Elle's March issue features big, colorful rings while alluding to the return of color on the clothing fashion runways. The messages the article sends: big rings are back; color is back in jewelry (after a blizzard of diamonds and platinum) as well as in clothing and stones that are suspended openly in metal rather than deeply bezel-set look the most modern to Elle's editors.

Though the rings featured here are definitely more fashion-forward than most conservative jewelry store customers would probably be interested in, don't underestimate the power of the big fashion magazines to subtly influence your customers with the size, color and settings of gemstones. Your customer may still go for the traditionally-cut center stone ring, but she may show more interest in a bigger stone, a more colorful one or a higher setting.

Celebrity note: The ring pictured on bottom left was designed by Jade Jagger, daughter of Mick and Bianca, who earns our Paloma Picasso prize (for celebrities' daughters who make jewelry).

- by Peggy Jo Donahue