In 2026, jewelry is in full focus. We’ve already charted the major jewelry trends that will define the year—including everything from dome rings to lariats to leather cords—but one category stands apart: colorful gemstone jewelry. We’re seeing more and more evidence that vibrant jewelry will be one of the key accessories to invest in. The styles are finished with blue sapphire, red rubies, green emeralds, yellow diamonds, and even a mix of varying colorful stones. While one specific stone isn't winning out, we are seeing a big shift to the addition of color in the world of jewelry.
Brands, including fashion insider favorites Jessica McCormack and Dorsey, have been leaning heavily into colorful stones. Whether paired with a simple white T-shirt or styled with an elegant evening dress for a black tie event, the pieces are more dominant than ever among style insiders. Ahead, shop our edit of the best colorful gemstone jewelry to add to your collection.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
