Jewelry Trends Right Now Are All About Escaping Tradition: Brooches, Sculptural Earrings, and Charm Stacking

Earring Trends: Sculptural

Like general trends in jewelry, stacking is still popular when it comes to earrings. For this one, the more piercings in your ear, the better. Designer and founder of her own namesake like Jenny Bird is also seeing that statement earrings, particularly oversized and sculptural ones, are some of the most popular right now.

“Think big, eye-catching estate earrings that are usually one chunk of sculptural metal. The key is getting the look in a lightweight style you can wear all day,” she says, adding a note on the importance of comfort. Her brand’s puffy heart earrings channel this, as do her shapely Colette hoops. Another fashion insider favorite includes Alexis Bittar’s crumpled gold pair.

Stacking Is Still Queen

Stacking is more of a technique than a trend when it comes to jewelry, as the look has stayed consistently present for the past several years. But, it has evolved since: Rather than mixing the same bangles from one jeweler, for instance, approach stacking with the aim to mix complementary but distinctly different pieces. 

“Jewelry in general is all about creating a dynamic mix of textures, widths, and designs that complement each other without feeling overwhelming,” James notes.

Jewelry That Complements Winter Clothes

Though jewelry tends to be a rather seasonless accessory, there are some types that work better during winter versus summer, for example, simply because of logistic reasons. Something very detailed and jagged might snag and damage knitwear. This is why James recommends being mindful of using structured and smoother pieces of jewelry in the winter to avoid ruining any sweaters or scarves.

Bird adds that bracelets and cuffs can accentuate movement and look stylish when worn over something like a fitted sweater or turtleneck sleeve. Defaïence’s gold-coated copper cuff is perfect for this.

James favors cutout jewelry during cooler months, including his own mirror charm that has an open design, which “frames the fabric of whatever garment you’re wearing underneath, making it perfect for layering over a sweater. It’s a subtle yet striking way to elevate winter outfits with a touch of meaningful design,” he tells The Quality Edit.

The Diamond Debate: Natural Versus Lab Grown

Jewelry in recent years has been characterized by a great debate on diamonds, particularly on whether or not lab-grown diamonds are a worthy substitute for natural ones. While lab-grown diamonds offer an alternative rock free of the labor concerns associated with the natural diamond industry, there is also something profoundly and psychologically enticing about having the “real” thing. James predicts that, driven by technological advances, tastes are skewing the opposite.

“I believe we’ll see a trend toward natural diamonds over lab-grown ones. As our world becomes increasingly digital, efficient, and focused on perfection, I think people will crave something real—something with a story and a sense of connection to the earth. There’s a beauty in knowing a diamond has taken millions of years to form, with its unique inclusions and imperfections telling its own tale,” he says of the “perfectly imperfect” stone, which he uses across his designs.

Men’s Biggest Jewelry Trend: Brooches

Men’s jewelry tends to be pretty boring, compared to what women wear and compared to all the attention on men’s watches. However, over recent years, men’s jewelry trends have skewed more experimental, from wearing more pearls to flaunting little hoop earrings. The latest obsession? Brooches.

The once-practical fashion item is getting a makeover, particularly for formal and black-tie events. Men at the Golden Globes like Adam Brody and Colman Domingo proudly flaunted the look. To try wearing a brooch, it’s okay to reserve it for fancier nights out, but the accessory also works well for a semi-casual ensemble, “especially styled in interesting ways like in place of a button on a blazer or on the collar of a turtleneck or collared shirt,” Bird says.

Custom and Personalized Wedding Bands for Men

The same way men are getting more experimental with day-to-day jewelry through pearls and brooches, there is also a trend towards selectivity when it comes to wedding bands. Rather than sticking with the classic (and rather character-less) band, grooms are choosing something a little more expressive. James is seeing “a growing interest in custom and personalized wedding bands for men, reflecting a broader shift toward individuality in bridal and engagement. Couples are moving away from traditional designs and opting for rings that truly represent their story.” 

More than personalizing through something like an engraving, custom wedding bands can also use non-conventional materials or unique placements for traditional mixes of precious metals and gemstones. For options here, shoppers can look to retailers like Blue Nile, Angara, and James Allen for customizable men's wedding band options.

Regardless of which jewelry trend you favor, each one has a unique way of elevating and drawing out your personal style. That’s, after all, part of what has made this accessory so appealing for hundreds of thousands of years.