Antique Trillion Peridot and Diamond Ring

1.20 carats total weight Gemstones, with gorgeous deep color and clean clarity. Peridot: 1 piece, 1.00ct, Princess Cut, 6.00 mm. 4 pieces Sparkling Round Diamond total weight of 0.20 carats accent the ring. Approximate Retail price $399.99 Ring weighs 2.77 grams. Ring dimension is 1/4 x 5/8 and finger size 7 (resizable by a local jeweler). Ring is in 14 karat pure gold and has a beautiful design and finish. Detail

Created Blue Star Sapphire and Diamond Ring

This lovely ring features a created 6x6mm heart shaped blue star sapphire with diamond accents set in 10K white gold. Shank is 3mm at the top and tapers down to 1.5mm at the bottom. Detail

White Gold 6.9mm Italian Curb Link Bracelet

The Cuban is a strong, serious, handsome chain with a bent toward heroism. The white gold is a subtle, savvy alternative to yellow gold. Identical links are cut to create light-loving angles. The cuts imply a smoldering passion in an otherwise steady bracelet--the infinite potential of Clark Kent as he enters a phone booth. The Cuban chain promises to rescue small kittens out of trees, and a few scratches latter, enjoy a glass of Rose in the shade of that same tree. Detail

Yellow Gold Diamond Leaf Pendant

A gilded leaf sparkles with a row of diamonds in this beautiful pendant, emblematic of fall. Fashioned from textured 10 karat yellow gold, it has a realistic leaf shape, with 12 genuine diamonds (1/10 cttw) set into the gracefully curved stem. An 18-inch rope chain threads through the top of the diamond stem and fastens in back with a spring ring clasp. This is a unique and stunning accent for any season. It makes a fine gift for a nature lover. Detail

White Diamond Dragonfly Pendant

This darling dragonfly pendant is a beautiful addition to your collection. Crafted in 10 karat white gold, it has a curvy body set with eleven black diamonds, and pretty wings that sparkle with 16 white diamonds. There are 27 round diamonds altogether, for a total combined weight of 1/5 carat. An 18-inch rope chain threads directly through the top of the pendant and fastens in back with a spring ring clasp. Detail

Jewel Encrustation and Damask Weave Texture in Clothes

This is a very important season for contrasting texture effects in clothing.  Look out for encrusted jewel trimmings and also beautiful gold Damask weave decoration.

In the past decade texture in fashion has grown apace, ever since the underlying trend for eclectic ethnic started.  It brought appliqué and traditional folkloric elements into the design of the fabric and construction of our clothes.  This fascination for embellishment has led to a revived interest in opulent luxury fabrics.

For autumn 2007/Winter 2008 texture is one of the main stories. Two types of texture are most prominent:

1. Brocade Fabrics - traditional damask weaves and Venetian brocade patterns that will move toward tapestry fabric effects by summer 2008.

2. Fabric Encrustation - huge cabochon*, square glass and crystal jewels; you will also see beads, or sequins which all add depth and surface texture.

*Cabochon is a gemstone that is polished rather than cut.

Above left - Emma Somerset Autumn/Winter 2007 - Occasion Wear - Brocade puff sleeve coat £325 and shift dress £99 by Oky Coky. Printed bangle £28 by Emma Somerset.  OkyCoky is collection from the Spanish design duo Geli Torres and Sandro Portela.

Jumpsuits - All-in-Ones - Catsuits

Jumpsuits, also called all-in-ones, were a great fashion trend of the 1960s and the 1970s.  Now have truly been revived and since they are so practical they are sure to be a winner.  Preen's lovely parachute silk jumpsuits are not to be confused with the all-in-one 1980s shell suits of yesteryear.  Avoid any jumpsuits you see made of nylon rip-stop style parachute fabric, or you may well get a lot of déjà vu strange stares as people think - shell suit season!  Choose this look and the fabric with great care.

Catsuits, or all-in-ones can be as classily glitzy as the Debenhams creamy oyster evening wear jumpsuit far left, or as cool and collected as the black safari style everyday wear near right.

Hot Tip - On the up - Jumpsuits

Above left - Debenhams Womenswear Spring/Summer 2008 - Star by Julien Macdonald shimmer catsuit £60/€93, Mood gold bangles from £8. Above right - Debenhams Womenswear Spring/Summer 2008 - Star by Julien Macdonald satin safari jumpsuit £60/€93 and Debut gold lame scarf £10/€15.50. 

Top Fashion Trend Tip 2008 - Full Skirts

In particular skirt shapes have been refreshed again, so the volume trend seems new and lively.  Easy gathered dirndl skirts that swish and swing, or full skirts consisting solely of tiered ruffles are a newer way to adopt volume.  The waist can be a focus of interest if you have a waist to show.

Hot Tip - 2008 Must-have - Fuller skirts

This short Dirndl skirt and jacket shown left is from New Look Spring Summer 2008 fashion collection.  Note the easy carefree movement in the floral printed skirt. No fuss, easy to wear, but pretty yet practical for the uplift you will get with summer days. 

Above right - Debenhams Womenswear Spring/Summer 2008 - Red Herring white vest £6/€9.50, Betty Jackson.  Black circle skirt £50/€78, Mantarary tribal look necklace £12/€18.50 and chunky ring £6/€9.50. 

Full skirts are always popular with women since they enable free leg movement.  With time, whatever your age, the Summer of 08, is one you will probably recall as the summer of lightness and freedom in fashion trends.