MANLY EXPRESSION

MANLY

EXPRESSION

Early man used shells and beads to create jewelry for self adornment. Anthropologists say this urge to adorn wasn’t a necessity of life, but a way of expressing kinship, status, age, and other personality characteristics. While jewelry today is made from more precious materials than those in the Stone Age, it is worn for similar reasons, and increasingly by men. In the past decade alone, the array of jewelry available to men has dramatically expanded beyond cufflinks and watches.

As more men wear jewelry, they develop wardrobes consisting of pieces that can be worn when they want to look polished and professional (cufflinks, for instance), casual and chic (a dog tag pendant or bracelet), for spiritual or sentimental reasons (a cross, Star of David, or initial signet ring).

While many young men’s first experience with jewelry involves wearing colorful silicone bracelets, they soon graduate to more durable and precious materials, and what an array there is to choose from: 18k gold, sterling silver, titanium, cobalt, stainless steel, high-tech ceramic, rubber, carbon fiber and enamel. Precious gems such as diamonds and other stones have become just as popular with men as they have with women. Black diamonds, black sapphires, cognac diamonds and other colored diamonds are now an accepted and popular staple in men’s jewelry. But also look for more varied and interesting colored gemstones and minerals, including fossils.

Jewelry makes an ideal gift for a man and has a significance that just can’t be accomplished with a necktie — and there’s no need to worry about waist size or cuff lengths, when selecting bracelets or pendants. One of the most popular styles for fall is bead bracelets, which can be worn singly or stacked with other bracelets.

Cross pendant by David Yurman.

Gents 10k Yellow Gold 2.25 Carat tw Diamond Cross. Chain sold separately.

JEWELRY MAKES AN IDEAL GIFT FOR A MAN AND HAS A SIGNIFICANCE THAT JUST CAN’T BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH A NECKTIE.

14k Rose Gold Gordian Rome Cufflinks.

10k Yellow Gold Round Signet Ring.

Top to bottom: John Hardy Black Rubber Bracelet. John Hardy Men’s Silver Classic Chain 8MM Tiga Bracelet.

John Hardy 11MM Blackened Silver Classic Chain Black Sapphire Bracelet.

MOVADO.COM CLASSIC MESH

® MUSEUM

William Henry Moonlight bracelet, JCK’s 2019 Jeweler’s Choice Award winner for the over $1,000 category, part of the Embrace collection, with labradorite beads and a 18k rose gold-encased South Sea pearl, with 18k rose gold clasp. William Henry Morpheus Galway Pocket Knife

Gents 10k Yellow Gold 5.61 Carat tw Diamond Miami Cuban 8.5” Bracelet. Ashley Lauren Collection Gents Sterling Silver and 18k Rose Gold Fossil Purple Dino Bone Ring.

THE FOLLOWING LIST OF TRENDS AND OPTIONS IN MEN’S JEWELRY SHOULD GIVE YOU SOME IDEAS FOR BUILDING YOUR ACCESSORIES WARDROBE:

• Blackened metals, including oxidized sterling silver, ruthenium silver, black rhodium-plated gold, black titanium and black PVD plating.

• Pavé-set black diamonds, black sapphire or cognac or brown diamonds details on all categories of men’s jewelry.

• Exotic stone beaded bracelets, often with spiritual, religious or symbolic medallions or charms.

• Burnished, distressed and other matte finishes on most metals or combined with high polish for a dramatic contrast.

• Leathers, from woven to wrapped looks, make a masculine and comfortable statement, especially in bracelets.

• Rubber or silicone continues to be a stylish yet sporty, all-season material that is perfect for active lifestyles.

• Inspired by timepieces: rose gold colored cufflinks, rings and pendants.

• Emergence of Western spiritual symbols as design motifs, in addition to the already popular symbols from Eastern philosophies.

• Updated dog tags remain an important look in pendants. Look for more cylindrical, bullet-like shaped pendants. • Ancient Japanese inspired mokume patterns in mixed metals, with swirling surface designs, especially on rings, money clips, pens and knives.

• Inlays of precious opaque and exotic stones in traditional malachite, lapis lazuli, tiger’s eye, falcon’s eye, as well as unusual varieties such as agates, jaspers, pietersite, fossilized ivory, mammoth and corals.

• Nautical or yachting inspired motifs and textures on chains, links and decorative pieces: sailor’s knots, anchors, compass points, North star, mariner links.

• Collectible and limited-edition pens and knives: examples of “the true combination of functional art and jewelry,” says Matt Conable, founder and designer of William Henry Studio.

• Decorative golf-inspired designs, from cufflinks to fairway divot tools.

• For formal and special social occasions, a dress set, comprised of studs that coordinate — not matched exactly — with your cufflinks.

• Customized or engravable jewelry: from classic signet rings and cufflinks to biker jewelry. Look for places on jewelry where you can add hidden or covert names, messages and symbols.