The Must-Know Jewelry Trends For 2026
Refresh your fine-jewelry collection with covetable pieces that capture the spirit of the moment and the incoming mood, says CHARLIE BOYD
Glossy onyx
For 2026, we’re going back to black. Glossy onyx is trending once more – not only is it a delectable gemstone to pair with eveningwear, but it also makes a timeless addition to any fine-jewelry collection. 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 Sophie Buhai for a similarly classic design – while Dakota Johnson wore a string of bold onyx beads to the Red Sea Film Festival. Foundrae’s ‘Ever Growing’ necklace harnesses the gemstone all around the yellow-gold chain for a very striking statement, while Yvonne Léon’s now-iconic ‘Alliance’ ring contrasts onyx’s inky finish with glittering pavé diamonds.
SOPHIE BUHAIMedium Angelyne onyx and pearl earrings
YVONNE LÉONAlliance 9-karat gold, onyx and diamond ring
DAVID YURMANAlbion® 18- karat gold, onyx and diamond ring
FOUNDRAEEver Growing Vivacity 18-karat gold onyx necklace
Understated diamonds
While the party season calls for glitzy, larger-than-life 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 2026’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.
JENNIFER MEYER4-Prong small 18-karat white gold diamond tennis bracelet
PERSÉE18-karat gold diamond necklace
ANITA KOZara 18-karat gold diamond ring
DE BEERSDB Classic platinum diamond earrings
Oxblood jewels
Monochrome dressing dominated the spring/summer ’26 runway, with black-and-white-centric collections at Calvin Klein Collection and Saint Laurent making us all want to reach for checkerboard-inspired separates. While white diamonds and mixed metals will effortlessly complement a pared-back palette, for those who can’t survive without a splash of color, oxblood jewels are the bold tone to turn to this year. For a subtle nod to liven up your earstack, sprinkle in some rouge-hued garnet huggies by Stone and Strand, or Victorian-inspired ruby hoops by Lucy Delius. Jia Jia’s vast repertoire of semi-precious crystals is a stalwart choice when you want to inject a jolt of color to an existing stack, and its garnet beads will make an audacious addition to yellow-gold bangles and bracelets. Marlo Laz’s ‘Starburst’ necklace similarly heroes a garnet center stone, but its pendant can be easily unclipped and switched to another charm as you move through the year.
STONE AND STRANDStudio 10-karat gold garnet hoop earrings
JIA JIAGold garnet bracelet
LUCY DELIUSChubby rhodium-plated 14-karat gold ruby hoop earrings
MARLO LAZStarburst 14-karat gold, rhodium-plated, diamond and garnet necklace
Statement chokers
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 Anita Ko’s ‘Arrow’ style will add shine to spring’s lightweight knitwear. When it comes to accessorizing spring/summer’s sinuous and sheer evening gowns, there are myriad opulent options – from Juju Vera’s ‘Athena’ silver-and-topaz design to Tabayer’s solid gold creation, which is a minimalist take on Inanna’s knot – the ancient Mesopotamian symbol of wisdom and protection.
TABAYEROera 18-karat gold choker
ANITA KOArrow 18-karat gold diamond choker
JUJU VERAAthena silver topaz necklace
DAVID YURMANSculpted Cable 18-karat gold diamond necklace
Supersized beads
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 Jia Jia’s ‘Happy Buddha’ necklace for a particular hue that speaks of palm trees and exotic seas now that spring vacations aren’t too far off the horizon.
IRENE NEUWIRTHGumball Puffed Huggies 18-karat gold turquoise earrings
MARLA AARONStoned Chubby Droplock 14-karat gold, jasper and tourmaline necklace
CAROLINA BUCCIEast Village 18-karat gold, multi-stone and Lurex necklace
ANANYAChakra 18-karat white gold multi-stone bracelet
Vintage-inspired charm
Whether you choose Georgian-inspired burnished-gold settings, Art Deco designs or Postmodern silhouettes, jewels that hark back to yesteryear are trending once more. Speculation swirls as to whether this is down to Taylor Swift, whose vintage-style engagement ring singlehandedly brought the spotlight back on to ornate and decorative designs in 2025. Marlo Laz channels this antique-inspired aesthetic with its ‘Lexie’ morganite ring, which features intricate diamonds on the band, while Nikos Koulis’ bold onyx, emerald and diamond cuff riffs on the satisfying symmetry and geometry of ’20s and ’30s jewels. Fernando Jorge, meanwhile, is a master of precious pieces that feel rooted in history yet simultaneously modern. Its ‘Signal’ jade-and-aquamarine earrings subtly flaunt a little ’60s flair, but their smooth, tactile finish will chime perfectly with spring/summer ’26’s leather jackets and shirts, too.
MARLO LAZLexie 18-karat gold, morganite and diamond ring
NIKOS KOULISOui 18-karat white gold, emerald, diamond and enamel bangle
FOUNDRAEProtection Triskele + Heavy Mixed Belcher 18-karat gold diamond necklace
FERNANDO JORGESignal 18-karat gold diamond, jade and aquamarine earrings
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