Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
EditorsOct 13, 2021
Alison Lou’s New Collection Is So Gen Z Appropriate
“Groovy” finds inspiration in the 1960s and ‘70s, but it’s equally of the moment.
You’ve probably seen large, amorphous cocktail rings made from resin and plastic all over Instagram. This is the fine jewelry antidote, featuring an on-trend kitschy shape courtesy of the heart-shaped, lab-created citrine, plus wavy enamel over 14-karat yellow gold. Part of Alison Lou’s new “Groovy” collection, it sells for $2,575.
New York—Alison Lou’s brand-new fine jewelry collection, “Groovy,” is inspired by tropes of the 1960s and 1970s, but it somehow feels most at home with the current Y2K resurgence.
Fashion’s current obsession with the 1990s and early 2000s is at its peak, with the spring/summer 2022 runways feeling like a blast from the very recent past.
Brands like Versace and Chanel need only reference their playbooks from the first time around, while newer tastemakers like Jacquemus and Kim Shui have been leading the era’s resurgence, making it their own.
SEE: Fashion’s Y2K Obsession
Fashion’s current obsession with the 1990s and early 2000s is at its peak, with the spring/summer 2022 runways feeling like a blast from the very recent past.
Brands like Versace and Chanel need only reference their playbooks from the first time around, while newer tastemakers like Jacquemus and Kim Shui have been leading the era’s resurgence, making it their own.
SEE: Fashion’s Y2K Obsession
Embed from Getty Images
Gen Z is easily the consumer demographic most enamored with these decades, having not experienced them as adults, or even at all. In terms of jewelry, we’ve seen lots of symbols like yin yangs and butterflies re-emerge from the early 2000s archives, mostly in costume form.
Wavy lines are on-trend. Here, they pay homage to all things psychedelic in the 1960s and ‘70s. These 14-karat gold “Trippy” huggies feature a mash-up of colorful enamel ($1,895).
A simple, joyful flower motif matches fashion’s current optimism. This multi-color enamel and 14-karat yellow gold band sells for $1,485. There are also peace sign and yin yang versions.
This custom date ring in 14-karat yellow gold features hand-painted tie-dye enamel and white diamonds ($2,970).
A 14-karat gold, pearl, diamond, and enamel “Magic Shroom” earring ($1,150)
But Gen Z is digitally native, so the symbols the demographic group favors have dovetailed with emojis, with smiley faces ubiquitous across not just jewelry but all manner of clothing and accessories. Add in unisex pearls—we’ll call it the Harry Styles effect—and that’s Gen Z jewelry in a nutshell.
Alison Lou is more tapped into these trends than any brand in fine jewelry.
Designer Alison Chemla successfully launched her brand on the novelty of emoji jewelry, and expanded into lots of happy, easy-to-understand color and more tongue-in-cheek items like studs and pendants depicting pasta.
This playful luxury epitomizes today’s young, fashionable consumer, and in the “Groovy” collection, Chemla again taps into her innate sense of what’s culturally relevant, rather than relevant in the fine jewelry niche (though her interpretation of the former guides the latter among her contemporaries).
In the “Groovy” collection, Alison Lou has debuted a new 1960s-esque font, seen in this 14-karat gold, diamond, and enamel initial necklace ($1,075).
The “Funky Flower” necklace features ombre enamel over 14-karat gold and an opal center stone ($3,775).
Less-than-stellar-quality costume versions of yin yang drop hoop earrings abound. Here’s Alison Lou’s 14-karat gold and enamel antidote ($425). There are also lots of yin yang and peace sign stud earrings and pendants in the collection.
A mix of symbols that star in the “Groovy” collection are pictured here in enamel on a 14-karat gold band ($1,485)
That means winding, wiggly-shaped stacking rings and hoop earrings, as well as winding rivers of pop-of-color enamel on wide bands and huggie hoops, called the “Trippy” pattern. (To me it feels right at home with the undulating curves and soft arches so relevant now in interiors.)
The psychedelic mood continues with 1960s-inspired florals with gorgeous ombre enamel, a peace sign pendant hero piece, and exquisite hand-painted “tie-dye” ombre. There is also a new range of initial jewelry in a delightful 1960s-esque font.
Yin yangs, peace signs, mushrooms, and simple florals—essentially, today’s biggest nail art trends—abound, as stud earrings, pendants, bracelets, and repeated motifs across wide band rings.
The enamel technicolor palette is totally in line with Alison Lou, which has massively embraced enamel from its inception.
The psychedelic mood continues with 1960s-inspired florals with gorgeous ombre enamel, a peace sign pendant hero piece, and exquisite hand-painted “tie-dye” ombre. There is also a new range of initial jewelry in a delightful 1960s-esque font.
Yin yangs, peace signs, mushrooms, and simple florals—essentially, today’s biggest nail art trends—abound, as stud earrings, pendants, bracelets, and repeated motifs across wide band rings.
The enamel technicolor palette is totally in line with Alison Lou, which has massively embraced enamel from its inception.
The “Peace and Love” necklace is a collection hero piece. It’s made in 14-karat yellow gold with multicolor enamel and diamonds ($3,255).
“The Ultimate Groovy Pearl Necklace” in 14-karat gold with freshwater pearls, enamel, and diamond and gemstone beads ($12,970)
“All You Need” necklace in 14-karat gold with hand-painted tie-dye enamel ($1,640)
Rounding out the collection are pearl necklaces and bracelets interspersed with enamel beads highlighting the aforementioned motifs.
“Groovy” couldn’t get any more on-trend, so expect to see pop stars and influencers donning these pieces in lots of magazine editorials soon.
It’s about time Gen Z had some real jewelry to aspire to buy.
More on Editors
The Latest
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
