Teenagers are a fickle bunch.
At that stage of physical
and psychological growth,
they are constantly experimenting
with things to improve their
image and their look. Teen
jewelry fashion plays a major
part in the development of
their identity and efforts
to either blend in with the
crowd or establish their own
unique persona. Any parental
endorsement of fashion accessories
is akin to the kiss of death,
and adolescents look to other
influences when it comes to
teen jewelry fashion.
The celebrities that teenagers
see in music videos, television
programs or movie screens
are largely responsible for
dictating trends in teen jewelry
fashion. The oversized, ostentatious
accoutrements favored by rap
musicians have spawned the
hip-hop jewelry trend, and
teenagers have been patronizing
lower-priced but accurate
replicas of celebrity bling
bling. Instead of the diamonds
and other precious gems used
in celebrity jewelry, cheaper
zirconia and base metals are
used for duplicates. Body
jewelry (both the pierced
and non-pierced types) that
is unusually designed and
made with inexpensive materials
has also seen an increase
in teenage patrons.
Beaded jewelry and woven
friendship bracelets and rings
are some of the other hot
trends in teen jewelry fashion.
Many teenagers make these
dress accessories themselves
and give them to friends as
gifts. These are personalized
with beads that have the letters
of the recipient’s name
on them are incorporated into
the woven fibers. Many teenagers
also wear certain types of
jewelry to identify them as
part of a clique or group.
These may take the form of
uniquely designed pendants,
rings or charms that have
spiritual or mystical overtones.
Feminine teen jewelry fashion
styles are also influenced
largely by young celebrities
today. Items worn by teen
stars, such as Hilary Duff’s
slave bracelets, are copied
by her non-celebrity counterparts.
However, whimsical designs
are still hugely popular among
this set of young consumers.
Gold- or silver-plated jewelry
and jewelry that has gemstones
has not lost its following
among teenagers.
Some masculine teen jewelry
fashion trends, on the other
hand, tend to lean more toward
beadwork, silverwork, leatherwork,
and unusual stones. Teenage
guys seem to think that sporty-looking
accessories, such as so-called
surfer-dude necklaces and
arm bands made from bone,
wood, or shell beads on a
rubber or leather cord are
cool. Stainless steel jewelry
is popular with them, too.
Jewelry has been used by
all people throughout history
as marks of beauty or to denote
social status. Adolescents
are not immune to these patterns;
in fact they are probably
even more susceptible to them
because of their need to simultaneously
conform and stand out. Teenage
jewelry fashion is part of
their social arsenal and a
tool in the development process.
