Singapore - From bees to beetles, insect-themed jewellery added a buzz to the recent Paris Fashion Week.

British designer Sarah Burton showed a bee-inspired collection for Alexander McQueen, which included a crystal bee neckpiece and tortoise shell bee plexiglass cuff.

At Lanvin, models were adorned with butterfly and dragonfly brooches, while Tory Burch at New York Fashion Week embellished her looks with bejewelled scarab beetles and dragonflies.

Accessories which sport creepy crawlies are not new. Many jewellers, including American jeweller Tiffany & Co and Swiss jewellery and watch label Chopard, have been drawing inspiration from the world of nature.

Ms Chrystean Tan, marketing manager of Tiffany & Co, says: "We have been putting up bee and ladybird designs since our brand was established in the 1870s. These designs are timeless."

But insect-themed bling is gaining popularity, as brands go beyond the usual crowd-pleasing bee and butterfly motifs.

For example, Marni's spring/summer 2013 jewellery collection showcases accessories, such as leather bracelets and necklaces, with quirky wooden insect embellishments, complete with eyes, antennae and wings.

As part of its Tropical Paradise collection launched last month, Swarovski released pendants, a ring and a bracelet adorned with a multi-coloured beetle with two large faceted crystals for wings.

Taka Jewellery, too, carries limited pieces with creepy crawlies such as ants, grasshoppers and spiders.

Over at Dave Fine Jewellery, Ms Rasti Annisa Iwan, its marketing executive, says the home-grown label's bee and spider designs have been selling well since they were launched in 2007 and 2009 respectively.

She says: "Life-like insects may not appeal to some people so we try to make our designs quirky, playful and desirable."

Not all jewellers are jumping on the unusual insect bandwagon, though.

Home-grown brands Citigems, Soo Kee Jewellery and Goldheart carry mostly pieces which bear butterfly designs.

Mr Gary Goh, brand manager of Goldheart, says the market for unconventional insects is small, while butterfly pieces have always been popular.

At least 95 per cent of Goldheart's butterfly-themed jewellery launched in January have been sold, he says.

"The butterfly is a key feminine design which many people like," he adds.

Take Ms Frances Chua, 46, a senior communications manager, who owns jewellery pieces with butterfly, dragonfly and ladybird designs.

"To me, insects such as ants and beetles are not really desirable. I view them more as pests and I would not want to wear a pest as jewellery."

She adds, however, that she might buy the pieces if the motifs are "artistically designed".

The insect theme might find more favour with the fashion crowd, says fashion stylist Jerome Awasthi.

"Unconventional insect jewellery has more of a masculine vibe so it may appeal more to men. But it also works for women who want an edgier look."

Photos: Alphonsus Chern, Boucheron, Chomel, Chopard, Citigems, Dave Fine Jewellery, Goldheart, Mango, Marni, New Look, Pandora, Soo Kee Jewellery, Swarovski Jewellery, Tiffany, Thomas Sabo, Van Cleef and Arpels, Asos.com, www.net-a-porter.com, Venice Jewellery (Australia), Zalora.

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