【United Kingd】Coloured Gems, Yellow Gold & Antique Brooches: Designers Reveal The Top Jewellery Trends For 2026

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Editor’s Note

As Anabela Chan highlights, the future of jewellery lies in maximalist designs that prioritise personal joy over fleeting trends. This shift towards vibrant, expressive pieces reflects a broader desire for accessories that uplift and inspire.

Coloured Gems, Yellow Gold & Antique Brooches: Designers Reveal The Top Jewellery Trends For 2026
Mood Boosters

Maximalism sets the tone for the 2026 jewellery box, says Anabela Chan. The award-winning jewellery designer says we’ll be led by designs that bring us joy, rather than chase trends. Think dopamine-inducing colours, shines and shapes – with plenty of room for personality in between.

‘The one thing our customers always look for when purchasing jewellery is the joy factor – uplifting, mood-boosting jewellery that makes you feel confident and empowered,’ notes Anabela. ‘Colourful, vibrant gemstones in rainbow hues and mixed metals have both been popular this season – especially with cocktail earrings and rings – and I predict this trend to continue growing in 2026.’
Coloured Gemstones

It’s no surprise then to see multiple jewellers forecasting another big year for bright, vibrant gemstones.

‘We’re seeing a clear shift toward brighter, characterful gemstones – from fancy yellow diamonds to mint tourmalines – clients are embracing colour as a form of personal expression,’ explains Eliza Walter, founder of Lylie Jewellery.
Woman with arms folded on knee
‘The appreciation of coloured gemstones is expanding, and particularly we are observing a rise in the popularity of large, coloured stones,’ adds Charlie Pragnell, Managing Director at British jeweller Pragnell. ‘Each stone carries meaning and individuality and is a modern expression of timeless design.’

The trend seems to sway more specifically into ring territory, highlights London-based jeweller Kiki McDonough – who has noticed ‘coloured gemstone rings becoming more playful. People are having a bit more fun with their jewellery and choosing pieces that feel expressive and personal.’

‘In part, this feels like a response to an increasingly complex diamond market,’ says Eliza, ‘with the rise of lab-grown stones and pricing fluctuations encouraging customers to explore gemstones that feel distinctive, expressive and less conventional.’
Brooch Revival

Throwback styling is also set to have a moment, especially when it comes to jewellery. The thing to look out for? It has to be a vintage brooch. Spilling off the 2025 runway and into everyday styling for 2026, expect to see the style set swapping their bag charms for a charity shop brooch. (The older, the better.) Pinterest, which launched its annual Predicts report at the end of last year, sees the look proving especially popular amongst men: ‘In 2026, Boomer and Millennial men will punctuate their fits with vintage pins, crystal clip-ons and heirloom brooches. It’s part homage, part reinvention. There’s a new way to wear your heart on your sleeve. Or tie. Or socks.’

‘If your grandma wouldn’t wear it, is it even the vibe?’
Woman clasping hands in front of her
Yellow Gold

A classic for a reason, it seems yellow gold is set to shine once again in 2026.

‘We have seen a transition to yellow gold jewellery over the last few years, particularly to more substantial, chunky gold styles often worn stacked or layered,’ notes Charlie. Think duo-draped necklaces, chunky chains, ring stacks and bangles in sunny shades of gold.
Investment Pieces

And with the value of precious metals only growing – the price of gold is predicted to hit over $5,000 per ounce by the first quarter of 2026 – jewellers predict that shoppers will make more considered purchases, treating their jewellery as investments rather than just one-off trend pieces.

‘The rise and rise of gold and silver prices have also accelerated fine jewellery purchases for their inherent value,’ confirms Anabela. ‘I think we’ll see more people buying jewellery as an investment piece in 2026.’
Woman wearing yellow gold necklaces and earrings
Flexible Designs

With this in mind, other experts highlight the growing demand for jewellery pieces that go further – from day to night, work to dinner, and event to event.

‘It’s a challenging economy and people want fewer, better pieces that work day-to-night and last,’ emphasises Maddy Sangster, founder of B Corp jeweller Heavenly London. ‘I think this is going to be even more apparent over the year ahead. It’s all about modular, personalisable pieces designed to last.’

This is a prediction shared by Kiki, who adds that attitudes are shifting towards greater wearability – and the idea that your ‘best’ can become your ‘everyday’. She notes a ‘continued shift towards fine jewellery being worn everyday. Pieces should be part of your life, rather than objects that collect dust in the jewellery box.’

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⏰ Published on: January 06, 2026