For the past few years, so many people seemed to wear the same dainty gold chains and understated studs — but in 2026, that’s being turned on its head.
This year’s jewelry trends are all about bold statements, bright colors, and individuality.
Stylists and jewelers say clients are thinking about their accessories as forms of self-expression. They’re crafting outfits around jewelry, and not the other way around.
“For a while, everything was very quiet luxury, very minimal, and we are starting to see a little bit more personality and fashion,” professional stylist Liz Teich, creator of The New York Stylist, said. “I think 2026 is going to be an exciting year for jewelry.”
So, it’s time to dust off your grandma’s heirlooms and those pendant necklaces from 2012 … and get ready for a year of big, fun, artsy pieces.
Business Insider spoke with three industry experts, including two stylists and a custom jeweler, to get the inside scoop on the trendiest looks for the coming year.
Here’s what they said to look out for.
Colorful gems will be everywhere.
Big, blingy, colorful gems are here to stay and will be a fixture in the jewelry forecast next year.
Emeralds, jade, white sapphires, and other colorful stones are taking center stage. People want “that big, oversize pop of color,” Ali Galgano, a New York and Greenwich-based jeweler and founder of Serpentine Jewels, told BI.
The recent popularity of lab-grown jewels helps make these pieces more affordable and accessible, according to Erin Noël, an LA-based personal and celebrity stylist.
Some people might even take inspiration from runway looks and invest in costume jewelry or lab-grown pieces that look similar.
Beads are hot right now.
Necklaces and bracelets with colorful beads seem to be as popular as ever. This kind of jewelry offers a quick way to add color and texture to an outfit, Noël said.
This trend is reminiscent of the early 2010s, when collar necklaces with chunky beads were huge, Noël added. “I feel like we’re seeing the reiteration of that,” she said.
Brooches are in, too.
In 2025, Teich noticed a lot of people adding brooches and pins to their outfits — either for a little extra flair or to make their clothing look more sculptural in its draping.
This trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down, either.
“I’m trying to get my clients to break out a lot of their grandmother’s brooches [and] vintage pieces, because now is a good time to pile it all on and show some personality and personalization in your jewelry,” Teich said.
Sustainable, vintage picks are on the rise.
The era of quick and cheap jewelry is coming to an end. Stylists believe that shoppers will be much more interested in the sustainability and longevity of the pieces they buy in 2026.
Experts we spoke to said they’re noticing an increased interest in vintage jewelry, which often costs less, is more sustainable, and comes with a story.
Galgano said her clients appreciate the rarity of vintage, and “the sense that no one else will have the exact same piece.”
On the other hand, overt personalized details may be on their way out.
Although people are starting to express more individuality with their everyday looks, that won’t translate to literal personalization in 2026.
“The big, bubbly nameplates and the enamel friendship-style bracelets are cooling off for our client base,” Galgano told BI.
She believes “loud” personalization is becoming a thing of the past, but more subtle touches will be huge this year.
This could look like using a birthstone cluster as a quiet nod to your kids’ birth months, or opting for an engraved piece to honor a special moment in your life.
Say goodbye to understated jewelry.
This year, minimalism will make way for maximalism, according to Noel.
The loud, statement pieces of the early 2010s are making a comeback. Think: mix-and-match earrings with interesting, sculptural shapes, necklaces with unique pendants, chunky cuffs or beaded bracelets, and statement rings.
Stylists, including Teich, predict that short and dainty necklaces will be phased out in favor of chunkier, longer necklaces and layered looks featuring tassels, beads, or pendants.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should get rid of your simple chains and delicate bangles. Instead, try stacking bracelets together or layering different necklaces.
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