The Biggest Jewellery Trends Predicted for 2026

Fashion shifts quickly, but jewellery tends to reflect both where culture is and where it's heading. A glance at global runways and jewellery shows suggests that 2026 may be a year where tradition meets experimentation in striking new ways. Pieces are expected to be bolder, more colourful, and more personal, while sustainability and technology shape how jewellery is designed and worn.

Recent industry insights highlight a steady rise in spending on unique and expressive jewellery. Coloured gemstones and mixed metals are also gaining momentum across markets. These shifts signal that jewellery lovers are moving beyond minimal staples to pieces that tell stories about their own unique personal style, identity, heritage, and values.

For anyone updating their collection, the big question is: What jewellery trends will define 2026? While keeping your collection on trend, you'll also want to include some pieces that feel timeless. Together, we'll uncover the core styles, emerging materials, and designs predicted to shape the year ahead so you can decide whether to lean into pearls, experiment with sculptural silhouettes, or incorporate recycled metals into your evolving collection.

Core Jewellery Trends for 2026

Pearls with a Twist

Although some may imagine pearls as inherited from the roaring 1920s, they aren't fading into the background in the 2020s. In fact, they're evolving. Instead of the classic round and polished look, you'll see organic, irregular forms making their way into both everyday and statement pieces.

Popular designers are pairing them with gemstones, metals, or unexpected textures, creating pearls that feel modern and, importantly, inclusive. You'll spot them in everything from traditional strands to strikingly bold, gender-neutral designs.

For more on pearls through the ages, read: The Role of Jewellery in Pop Culture and Fashion History.

Rise of Colourful Gemstones

If diamonds are forever, coloured diamonds are the future. Hues like champagne, pink, grey, and gold are set to feature prominently in 2026, giving collectors more room to express their personality. Alongside these, classic coloured gems such as emeralds, sapphires, and rubies are stepping back into the limelight. They're not only eye-catching but also symbolic, allowing wearers to express their individuality through colour.

Jewellery trends 2026 may highlight colourful diamonds in champagne, pink, and golden hues as alternatives to white stones.

Innovative Settings

Settings are taking their turn in the spotlight. Bezel and hidden-halo mounts are back, offering both security and clean design lines. Mixed-metal settings are also on the rise, adding depth and modern edge to classic silhouettes. The mix appeals to anyone who wants their pieces to be practical yet carry a distinctive aesthetic.

Curious which styles complement your skin tone or wardrobe? Take a look at: How to Choose Jewellery That Complements Your Skin Tone.

Two-Tone and Mixed Metals

With gold prices climbing, jewellers are experimenting with mixed-metal designs. The combination of silver, platinum, or alternative metals with gold isn't just a cost solution; it's a creative one. These two-tone looks make layering easier and give collectors more freedom to blend new pieces into existing collections without worrying about colour clashes.

Chunky and Sculptural Silhouettes

Delicate minimalism is fading into the background. What's coming forward are bold, sculptural forms with chunky rings, oversized hoops, and asymmetrical designs that feel more like wearable art than accessories. These pieces carry stories, serving as conversation starters and a means of creative self-expression.

Sculptural rings and earrings may dominate 2026 as a form of wearable art.

Nature-Inspired and Organic Designs

Designers in 2026 are expected to draw inspiration from the natural world as their muse. We'll see vine motifs, wave-inspired bands, and clustered gemstones echoing organic patterns.

These earthy textures feel deeply authentic and grounded, a nod to sustainability and a more conscious approach to luxury. They tie heritage-inspired craftsmanship with modern design, offering pieces that feel both timeless and timely.

Want to see how artistry and jewellery intersect? Explore our guide Creative Jewellery: The Intersection of Art and Craftsmanship.

Engagement and Bridal Jewellery Trends

Vintage-Inspired Designs

Engagement rings in 2026 are leaning into nostalgia with a contemporary edge. Step-cut diamonds, such as emerald, Asscher, and baguette, are gaining momentum, celebrated for their clean lines and understated elegance. Many designers are also revisiting Art Deco motifs, blending geometric symmetry with pared-back modern settings. The result is a look that feels timeless yet fresh, appealing to couples who want a ring that nods to history without feeling old-fashioned.

Coloured Gems and Specialty Cuts

Couples are also broadening their horizons beyond the classic white diamond. Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are becoming centrepieces, joined by less conventional shapes such as radiant, shield, and antique cushions. These stones and cuts are sought out for their individuality and symbolism, perfect for those who want their ring to reflect something deeply personal rather than strictly traditional.

Curious about building a collection that mixes the classic with the contemporary? See: Curating Your Own Jewellery Collection: A How-To Guide.

Lab-Grown Diamonds on the Rise

Lab-grown diamonds continue to carve out a strong presence in the bridal jewellery market. Their appeal lies in affordability, accessibility, and the perception of sustainability. Younger couples, in particular, are showing interest in pieces that align with transparent sourcing values while still offering sparkle and longevity. This trend is shaping how value and luxury are defined in 2026, shifting the conversation from origin to experience.

Definition: Lab-grown diamonds are created using advanced technology that replicates the conditions under which natural diamonds form in the earth. Chemically and visually, they are the same as mined diamonds, though their origins and market value differ.

Technology, Ethics, and Sustainability

Responsible Sourcing and Circularity

Luxury isn't only defined by sparkle anymore. For 2026, conversations around jewellery are turning to where materials come from and how they're reused. Recycled metals, reclaimed stones, and transparent supply chains are shaping the way jewellers design and sell their collections. Circular jewellery practices, where old pieces are redesigned, resold, or repurposed for reuse, are gaining traction among buyers who care about reducing waste while still investing in something beautiful and meaningful.

Sustainability is no longer framed as a niche; it's becoming part of the expectation, especially in high-end jewellery markets. Whether it's gold traced to responsible mines or a ring crafted from recycled platinum, the demand for ethical sourcing is influencing design choices at every level.

For more on aligning values with value, see: Sustainable and Ethical Jewellery Practices in Australia.

Tech-Infused Jewellery

Technology is beginning to weave itself into the jewellery space in surprising ways. Think interactive rings that double as discreet wearable tech, 3D printed earrings with holographic accents, or necklaces that respond to light and movement. These high-tech touches may blur the line between fashion and function, offering jewellery that feels as at home in a gallery as it does in a digital showcase.

We may even see collaborations between jewellery houses and tech brands, bringing together artisanship with innovation. Imagine a heritage jeweller working alongside a wearable-tech company to create pieces that are both heirloom-worthy and digitally connected. It's jewellery as both adornment and interface, pointing to a future where luxury and technology evolve in tandem.

Insuring Your On-Trend Jewellery Collection

As you refresh your jewellery collection for 2026, it's worth thinking not only about what to buy but also how to keep those new pieces accounted for. Pearls, coloured gemstones, and mixed-metal designs may become the stars of your wardrobe, but their value can add up quickly, both financially and sentimentally.

Specialist jewellery insurance may be an option to explore if you'd like cover that reflects how you actually wear your pieces. Unlike some home or travel policies, which may include sub-limits or exclusions, specialist cover may extend to scenarios like accidental loss, damage, or worldwide wear, depending on the policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

Providers such as JewelCover may also include features like:

• The option to return to your preferred jeweller for repairs or replacements.

• Annual revaluations to keep insured values in line with market shifts (which matter if gold or gemstone prices rise).

• Worldwide cover that recognises jewellery isn't worn only at home.

If your jewellery collection is growing, whether with a sculptural statement ring, a vintage-inspired engagement ring, or silver-and-gold layering chains, it may be worth considering how insurance could complement your collection. Getting an indicative quote is usually straightforward, especially if you already have receipts, valuations, or certificates on hand.

Insuring Your Trending Jewellery Collection

Jewellery trends for 2026 are set to celebrate individuality, colour, and innovation. From pearls in unexpected shapes to sculptural silhouettes and ethically sourced materials, the pieces emerging on runways and in ateliers reflect a shift towards jewellery that is both personal and expressive.

What stands out is the way jewellery is evolving into more than an adornment. It is becoming a canvas for identity, creativity, and values, whether through bold gemstones, recycled metals, or designs that weave heritage with contemporary style.

As you update your own collection, it may also be worth exploring jewellery insurance through providers like JewelCover, so that your investment in style and sentiment is safeguarded for years to come. Get an indicative quote from JewelCover today.