With the right piece of jewelry or a signature watch, you can elevate an everyday look to something that turns heads no matter where you go. Here are some of the top trends we’re seeing in 2024 and advice on how to protect your growing jewelry collection.

Making Waves with Pearls and Aquatic Elements

Many of the jewelry trends we anticipate seeing in 2024 wouldn't look out of place in a sunken treasure chest. Known as “mermaidcore,” this style trend is all about embodying the splendor and mystique of ocean life with delicate and dreamlike details like pearls, shells, iridescent stones and similar materials.

Wear pearls as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and even anklets, but when you wear them, wear them boldly. Larger-than-life pearls, complex strands of mixed metals and encrusted accessories overshadow the delicate earrings and sedate single strands once favored by the elite.

Other aquatic themes are having their moment in the spotlight. Schiaparelli brought its signature flair to the Spring-Summer 2024 runway, pairing a luxe velvet top and draping silk skirt with a handmade lobster necklace in gilded ceramic.

Chuk Collins, meanwhile, paired the reemergence of chandelier earrings with interesting coral textures, combining the signature coral pink color with glittering silver and gold elements. Pearl necklaces and shell clutch bags also made an appearance.

There are many ways to incorporate mermaidcore-inspired jewelry into your everyday and special occasion looks. For a subtle under-the-sea feel, look for necklaces and earrings that can be layered with other pieces, like this realistic 14K gold or silver lobster claw pendant. If you’re aiming to fit in among King Triton’s daughters, layer pearl, gold, shell and crystal elements in a bohemian yet sophisticated look.

Mesmerize with Metallics

Do you remember when Zendaya's 2018 Met Gala look collectively broke the internet? The actress and style icon took "queen" to another level when she appeared at the event in a custom metallic Versace gown with chainmail-inspired details and neck and shoulder armor. If you adored Zendaya's Joan of Arc-inspired look, now's your chance to style yourself like a medieval maven.

Metallics were seen all over the 2024 runway, with styles ranging from Ralph Lauren’s form-fitting and Grecian-inspired gold lamé gown, paired simply with gold chandelier earrings, to Rabanee’s metallic-heavy pieces that drip with mixed-metal fringed chains, bold gauntlets and glimmering chainmail hoods.

In its examination of this ongoing trend, Elle Canada points out that metallics in fashion is nothing new. Where it was originally used by the Hollywood elite to capture their metaphorical star power into textiles that shone just as brightly as their popularity, today’s metallics have more options.

Today, pairing a simple body chain or multiple strands of silver and gold necklaces with soft outfits, such as your favorite maxi dress or skirt, can add a bit of edge to your normal look. For those looking to bring gorgets, pauldrons and other armor-inspired details, you can go Zendaya’s route and open the pages of a history book to find inspiration.

Taking Cues from the Ultra-Wealthy

Jewelry is the only luxury that never loses value, making it a valuable investment opportunity for high-net-worth individuals. While some of the price points associated with these trends can be out of reach for many of us, keeping track of high-value jewelry trends can ensure you're aware of emerging opportunities before they reach a wider audience.

According to our 2023 Gallagher Private Client State of the Market Report, the collectible luxury watch segment is expected to grow by 75% by 2030, fueled by interest among Millennials and Generation Z. Full of timeless appeal and sophistication, watches from renowned brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet continue to demand premium prices at auction and private sales.

While watches can diversify an investment portfolio, they might be more powerful as an expression of your style. Timepieces have a timeless appeal, making them a must-have accessory regardless of season. In 2024, we expect to see:

  • The return of the dress watch – Minimalist and sophisticated, the dress watches of yesteryear were designed to seamlessly slip under a suit jacket sleeve or other formal attire. Now, dress watches are making a return among fashion notables. Whether worn alone or stacked with matching bracelets or other accessories, a refined dress watch can elevate any outfit.
  • Unusual dials – Playful and colorful dials have been on the scene for years, and the trend is expected to remain popular in 2024. One eye-catching dial that’s turning heads actually uses no pigment at all. The Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400 uses an innovative laser technique to create an iridescent watch face that constantly changes color in the light.
  • Smaller watches – Is the oversized watch trend finally at an end? Gear Patrol opines that the watch industry has slowly returned to classically sized watches — closer to 33 or 34 millimeters compared to the behemoths commonly worn in the early 2010s. As notable brands release smaller watches — paired with the dress watch trend — we may see more vintage-inspired timepieces that don’t take up as much real estate on your wrist.

Insuring Your Collection

You might perceive your prized collection as "safe" once your watches, rings and other items are inside their velvet-lined case. The reality of your risk, however, paints a far different story.

What happens if your favorite heirloom necklace is destroyed in a house fire or your travel jewelry case is stolen while you travel? Without proper insurance coverage, you could lose these treasured items and the potential value they carry.

If you're a homeowner, your homeowners insurance will pay for jewelry repair or replacement after a covered event, such as a fire, flood or other natural disaster, according to Forbes Advisor. But you might find that the limit imposed by your policy — with standard policy limits offering coverage up to $1,500 for theft of jewelry, watches and more — isn't suitable. It is possible to increase that limit, but depending on the size and value of your collection, the amount available under your homeowners insurance might not be enough.

However, securing a stand-alone jewelry insurance policy can offer additional benefits aside from a larger coverage amount. These policies also cover specific jewelry-related issues such as theft, accidental loss — even if it's part of a set, like a single diamond earring — and mysterious disappearance, a valuable inclusion if you've ever experienced losing a stone from your engagement ring.

Building a jewelry collection you can be proud of takes time, effort and — most significantly — money. Protect your investment by working with your trusted insurance advisor to insure your collection so you can enjoy your items for years.