What type of jewelry is sizzling hot in 2014? That’s a key question for anyone contemplating which pieces to sell and which to hang onto – or for those of us just looking to stay on top of the trends.

Sadly, we don’t have a crystal ball that prophesies the future of jewelry trends, but as we sweep past the year’s mid-point, we have a solid read on the jewelry that is currently hotter than July. Here are the top trends we're seeing in hot spots around the globe:

The axiom “all that glitters isn’t gold” is ringing true for a number of investors right now. At the moment, silver has an especially beguiling gleam.

After the spiraling silver prices of the Great Recession ended with a massive slump in 2013, the price of the white metal – with the exception of a temporary rally in early 2014 – has been stable to the point of stagnation. As of this writing, the spot price of silver in New York is $19.46 per troy ounce, where it has been roughly nestled since its high of just over $22 per ounce in April.

The glitter of a beautiful diamond can easily blind us to the reality that before it ended up on our finger, ear or throat, it may have been illicitly sold by rebel groups to fund a brutal war or act of terrorism. Such “blood diamonds” (also called “conflict diamonds”) are believed to be behind the deaths of more than 4 million people in Africa as well as the displacement of millions more.

Thanks to heightened press attention and the blockbuster film Blood Diamond, consumers have grown more aware of the presence of conflict diamonds and are increasingly seeking to purchase diamonds unassociated with bloodshed and war.

Lovers of sparkle, mark your calendars. On November 16, 2014, a dazzling new exhibit will open at the Denver Art Museum, titled: Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th century.

Brilliant will feature 250 tantalizing jewelry pieces, wristwatches, and other decorative objects made by the luxury jewelry house between 1900-1975. Much of these rare and valuable Cartier pieces come from the private collections of luminaries such as Elizabeth Taylor, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Grace, and other celebrities and royals.

Time has run out on this year’s Baselworld but watch enthusiasts are still buzzing about the innovative and creative luxury timepieces unveiled during the show’s week-long run.

For those new to the high-end watch scene, Baselworld is the premier trade show for the international watch and jewelry industry. Every year, over 1,400 of the world’s most dedicated watchmakers and jewelers descend upon Basel, Switzerland to display their latest creations and designs to more than 122,000 chronometer experts, retailers and devotees.