The Must-Know Jewelry Trends For 2026

For 2026, we’re going back to black. Glossy onyx is trending once more – not only is it a delectable gemstone for the remaining weeks of the party season, but it also makes a timeless addition to any fine-jewelry collection in 2026 and beyond. The A-list is somewhat behind the gem’s resurgence, as Jennifer Lawrence was recently spotted sporting a gleaming pair of onyx drop earrings – look to David Yurman for a similarly classic design – while Dakota Johnson wore a string of bold onyx beads to the Red Sea Film Festival. L’Atelier Nawbar’s ‘Bond Street’ necklace harnesses the gemstone to riff on shadow and shine, pairing stark onyx with ethereal mother of pearl, while Yvonne Léon’s now-iconic ‘Alliance’ ring contrasts onyx’s inky finish with glittering pavé diamonds.

While the winter season calls for glitzy, larger-than-life party jewels, come January, we tend to err towards less ostentatious styles. Scale down supersized diamonds and choose pieces that will add subtle accents of scintillation for every day – they also make the perfect understated partner to spring/summer ’26’s penchant for color-blocked separates in primary hues. Jennifer Meyer has perfected the ultimate understated tennis bracelet featuring 1.80 carats of petite and pretty diamonds (albeit no one said you can’t wear two at a time), while Persée’s yellow-gold chain gleams with a singular pierced diamond that adds just a subtle twinkle. If 2026 is the year you start building a serious fine-jewelry collection, then your first investment piece is a cinch: the ‘DB Classic’ diamond and platinum studs by De Beers are simple, chic and eternally elegant.

Chokers have enjoyed a steady revival over the past few years, and the award season delivered some standout choker-chic moments from the likes of Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Elle Fanning, to name just a few. In 2026, however, a statement choker is the It piece to pair with every outfit you own. No longer the preserve of eveningwear ensembles, a gold choker such as Tabayer’s ‘Oera’ design will elevate a simple tank top and this season’s straight-leg jeans, while David Yurman’s ‘Sculpted Cable’ style will add shine to spring’s lightweight knitwear. When it comes to accessorizing spring/summer ’26’s sinuous and sheer evening gowns, there are myriad opulent options – from Juju Vera’s ‘Athena’ silver-and-topaz design to Kamyen’s one-of-a-kind diamond-and-onyx creation, which holds an exquisite marquise-cut diamond at its heart.

Beads were also a big hit on the spring/summer ’26 runways, with long swinging necklaces in riotous colors paired with extra-long drop earrings and lashings of bracelets stacked with abandon. The key update to this year’s styling? Apologetic pieces need not apply. For the new season, we will only be sporting extra-large, supersized orbs. Irene Neuwirth’s turquoise and yellow-gold earrings are a straight-to-the-point style, perfect for wearing with pop-art-bright separates, while Marla Aaron and Carolina Bucci explore tonal hues in their signature ‘Stoned Chubby Droplock’ necklace and ‘East Village’ bracelet designs respectively. Make turquoise the gemstone that instantly shifts you into styling mode with Ananya’s signature ‘Chakra’ bracelet, or turn to Irene Neuwirth’s chrysoprase tassel necklace for a particular hue that speaks of palm trees and exotic seas now that spring vacations aren’t too far off the horizon.