The jewellery world changes every year, driven by a number of different trends, ideas and desires.
Whilst this does not strictly affect bespoke jewellery per se, wider trends often provide inspiration for people to either borrow from or flatly reject, so it is something that we pay attention to and find rather interesting.
The year 2026 is shaping up to be particularly interesting, judging by the trends that are likely to set its tone.
Is Chunky Jewellery Back In Style?
After over a decade of stealth wealth and minimalist quiet luxury dominating the market, maximalism is back in a huge way.
Chunky bangles, heavy chokers and impactful sculptured pieces have replaced thin chains and subtle pendants, as the desire to make a statement and use jewellery to define an outfit has outweighed more modest designs.
In particular, chunky gold rings are back in style, which allows for some incredibly creative sculpting, etching and gemstone inserts.
In some respects, the rise of the signet ring foreshadowed this; whilst there are thinner bands and more subtle designs, the need for a large surface for the seal itself meant that it was inherently chunky, and the increased flaunting of such a stylish piece was a sign of the time.
Is This The Era Of Mixed Metal Jewellery?
Whilst there will probably never be a time when gold is not the dominant precious metal in jewellery, there is a clear increase in popularity of the cooler tones and unique shades afforded by mixed metals.
Part of the reason for this is the resurgence of layering and stacking (more on that below), but another part is that the conventional rules of wearing jewellery and sticking to one colour or one style are blurring and bending in an age where personality and statement are so much more important.
Interestingly, rose gold has declined in popularity, largely replaced by silver as the cool, striking jewellery metal of choice.
Has Colour Made Its Long-Awaited Return In Jewellery?
Along with the fall of thin, minimalist design pieces, there is a distinct return to bright and colourful gemstones, rich in shimmering dispersion and fire and full of bright, meaningful colour.
Birthstones have never truly gone away, but bright gemstones have returned as a key way to express one’s personality and everything that matters to them. With a rise in statement jewellery more broadly, it is perhaps unsurprising that the stones set within will also contain a meaningful message.
Whilst the most popular colours are opal and sapphire, emerald and amethyst have also become strikingly popular. Surprisingly, so have jet and onyx, with black gemstones capturing the imagination and the mood of the moment, seeking a shimmering light in the midst of the darkness.
Is The Best Jewellery Meaningful?
One of the reasons why we love bespoke jewellery is that it allows us to convey the most meaning possible into a single piece, and whilst statements and designs are getting bolder, the messages they are conveying are still rich in personal meaning.
Pendant lockets, birthstones, custom pieces with names and layered keepsakes keep resonating with people, and whilst the medium might have changed slightly, the importance of the message certainly has not.
Whilst seen as a trend, personalisation is such an important part of how we wear jewellery that it is hard to see a year when jewellery becomes entirely functional and meaningless.
Has Stacking And Layered Jewellery Made A Return?
A Y2K fashion favourite, stacking and layering rings, cuffs, bracelets and necklaces has made a distinct comeback as a way to combine multiple styles, materials, metals and inspirations to create a curated, personal collection.
This creates a style built on the principle of having it all; you can have chunky, layered bangles and charm bracelets on the same wrist, or multiple rings of different designs and metals that have a greater meaning when put together.
Is Art Deco Making A Comeback?
Art Deco was a remarkable period of jewellery design where artisans stopped asking what was possible and instead used modern techniques to craft impossible designs that seemed to come from a much better future.
Art Deco, sculptured jewellery, and heritage jewellery have all made comebacks in recent years as a way to connect to the past, and this trend is likely to continue into next year.
How Do Jewellery Trends Affect Bespoke Jewellery?
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They create inspiration for people to draw from in their own designs.
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They showcase what is possible in terms of aesthetics and functionality.
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They highlight the types of materials that people want their pieces to be made from.
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They often lead to substantial adjustments to heirloom jewellery to more closely meet these trends.