surprising, jewelry from as recent as the 90s can now technically be considered vintage. And, according to many estate jewelers, the 80s and 90s aesthetic of jewelry is coming back. Part of the reason is because these pieces are coming into the market. But, it's more than that. Victoria explains "the golden 40-year rule." A wave of nostalgia comes over the creators of pop culture and fashion of their childhood as they age. As a result, certain eras of fashion make a comeback after a certain amount of time has passed.

Something about the 80s and 90s look is taking hold: Power-dressing, strong female characters, big glamorous bold jewels. That vibe is coming back. Though it might be out of step with the economy, the trend still exists within our current environment. How does it translate to jewelry? Big chains (think: Madonna's pile-on phase), large dramatic hoops, and other big, bold styles. The bold gold look. Even for generations who don't remember the 80s, they are part of our general pop culture, so Gen Z may be drawn to these looks as well. The thing about jewelry trends is they always come back.

Other motifs and trends that are coming into their own are turquoise, evil eye, and other protective symbols. A single "wow" piece may start to take the place of dainty layers. When the economy starts to make things go up in price, mixed metals tend to gain more popularity, too. There's a fascinating mix of cool jewelry out there right now, and Victoria hopes people will take advantage of it.