5 Jewelry Trends That Are Firmly Outdated In 2024

The iconic Elizabeth Taylor very aptly professed that "jewelry has the power to be the one little thing that makes you unique." It's like the icing on the cake: Jewelry complements your ensemble and makes you stand out, adding your own personal touch that makes you simply unlike anyone else. However, even though each person has their own style that they like to accentuate via jewelry and accessories, fashion trends often dictate our choices. Nobody wants to be seen wearing pieces that are so last season, and although we embrace our individuality and personal flair, we do like to follow the latest dernier cri crazes, be it in clothes, shoes, or jewelry.

As we bid 2023 adieu and welcomed 2024, we also had to ditch some of the previous season's favorites. From tortoiseshell to plastic jewelry, these are the ones we are waving goodbye to for now and putting back in our drawers for later (because trends return in a circular fashion, and who knows when these outdated trends will claw their way back into being vogue).

Decadent large and colorful beads made a comeback in 2022 and remained popular in 2023, but it's time to replace them with black gems, which are 2024's latest jewelry trend. Vibrantly colored beaded bracelets, anklets, earrings, and necklaces were once a huge part of our accessorizing regime, but not anymore. It's time to leave the trend behind and opt for subtler statement pieces that will elevate our garments without being obscenely loud.

The trend of matching your jewelry is definitely out. Gone are the days when we would see pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, and pearl bracelets in one outfit, all in the name of balanced coordination. We are not telling you to ditch your favorite pieces entirely; wear them if you must, but don't wear them like a matching uniform. Mix and match your accessories to create a more unique look that will make you stand out from the crowd — in a good way!

Tortoiseshell jewelry was huge in 2019, which may have influenced the return of acetate tortoiseshell sunglasses in 2022. Statement earrings sporting the instantly recognizable pattern, larger-than-life necklaces with tortoiseshell geometrical shapes, and extravagant bangles made up our fashion-forward choices through these years. However, the new year is seeing pearls as the official jewelry trend, so it's time to ditch the tortoiseshell for the quiet luxury and understated elegance of these white precious stones.

We're sorry to say it, but plastic jewelry won't be part of any it-girl ensembles this year, as we're seeing a shift towards more natural, one-of-a-kind jewelry. As such, mass-produced, generic-looking, cheaper designs are moving to the back burner. The allure of these pieces, which fashion vlogger Annareid describes as "cookie cutter," is long gone as we move toward more unique pieces. So, for 2024, embrace the elegance of materials like gold and silver and precious or semi-precious gemstones to add charm to your ensemble.

The fashion landscape witnessed the resurgence of chain necklaces in 2023. From long chains to shorter ones to layered chains embellished with precious stones, this style was all that in the past year. However, a closer look at the high-end collections of houses like Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton will show that the choker is stepping into the limelight, casting aside its chain counterpart. We have Margot Robbie to thank for this movement, who sported a pearl-style choker during the "Barbie" premiere and thus paved the way for the latest '90s-inspired jewelry trend to return to prominence.