Although winter is just around the corner, it's never too early to start thinking about the warmer weather ahead and the trends that will accompany the welcome change. Like spring itself, the upcoming colors for 2008 are bright, cheerful and are greatly anticipated by jewelry connoisseurs everywhere.

Did you know that jewelry has been a widely prized accessory for many years? In fact, it has even been used to adorn crowns. In modern times, jewelry has become a staple in the world of fashion that has grown in popularity with each passing year. As the 2008 spring and summer season approaches, jewelry lovers will see shades of pink come into style in a big way. This means that pink topaz, rose quartz and even pink pearls will be popular picks for the upcoming spring and summer months.

A trend implies something that is turning in a specific direction, or something that is changing. As the new year approaches, jewelry lovers can expect to see some neutral tones in jewelry. Citrine, grey pearls, lemon quartz and champagne diamonds will be smart picks for those who want to be in with the trends. When it comes to diamonds, one affordable alternative may be champagne or chocolate cubic zirconia, which is recognized as the finest diamond simulant in the world. This popular manmade stone is created to mimic a flawless diamond, which would be a significant investment in the world of jewelry. When recreated in cubic zirconia, the look of a diamond becomes affordable and achievable for many women.

Among a handful of remaining popular color choices for the upcoming spring and summer of 2008 are blue, which makes blue topaz and aquamarine a fun way to make a colorful statement in fashion. In addition, hues of purple will lend to the popularity of amethyst while shades of green will add even more value to the already desirable peridot gemstone.

If you're in the market for something hot next summer, any of the above choices will make the season even brighter for you and anyone you may choose to give the gift of jewelry. If you can't quite afford the genuine gemstones, you can find terrific deals in the colors of cubic zirconia. Not only is this stone created to imitate a natural diamond, but it can also be colored to mimic a variety of other popular gemstones, including those mentioned in this article. Shopping for accessories is always fun, but it's an even greater experience if you have the knowledge to snag some hot picks at a great price for the upcoming season.

If, on the other hand, you are someone who buys only what she likes and doesn't cater to current trends, you can still enjoy knowing what's in fashion for the upcoming season. If you already own blue topaz, aquamarine, citrine, pearls or even cubic zirconia featuring the champagne color, you can take great pride in knowing that your choices in jewelry are those that everyone will be searching for this summer. And if you're looking to add more pieces to your collection, there's no better time to find a wide selection of jewelry featuring your favorite colors and gemstones than when they are a part of the upcoming trends.