Sterling silver jewelry has a look and purpose all its own, regardless of the price of gold. Silver jewelry is for entry-level clients and travel jewelry, and it inspires cool thoughts during the heat of summer months. It’s also inexpensive enough to make bold jewelry statements that would break the bank in karat gold.

Traditional silver styles include Balinese-inspired dot motifs, hammered designs, and braided silhouettes set with colored gemstones. And at the dawn of the 00s, diamonds being set into sterling silver—a no-no up until that time in fine jewelry—became a trend not just for value seekers but for lovers of layering. Everybody could afford a piece, and the more you wore, the better it all looked.

Cirari/ Color Jewels

Today, silver jewelry still nods to the past while welcoming the trends of now. Balinese designs remain prolific, and wildly successful jewelry designer brands sold through department stores and select independents are still built on foundation blocks of sterling silver. Sea-life styles also tend to be made in silver, and their prices are right for a take-home souvenir from the myriad vacation spots where they’re often sold.

Perhaps the newest addition to sterling silver collections are lab-grown diamonds, which accomplish an even lower price point than natural diamonds in silver. It’s a natural progression for the category and a no-brainer, given that they’ve been a fixture in bridal for so long.

“We’re putting together a program of silver and lab diamonds,” reveals Mark Funk, vice president of sales and marketing for Cirari and Color Jewels. “I think I can build lab and silver pieces for $79.99 to $129 prices so long as the lab-grown rough continues to fall in price. I believe it will continue to fall within the next 18 months—maybe by 50% or more.”

Some speculate that that fall could hurt its desirability in jewelry stores but could position it for growth in other types of stores. For now, it’s a product for jewelers, who’re also looking to lighter weight silver styles set with gems to keep price points in check.

“We’re doing a whole series in bezel settings in sterling—like two-stone earrings—and we want to grow the category,” adds Funk. “The look is simple, clean, and appeals to a younger crowd, who we’re continually trying to get into stores.”

Marathon is no stranger to the silver category; its renowned Cape Cod-style bracelets are largely made in silver. Many of the brand’s lockets are, too. Plus, in May 2025, Marathon acquired the Kovel Collection, a sterling silver line with inlaid mother-of-pearl, lab-created opal, and “colorful sea life, floral, and nautical designs,” says Barbara Barry, salesperson. Rhodium-finished silver pendants are another big part of those offerings, while interchangeable clasps are offered on their bracelets.

       Marathon

“Our children’s jewelry (Kiddie Craft), lockets, religious jewelry, and Cape Cod bracelets are all predominately silver,” she adds.

Marathon’s most popular lockets are often hearts and ovals in sterling silver. All are engravable, a process made easier by the brand’s Locket Studio, an online design feature that allows customers to upload the images they want to tuck inside their lockets and size them. Then they print them out and pop them inside the locket of their choice.

“It’s a roadblock to purchases—a la, ‘I love the locket but how do I get the picture in there?’” says Barry. “Locket Studio is how—you can even do it on your phone.”