As summer heats up, stylish women will be keeping their cool with sophisticated, playful jewelry with an accent on color.

The trend in jewelry this summer features delicate pastels – the kind you would find on a baby’s blanket: powder blue, soft turquoise, blush pink, mint green, and pale yellow. Translated into gemstones by gem and design experts at GIA, this means aquamarine, blue topaz, blue and pink sapphire, pink and green tourmaline, peridot, citrine, yellow sapphire, and chalcedony – and don’t forget about the classic pearl. For the ultimate in flattery to all complexion types, advises GIA, look for soft, luminescent gems in misty colors such as pearl, moonstone, chalcedony, rose and smoky quartz.

The pastel color palette made its appearance in watches about a year ago, where unexpectedly soft hues captured the attention of trendsetters worldwide. Spring fashion featured demure dresses and blouses of lace and sheer fabrics with delicate floral patterns, and this mood carries on into summer. Summer’s short shorts, sheer tee shirts, and layered tank tops will have the same feeling.

With all of these casual, warm-weather fashions, the must-have jewelry items are playful and full of movement. Consider a sun, moon, or star pendant in silver, gold, or dotted with gemstones, worn swinging from a long rope or leather cord. This season’s dangling earrings can reach nearly to the shoulders, and are often capped off with sparkling beads or briolettes (teardrop-shaped gems that are faceted or smooth).

The shapes of the jewelry, like the cut of the clothes, are classic yet modern for this summer. Favored motifs include hearts, circles and ovals, and the most popular new necklaces feature repeating patterns of geometric links. In pendants and earrings, look for designs within designs, such as a series of concentric circles or hearts within hearts. Rings have soft shapes too, with smooth, domed cabochons in oval and round shapes.

Another strong theme for summer relies on color to make its point. This look, more sophisticated than the baby pastels, is exotic, with Indian/African/Asian themes alive with vibrant patterns and colors. Necklaces and pendants are worn in multiples; earrings are bold and oversized; and a single cuff or multiple bangles cover the arms. 

Animal patterns, such as leopard, tiger, and zebra motifs, remain strong in clothing and accessories. Decorative designs such as paisleys, calligraphy, petals, and leaves add punctuation to summer dressing. Choose a large floral pin to wear in your hair or on a shoulder by day; switch to drop earrings dotted with sparkling gemstones by night.

Whether your summer jewelry selections include sparkling diamonds, alluring colored stones, or lustrous pearls, always deal with a reputable jeweler, like a GIA Graduate Gemologist (G.G.), Graduate Jeweler (G.J), or Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.). Their training is backed by the most respected gem and jewelry authority – GIA. A GIA Diamond Grading Report should accompany any significant diamond purchase.

For more information on gemstones and jewelry, as well as education opportunities, visit GIA at www.gia.edu or call 800-421-7250.