Design Art and Photography

Horgen, Switzerland—Signity, a subsidiary of Swarovski, will unveil its GemVisions 2008 trend research at a special press presentation on Sept. 27, during the Hong Kong Jewellery and Watch Fair.

The presentation, to be held in the Bauhinia room of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from 3:00 p.m.-4.30 p.m., will be led by Dr. Birgit Rieder, head of the gem creative, synthetic and gemstone business of Swarovski.

GemVisions identifies four major design directions each year by examining colors, themes and styles, as well as important social and cultural trends influencing consumer attitudes for the next few seasons.

According to GemVisions’ experts, next year’s design trends will celebrate the true essence of jewelry. Gems and jewels will reach back to their origins in nature as powerful charms and status symbols. The four major design themes identified for 2008 by GemVisions research include:

Origems: Inspired by the earth, the sculptural look of land art and the structures, textures, colors and random curiosities of the natural world, this trend celebrates gems as powerful charms, with energy and health-giving properties.

Bluematrix: Influenced by sharp, contemporary architecture, this trend highlights chain as the integral part of design, creativity in watches and unisex, androgynous or male jewelry.

Mysticglam: Like an epic romance novel immersed in medieval imagery, this trend incorporates huge, imposing jewels, jeweled objects and masterpieces that are heavily decorated. Color schemes are dark and intense, and craftsmanship is key, especially engraving and chasing.

Modern Romanticism: Influenced by computer technology, this trend has a sense of high-tech and high-fashion, as well as a childlike, emotional quality. Collections of jewels are fanciful and playful, with unusual applications of tiny stones or abundant clusters of gems.

For 2008, Signity created innovative gem products to coincide with the research findings, which will help jewelry retailers, manufacturers and designers capitalize on the forecasted trends.