Banish the tiny gems! Bold, colorful, whimsical jewelry makes your arrival on any stage a fashion statement.

How to achieve the look? Remember The Graduate? Plastics.

Let Lucite be your new quartz. You have a resin de vivre.

We the heart watch necklace ($20) -- just in time for Valentines Day -- at www.fredflare.com. And we really the Alexis Bittar acrylic necklaces at Saks (www.saksfifthavenue.com) not to mention the cute plaid hand-painted acrylic bangles.

Call it prison chic: chains and cuffs. Check out Target (www.target.com) for a white Lucite chain (they call it circle link) necklace for $34.99, then head to Urban Outfitters (www.urbanoutfitters.com) in Montclair for a choice of cool inexpensive cuffs, some Lucite, some carved, others hand-painted wood.

Two other trends to watch: The BIG ring. The return of clip-ons.

In rings, size does matter. Small finger, big ring. Decorate your digits with big gaudy Kenneth Jay Lane cocktail rings (www.maxandchloe.com).

Painfully weighty, but with orb-like charm, clip-on earrings are no longer just for anchorwomen. See www.forzieri.com for a nice collection of high end, very classy crystal clip-ons. Or go vintage with Fine Catch Antiques in the Red Bank Antiques Center (www.rubylane.com/shops/lovetobuy/item/3-0027). Take that earring off before it crashes into your cellphone!

So many choices for materials and designs. Vintage and modern looks, blended and contrasted. You can create your own treasure chest and look like a star. Best of all, it’s easy on your plastic!