By Shaniqua King

Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend.  Jewelry has played a huge role in our lives. From the classic Tiffany pieces worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to the glittering diamond and ruby Fred necklace that Julia Roberts was gifted in Pretty Woman, there is something about adding a piece of jewelry to our outfits that makes it fun, new and interesting. So why not add some new precious jewels into your summer wardrobe?

In observing the spring/summer 2012 collections, I’ve seen a couple of emerging jewelry trends that would be suitable for any modern day woman.

Statement Earrings: For many seasons earrings were very minimal or nonexistent on the runways. Fast forward to spring/summer 2012 and statement earring have returned. The Italian designer Consuelo Castiglioni, (founder and designer of the fashion house Marni) sported large circular statement earrings in vibrant color such as blues, oranges and greens. These also accompanied her quirky and fun designs in her spring/summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection. The infamous fashion house Prada was also spotted using this trend in their 1950’s inspired spring/summer collection featuring pleated dresses, bandeau tops and heavily jeweled earrings. If you’re wondering how to incorporate this trend into look without overwhelming your outfit, first start playing with simple pieces like a T-shirt and jeans or a two piece suit at the office. These are very plain but perfect canvases to add some visual interest without having to worry about going overboard.

Layered Necklaces: Layering different sized necklaces have been a hot trend for the past few seasons. However, after reviewing some the spring/summer 2012 collections I’ve been seeing a new trend emerge. Longer multi-layered statement necklaces have been popping up everywhere from Chanel, Oscar de la Renta and Ralph Lauren. Layering necklaces is easy way to add some flare and a pop of color to your wardrobe. To achieve this look start by layering necklaces that are similar in appearance like this Oscar De La Renta number.